Getty ImagesWhen Ellen Page came out as a gay woman last month, she named Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox as one of her inspirations to do so.
And now the Oscar-nominated Juno star will present Cox with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the GLAAD Media Awards next month in L.A. (FYI: The gala's co-chairs include yours truly.)
The Kolzak award is given to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or a transgender media professional who has made a significant contribution in promoting equality. Past recipients include Ellen DeGeneres, Wanda Sykes, Melissa Etheridge, Rufus Wainwright and Sir Ian McKellan.
A transgender woman herself, Cox plays transgender inmate Sophia Burset on OITNB. She is the first trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream scripted television series.
"Laverne Cox has reshaped the way Americans see transgender people and raised the bar in diverse representations of the LGBT community in entertainment," said GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis. "She is not only a talented actress, but a truly transformational leader in the LGBT equality movement. Through her tireless commitment to building understanding and acceptance through education and advocacy, Laverne is moving equality forward both on and off the screen."
Cox first gained attention on the VH1 reality show I Want to Work for Diddy. She went on to produce her own reality show, TRANSform Me.
Just yesterday, she was among the names featured on the second annual Trans 100 list.
The GLAAD Media Awards take place April 12 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. It was announced last week that Jennifer Lopez will receive the Vanguard Award.