Jane Lynch

Vanguard Award
The Vanguard Award honors an individual whose life and spirit exemplifies NCLR’s vision and values of equality and justice for all.

Because she is one of the funniest of funny women. Because she takes her art seriously but not herself—and we all get to reap the benefits. Because she has lived an authentic life while simultaneously achieving great success as one of the most well-known television and movie stars of our time. Because her integrity is blazing a path not just for the artists who follow in her footsteps, but for young people everywhere. Because she lives her life with openness to the unexpected, and by doing so met her soul-mate and became a parent long past the time she thought she would. Because while her portrayal of the devious Sue Sylvester is spot-on, her own personality is warm, genuine, and caring.

About Jane
The luminous Jane Lynch first gained fame in well-loved mockumentaries such as "Best in Show" and "A Mighty Wind." Now she is best known for playing the role of Sue Sylvester in the hit television series "Glee" and Julia Child's sister in 2009’s Oscar-nominated film, "Julie and Julia."

Jane was born and raised in Dolton, Illinois. She received her bachelor's degree in theater from Illinois State University and her MFA in theater from Cornell University. After graduation Jane spent over a decade working in Chicago, including acting in the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and, at the time of her audition, was one of only two women picked to join The Second City comedy troupe.

As many NCLR supporters likely remember, Jane also played the role of Joyce Wischnia, a gay-rights attorney, on the hit Showtime series “The L Word.”

Jane has garnered numerous accolades and awards throughout her career. In 2005, she was named as one of POWER UP's "10 Amazing Gay Women in Showbiz." In 2009, she received a Golden Globe nomination for her role on “Glee.” In 2010, Jane won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress - Comedy Series. And in 2011, she was awarded the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Sue Sylvester, and became the third woman to host the Primetime Emmy Awards.

In addition to all of her professional successes, Jane has long been a staunch of supporter of LGBT rights and NCLR, and has always lived her life openly and proudly. When she took on the role of Sue Sylvester in “Glee,” Jane also grew in her role as an advocate and champion for LGBT youth.

In 2009, Jane met her wife of two years, Lara, at NCLR’s 32nd Anniversary Celebration.

Learn more about Jane:
www.Biography.com
www.IMDB.com

Kyrstin S., Dylon F., Brittany G., Damian M., Ebonie R., and Kyle R.

Courage Award
The Courage Award honors individuals who have shown the courage and perseverance to fight for justice and who have sacrificed to make broad social change for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

Because each of these students has demonstrated powerful courage in standing tall against the bullying they have endured. Because by bringing a suit against their school district, they have taken a stand not just for themselves, but for every other student across this country. Because their courage and perseverance is a tribute to the students who have come before them and had lost all hope of being treated with basic human dignity and respect at school. Because they know that while it does get better, they are not satisfied to wait for change and relief to come; they are demanding equality now. Because, as the young people to whom our future is entrusted, they show us all a glimpse of the brighter and bolder horizons that await us.

About Kyrstin, Dylon, Brittany, Damian, Ebonie, and Kyle
These six young students have stood up for themselves, and for those who have suffered in silence, by challenging a district policy that prohibits staff from discussing LGBT issues in class and prevents them from effectively addressing bullying. Students in their school district have been subjected to constant anti-LGBT and gender-based slurs, threats, and assaults, only to have their schools turn a blind eye. In recent years, nine students died by suicide, four of whom were believed to be LGBT and were reportedly bullied. In some instances, school officials told the students who were being harassed to "stay out of people’s way" and, in one occurrence, suggested that a student who was being harassed leave the school because they could not protect him. With the help of these brave young people, NCLR, along with the Southern Poverty Law Center, has brought two lawsuits against the Anoka-Hennepin School District, arguing that the district’s policies and its failure to protect LGBT students from harassment violated the students’ rights under the United States Constitution, Title IX, and the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

Learn more
www.NCLRights.org
www.RollingStone.com

Wilson Cruz

Presenter of the Courage Award

Wilson Cruz is a longtime LGBT rights activist and actor, known for playing Rickie Vasquez on TV's acclaimed "My So-Called Life," which featured an ongoing story line about Rickie being bullied at school for being openly gay. Wilson also portrayed Angel in the Broadway production of RENT, and the recurring character Genito on "Noah's Arc." Wilson has served as an advocate for gay youth, especially gay youth of color. He has volunteered his time as host for the Youth Zone, an online community at Gay.com for LGBT youth. He was the Grand Marshal of the 1998 West Hollywood Gay Pride parade and the 2005 Chicago Pride Parade. In 2008, he was the keynote speaker at the University of Illinois at Chicago's Lavender Graduation and Rainbow Banquet honoring graduating LGBT students. Ever the activist, Wilson has also served as a field organizer for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Learn more about Wilson
www.MetroWeekly.com
www.IMDB.com

Presenter of Vanguard Award

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