Amid a fiery time for members of the LGBTQ community, GLAAD is bolstering its ranks by appointing a roster of 20 ambassadors to “promote and strengthen” its work in accelerating acceptance.
The inaugural class of LGBTQ creatives, leaders and allies includes comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, Queer Eye veteran Bobby Berk, Real Housewives of Orange County star Braunwyn Spinner, Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause, media insider Don Lemon, actress Isis King, actor Jonathan Bennett, Made it Out Media’s Mal Glowenke and Mathilde Jourdan, Real Housewives star Meredith Marks, Emmy winner Niecy Nash-Betts and Jessica Betts, Real Housewives of New York star Racquel Chevremont, former NFL player RK Russell, actor Ronen Rubinstein, media personality Ross Mathews, actress Sasheer Zamata, Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying and Mark Hoying, and actress and comedian Sherry Cola.
The founding class came together by invitation from the organization as a way to activate celebrity influence on the philanthropic and advocacy front. According to GLAAD, their work as ambassadors will be specifically tailored for each individual to align their “public platform, passions and personal brand with GLAAD’s mission.” The ambassadors will also be presented with opportunities to participate in GLAAD’s programming and events including the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, Spirit Day, a youth anti-bullying campaign, and GLAAD’s advocacy efforts around the Super Bowl and Pride Month.
For some of the names on the list, the ambassador gig further solidifies an already existing relationship. For example, Nash-Betts received the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles last year. “Let’s continue the fight for equality and normalizing that love is love,” she said in an acceptance speech that followed a tribute from Sharon Stone.