Laverne Cox to receive GLAAD honour from Ellen Page

Movie star Ellen Page is set to honour one of her lifestyle inspirations, transgender actress Laverne Cox, at the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards. The Juno star ‘came out’ as a lesbian in an emotional speech at a human rights conference in Las Vegas in February (14), and cited Cox as one of the people who had given her the strength to address her sexuality in public for the first time.
Now Page will be able to give thanks to the Orange Is the New Black star in person on 12 April (14), when she presents Cox with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award in Los Angeles.
GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis says, “Laverne Cox has reshaped the way Americans see transgender people and raised the bar in diverse representations of the LGBT community in entertainment.
“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.”
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) prize is given to openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender stars who have used their voice to promote equal rights, with previous recipients including Sir Ian McKellen, Ellen DeGeneres, Melissa Etheridge and Wanda Sykes.
Jennifer Lopez will also be among the honourees at the event – she will collect the prestigious Vanguard Award.