Beyoncé and Jay-Z are receiving a special honor at this year's GLAAD Media Awards.
The hip-hop power couple will be bestowed with the Vanguard Award at the 30th annual LGBTQ ceremony, taking place in Los Angeles on March 28. Per GLAAD, the recognition, given yearly at the celebration by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, acknowledges members of the entertainment community "who does not identify as LGBT but who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for LGBT people."
“Beyoncé and Jay- Z are global icons and passionate defenders of human rights and acceptance for all people,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a press statement. “When Beyoncé and Jay-Z speak, the world becomes inspired and when it comes to LGBTQ people, their voices of acceptance have been heard loud and clear. We could not be prouder to stand with them to send a message of love during the biggest LGBTQ event in the world and to honor their work to bend the arc of justice forward for LGBTQ people, people of color, and marginalized communities everywhere.”
Other entertainers who have accepted the Vanguard honor in the past include Demi Lovato, Britney Spears, and Jennifer Lopez. The inaugural prize was awarded to actors Roseanne Barr and Tom Arnold in 1993.
Last year, GLAAD honored the 4:44 rapper with the special recognition title for his record "Smile," a tribute to his mother, Gloria Carter, who came out as a lesbian in both the song and its music video.
Photo: Getty Images