JAY-Z and Beyoncé are adding another huge honor to their long list of accolades. On Monday (March 11), it was announced the “On the Run” couple will receive the Vanguard Award at the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
“Beyoncé and JAY-Z are global icons and passionate defenders of human rights and acceptance for all people,” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement to Variety. “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,” she noted.
In 2018, JAY received a Special Recognition Award from the LGBTQ+ organization for his song “Smile,” off his 4:44 album. His mother, Gloria Carter, came out as a lesbian on the standout track. Carter accepted the GLAAD award in place of her famous son that year.
This time around Blue Ivy’s parents will both be honored for their allyship to the LGBTQ+ community. The Carters have been longtime vocal supporters of gay marriage and have spoken out against North Carolina’s anti-LGBTQ bathroom bill. JAY and Bey have also featured prominent LGBTQ+ members in their work and music videos, including Janet Mock, Big Freedia, and trans actress Laverne Cox.
In 2016, Beyoncé paid tribute to the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting during her “Formation World Tour.” In the September 2018 issue of Vogue magazine, the mom of three said she wants her children to know they can “fall in love with any race, and love who they want to love.”
The GLAAD Media Awards will take place at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on March 28, 2019. No word yet on whether or not JAY and Bey will attend the event in person. Previous recipients of the Vanguard Award include Janet Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Cher, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Taylor, and Demi Lovato.