Whoopi Goldberg To be Honoured By HRC For LGBT Activism

The Human Rights Campaign, the US’s largest LGBT, civil rights organisation has announced that Whoopi Goldberg will receive the 2013 HRC Ally for Equality Award at the annual Greater New York Gala dinner on February 2, 2012 at the Waldorf Astoria.

The Ally for Equality award is given to allies outside the LGBT community who stand up on behalf of equality. An outspoken advocate for equality worldwide, Whoopi has never been afraid to stand up and support LGBT people, campaigns and causes. She has publicly called marriage equality a ‘no-brainer,’ and has made the case for equality in her role on ABC’s daytime show, The View.

She’s been speaking up on LGBT causes for a long time, as even back in 1987 she spoke at the March on Washington for gay rights, saying “Mr. Reagan, did you explain…that sometimes ignorant people act in such a way [toward people with AIDS] that it is frightening.… How long is it going to take before people get smart…educated people? We’re not talking about illiterate people. We’re talking about senators and congressmen and the fucking president.”

HRC President Chad Griffin commented, “We are proud to honor Whoopi Goldberg with the Ally for Equality Award for her commitment to the LGBT community through her public support of marriage equality, including taking part in our successful New Yorkers for Marriage Equality video campaign in 2011. Whoopi is always willing to stand up for our community and is a longtime friend of HRC.”