GLAAD will honor Atlanta Mayor Kasim
Reed on October 26 at GLAAD Atlanta.
Reed will receive the group's Local
Hero Award, which is given to “an individual who has had an
important impact on the local LGBTQ community.”
Reed was an outspoken opponent of a
proposed Georgia bill which critics say would have allowed businesses
to discriminate against the LGBT community. He also met with leaders
from the Atlanta LGBT community to discuss public safety concerns
after a mass shooting in an Orlando gay bar that left 49 people dead
and injured dozens.
“Mayor Reed has time and again shown
his stalwart support for the LGBTQ community, both in Atlanta and
across the nation,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President &
CEO. “By taking a firm stand against discrimination, he has sent a
clear message of acceptance and set a powerful example for city
leaders around the country.”
GLAAD Atlanta will be hosted by local
radio personality Melissa Carter with a special performance by Grammy
award-nominated country music artist Ty Herndon.
(Related: Country
music artist Brandon Stansell premieres video for Slow
Down
featuring Ty Herndon.)