Ben Platt Being Honored with GLSEN’S Award
GLSEN, the leading education organization focused on ensuring safe and inclusive schools for all students will honor Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Ben Platt with the Inspiration Award, during RESPECT EVERYWHERE, during an innovative fundraising initiatives. Platt will receive the award through a special video message from his The Politician co-star, Judith Light.
Platt was already well known for his Tony award-winning performance in DEAR EVAN HANSEN when he decided to release his groundbreaking first album, SING TO ME INSTEAD. He has always been an outspoken advocate, utilizing his platform to speak directly to LGBTQ youth and support countless LGBTQ causes.
A special video recognizing Platt’s work will stream on glsen.org/respecteverywhere at 2:00pm ET / 11:00am PT on Friday, May 22nd.
“I feel so humbled to be honored in this way,” said Ben Platt. “I will continue to try to do right by all of you — particularly the young queer people who are leading the way. I am following your lead.”
As previously announced, the organization is also honoring “The L Word: Generation Q” actress and ally Jennifer Beals with the Champion Award. Charlie Carver, who recently starred on Broadway in the Tony Award winning production of “The Boys In The Band,” and will reprise his role in the upcoming Netflix film, will receive the Gamechanger Award.
Platt won the 2017 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance as Evan Hansen, as well as the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance, making him the youngest actor to win the coveted award. Additionally, Dear Evan Hansen won the Tony award for Best Musical and the cast recording took home the Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album as well as a Daytime Emmy Award for their performance on The Today Show.
The GLSEN RESPECT Co-Chairs are Michel Mercure, Jim Parsons & Todd Spiewak, Ryan Pedlow, Nydia Sahagun, Elizabeth Stribling-Kivlan, and Chip Sullivan. The Senior Sponsors of RESPECT EVERYWHERE are Hollister and Jim Parsons & Todd Spiewak.
