Singer Cynthia Erivo honored with GLAAD Award for LGBTQ+ advocacy

Cynthia Erivo, known for her role in “Wicked,” was honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 36th GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday, recognizing an LGBTQ+ media professional who has enhanced visibility and acceptance for the community.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), described as “a non-profit organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ advocacy,” will broadcast the awards ceremony on Hulu on April 12.

“I have spoken about being your whole self and your true self. I speak about the prizes that come from being you against odds,” Erivo said during her acceptance speech.

“But rarely do I acknowledge how hard it can be. So I thought that I would make some room for those of us who are trying to find more courage to exist as we want, because I think this is the space to do that,” she added.

The Oscar-nominated actor, who has also won Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards, is celebrated for her starring role as Elphaba Thropp in the 2024 Universal musical movie “Wicked,” inspired by the successful 2003 Broadway show and the 1995 novel of the same title. The film has emerged as the highest-grossing stage musical adaptation, outpacing Universal’s own “Mamma Mia!”.

Erivo is set to host the Tony Awards in June 2025. During the ceremony on Thursday, she recognized that certain members of the LGBTQ+ community had faced more challenges than others.