In receiving an Ally for Equality Award
from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), actor Joe Manganiello said he
was proud to be an ally to the LGBT community.
Manganiello received the award at
Saturday's 15th annual HRC Seattle Dinner held in downtown
Seattle.
The 37-year-old Manganiello is best
known for playing werewolf Alcide Herveaux on the HBO supernatural
drama True Blood.
“You know, I never set out to be an
advocate,” Manganiello told the crowd. “I'm simply a person who
believes in equality for everyone. And I'm a person who believes in
standing up for his friends.”
“Today I choose to fight for a world
where equality is a reality, not just a dream. And above all else,
to ensure that in the eyes of the law we're all equals.”
“And I am truly humbled and awed by
your collective commitment and I am extremely proud to stand by as
your loyal ally.”
He said he felt a bit “weird” in
accepting an award for his beliefs and supporting his friends.
This award is mine “not because I
think everyone should be treated the same. It's mine because I stood
up and I did something about it,” he said. (The video is embedded
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