New York, N.Y., (June 25, 2011) - On Monday, June 25th, The Trevor Project honored Academy Award-winner, Susan Sarandon with the Trevor Hero Award, presented by Stanley Tucci.
President of MTV, Stephen Friedman accepted the Trevor 2020 Award for MTV at Trevor Live in New York, (Pier 60, Chelsea Piers). The event also featured the first comedic reunification of Eric McCormack and DebraMessing ("Will & Grace"), comedy by Judy Gold, and a musical performance by fun. This high-profile annual event benefits the life-saving, life-affirming work of The Trevor Project, providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) teens and young adults.
"I'm very honored to get this award because The Trevor Project is there at the end of the line with a voice that tells you that you're not alone." said Susan Sarandon, Trevor Hero Award honoree. "It is up to us to somehow make it clear that being different is really fabulous."
The Trevor Hero Award honors Susan Sarandon for being an openly vocal ally for youth and increasing visibility and understanding of LGBTQ community. As an ally for LGBTQ people, Sarandon has supported the freedom to marry as well as funding for HIV/AIDS research and healthcare for patients, and has spoken out about homophobia in the media.
The Trevor 2020 Award honors MTV as a visionary organization that increases the visibility and understanding of LGBTQ issues and support the LGBTQ community. MTV has been a leader in providing a voice for LGBTQ youth in the media since its founding in 1981, from introducing the first openly gay person with HIV/AIDS on television to airing the first same-sex commitment ceremony ever documented on television. The network also features documentaries focusing on LGBTQ youth and galvanizes young people to strengthen emotional health by promoting acceptance, and to take action to stop the spread of digital abuse.
"Trevor Live is where entertainment and cultural change collide. Not only do we get to enjoy a night of amazing talent and inspirational honorees, we get to stand in support of the young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth for whom The Trevor Project is the one place they can turn to for support," said Abbe Land, Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project.
Trevor Live was directed by Tony Award® winner, Michael Mayer and was presented by Audi of America, Pfizer and Wells Fargo. The show featured performances by fun., Debra Messing and Eric McCormack,Bobby Canivale, Judy Gold, Linda Lavin, Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Moon, Anthony Rapp, Thomas Roberts, Stanley Tucci. Celebrity guests included Brad Goreski, Sir Ivan, Tom Murro, Maulik Pancholy, and Adam Shankman. For more information, visit TheTrevorProject.org/TrevorLive .
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people under 24. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential lifeline, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy. Honored by the White House as a Champion of Change, The Trevor Project is a leader and innovator in suicide prevention. Learn more at TheTrevorProject.org .
