Each year in Los Angeles and New York, the GLSEN Respect Awards showcase the work of students, educators, individuals, and corporations who serve as exemplary role models for LGBT youth. Many friends of GLSEN come together to celebrate this work–and sometimes pose on the red carpet with Target’s Bullseye. Target has supported GLSEN over the past three years to improve the physical and psychological wellness of LGBT youth.
1. Jason Collins and Bullseye
In 2013, GLSEN Respect Awards honoree Jason Collins was the first active out athlete in the NBA, MLB, NHL or NFL. By coming out, Collins broke monumental barriers for and raised the hopes of LGBT student athletes in K-12 schools. Click here to watch him accept the Courage Award at the 2013 GLSEN Respect Awards – New York.
2. Robbie Rogers and Bullseye
The openly gay LA Galaxy soccer player, Robbie Rogers, was one of the honorary co-chairs of the 2013 GLSEN Respect Awards – Los Angeles, and he came back the next year as a co-host. Recently, Robbie partnered with Proper Assembly to create limited edition cinch bags in support of GLSEN.
3. Kirsten Vangsness and Bullseye
Kirsten Vangsness, a star on the CBS drama series Criminal Minds, has been a vocal supporter of LGBT youth. She tweeted her support of GLSEN’s Day of Silence and spoke about sexual fluidity on the red carpet at the 2014 GLSEN Respect Awards – Los Angeles.
4 & 5. Jim Parsons, Todd Spiewak, and Bullseye
With his partner Todd Spiewak, Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jim Parsons, who stars in The Big Bang Theory and The Normal Heart, received the Inspiration Award at the 2013 GLSEN Respect Awards – Los Angeles. Watch them accept their award here. For the second year in a row, the couple will return to the GLSEN Respect Awards – Los Angeles as honorary co-chairs.
Like Target, these friends of GLSEN have had a significant impact on the lives of LGBT youth. To GLSEN, respect means making an impact.
What does respect mean to you? Join the conversation by tweeting with #RespectAwards.
Photo credit: Jonathan Liebson for Getty