J. Lo To Receive Important Honor

Jennifer Lopez is receiving a new award and it's not for her music or her film roles. Jennifer Lopez will be honored at the GLAAD Media Awards for her work supporting the LGBT community. Lopez will receive the Vanguard Award which, according to the organization's website, "is presented to artists and media professionals who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community." Specifically, Lopez has expressed her beliefs of equal rights and understanding through The Fosters, the ABC Family show she executive produces.

The Fosters follows a lesbian couple raising a family made up of biological, adopted, and foster children. Lopez has said that her inspiration for producing the show comes from her aunt "who faced prejudice because of her sexual orientation and was unable to have her own family," according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Fosters is currently wrapping up its first season.

GLAAD CEO and President Sarah Kate Ellis said of the decision to honor Lopez,

Through her work to bring The Fosters to life and by consistently speaking out as a powerful ally, Jennifer Lopez has not only sent a message of acceptance to LGBT adults and young people, but inspired new support for our community among her many fans around the globe. Family is about love, and that's a message Jennifer has shared with millions through her groundbreaking work on The Fosters.

The GLAAD website goes on to point out that Lopez's message is not only clear through The Fosters, but through her opinions regarding marriage equality. Lopez said, "When it comes to gay marriage, I just believe in love. I believe that when two people find each other and love each other, they should be able to spend their lives together with all the same benefits and privileges as everyone."

Past recipients of the Vangaurd Award include Antonio Banderas, Drew Barrymore, Kristin Chenoweth, Whoopi Goldberg, Josh Hutcherson, Janet Jackson, Eric McCormack, Liza Minnelli, Sharon Stone and Elizabeth Taylor.

The GLAAD Media Awards will be held April 12 at the Beverly Hilton.