LOGO TV'S "TRAILBLAZERS" ADDS NBA'S JASON COLLINS AND THE SERIES "ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK" TO ITS LIST OF HONOREES FOR THEIR HISTORIC WORK BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS FOR LGBT EQUALITY
Collins and "Orange is the New Black" Join Previously Announced Honorees Edie Windsor & Roberta Kaplan, the Civil Rights Activists Who Defeated DOMA
Event will also Spotlight "Trailblazing Youth" Who Are Making an Impact in their Local Communities, Introduced by Trevor Hero, Daniel Radcliffe
One-Hour Special Honoring Pioneers in Fight for LGBT Equality to Premiere
on the One Year Anniversary of the Defeat of DOMA - June 26 at 9pm ET/PT -
from New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine
New York, June 4, 2014 - Logo TV today announced that "Trailblazers" will honor the Brooklyn Nets' Jason Collins and the groundbreaking series "Orange Is the New Black" for their historic strides to overcome bias and bring about LGBT equality: Jason Collins for becoming the first male publicly gay athlete in a major American sport, and "Orange is the New Black" for bringing the lives and stories of characters rarely seen on television into millions of living rooms around the country. Cast members, including Laverne Cox will accept the honor on behalf of the series. Both Collins and Cox are two of the new voices defining the multifaceted, multicultural identity of the LGBT audience today. Collins and the series "Orange is the New Black" join Trailblazers' previously announced honorees Edie Windsor and Roberta Kaplan, the civil rights activists who defeated DOMA and opened the door for gay marriage.
"It is an honor to be included in the company of Edie Windsor and Roberta Kaplan in Logo's celebration of our progress towards LGBT equality," said Jason Collins. "We are proof that the actions we make, big or small, can have a positive, global impact on our community."
Openly gay college athlete Matt Kaplon, musicians Tegan and Sara and Laura Jane Grace, and gay former NFL player Wade Davis will also appear in the special. They join a growing list of celebrity appearances, including Jared Leto, Kylie Minogue, Ariana Grande, and Rita Ora. A Great Big World is confirmed to perform. Additional honorees, performers and presenters will be announced later.
"Trailblazers" is Logo's new annual event that celebrates the pioneers who have broken new ground in the quest for LGBT civil rights. The event will premiere on Thursday, June 26th at 9pm ET/PT during the most historic week of gay rights - the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, and the one-year anniversary to the day of DOMA being overruled.
Working with community partner The Trevor Project, and introduced by Trevor Hero Daniel Radcliffe, the event will also spotlight the efforts of four "Trailblazing Youth," who are making a positive impact in their local communities. In addition, Logo is asking people to submit their stories of the friends, family, and community leaders who have made a profound personal difference in their lives. Five of these local leaders will be featured on the "Trailblazers" site as a "Hometown Trailblazer," with one individual being selected to attend the event along with their submitter. To submit pictures and videos of the inspirational heroes, please visit http://bit.ly/1k2KDIJ.
About Jason Collins
On May 6, 2013, in a Sports Illustrated cover story, Jason Collins announced that he is gay, thereby becoming the first out professional male athlete in a major U.S. sport. Because of his pioneering declaration, Collins has gained legions of new fans across the world.
Today more and more openly gay college and high school athletes are coming forward because of the example that Jason Collins has set on and off the court. Collins' impact is a reminder that one person's actions truly can change society.
About Orange is the New Black
"Orange is the New Black," Jenji Kohan's critically acclaimed new series that transports viewers into the lives and minds of a diverse array of characters and relationships that are rarely seen on television. The show explores issues of sexuality, class, politics, race, religion, gender, and mental health in a way that pushes boundaries while it also entertains. The Netflix series shows us that regardless of sexual identity, the color of our skin, or the background from which we come, we all share a common human bond.
The series' casting choices, honest storylines and unfaltering sense of humor have provided the world with a better understanding of the LGBT community and given a platform for a range of talented new voices. As one example, cast member Laverne Cox made history as one of the first transgender woman to star in a mainstream dramatic series.
About the Trailblazing Youth
The evening's events will also feature a "Trailblazing Youth" segment that will highlight four young leaders tied to The Trevor Project who epitomize the power of local activism at any age.
After his close friend's suicide, Princeton, New Jersey Native, Cason Crane founded the Rainbow Summits Project to raise $135,000 for The Trevor Project, as he became the first openly LGBT person to scale the Seven Summits - the highest peaks on each continent, including Mt. Everest.
Thirteen year-old Jazz has been an advocate for fellow transgender kids. Along with her parents, she founded the Transkids Purple Rainbow Foundation to offer advice, support and resources for kids who struggle with gender identity issues.
Jordan Scruggs from Chattanooga, Tennessee is spearheading a much-needed open channel of communication between faith and sexual orientation, creating an extensive directory of Tennessee's most LGBT-inclusive churches. As a result of her dedication, she was recently appointed to the role of State Director of Marriage Equality for Organizing for Action.
When he began his freshman year at the Mormon-based Brigham Young University, Adam White helped put LGBT issues on the forefront of his school's agenda by leading the university's underground Gay-Straight Alliance into a widely recognized and respected force on campus. He also helped lead BYU's "It Gets Better" campaign, which resonated with young Mormons across the country.
Trailblazers 2014 is executive produced by Chris McCarthy, Ryan Kroft, and Chris Williams for Logo TV. Joe Buoye serves as Executive in Charge for Logo TV with Amy Doyle, Wendy Plaut and Frank Ho as Executives in Charge of Talent and Music.
ABOUT LOGO TV
Logo TV is a leading entertainment brand inspired by the LGBT community and reflects the creative class across television, digital and social platforms. Logo features one-of-a-kind personalities, shows, specials, and unique stories. Logo is part of MTV's network of brands including MTV, MTV2, MTV.com, mtvU, MTV Hits and MTV Jams.
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