GLAAD will honor YouTube star Tyler
Oakley at its Gala San Francisco next weekend.
The event, presented nationally by
Ketel One Vodka, Wells Fargo and Hilton Worldwide and locally by
Southwest Airlines, will be hosted by actor Daniel Franzese (Looking,
Mean Girls).
Oakley will receive GLAAD's
Davidson/Valentini Award, which is presented to an LGBT media
professional who has made a significant difference in promoting
equality and acceptance for the LGBT community. The award is named
after Craig Davidson, GLAAD's first executive director, and his
partner Michael Valentini.
“Tyler Oakley has inspired countless
young LGBT people to embrace who they are and live the lives they
love,” GLAAD CEO and President Sarah Kate Ellis said in a press
release. “As one of YouTube's most recognizable names and a
champion of LGBT youth, he's proven time and again that digital media
plays a crucial role in accelerating acceptance.”
GLAAD Gala San Francisco will take
place Saturday, November 7 and feature a special performance by
Grammy Award-nominated musical artist Ledisi. Additional special
guests include actor Jussie Smollett (Empire) and the cast of
HBO's Looking.