Jay-Z, Beyoncé receive GLAAD Vanguard Award for support of LGBTQ community

Jay-Z and Beyoncé will receive GLAAD’s Vanguard Award for support of the LGBTQ community at the organization’s media awards on Thursday.

GLAAD, a media monitoring organization founded by LGBTQ members of the media, announced the award for the music power-couple Monday.

{mosads}”Beyoncé and JAY-Z are longtime allies and supporters of the LGBTQ community who use their global platforms to share messages that inspire and change the world for the better,” the group said in a statement.

The group highlighted Beyoncé for speaking out against LGBTQ discrimination, for including LGBTQ people in music videos like “Formation” and “All Night” and for showcasing transgender actress Laverne Cox in her new clothing line.

GLAAD praised Jay-Z for his 2017 music video for the song “Smile,” which featured his mother Gloria Carter, who used the song to come out as a lesbian.

“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.

“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.”