HAIR Cast to Perform at GLAAD Media Awards, 3/13

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today announced that Gavin Creel and cast members from the Tony Award-winning revival of HAIR will perform at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards on March 13, 2010 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

The GLAAD Media Awards elevate and promote fair, accurate and inclusive stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues, people and allies that have increased awareness, understanding and respect for the lives of LGBT people. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD's work to amplify stories of LGBT people and issues that build support for equality.

HAIR will receive a Special Recognition Award at the event for the cast and producers' support of LGBT equality. The cast and producers actively supported the National Equality March held in Washington D.C. in October of 2009. In the weeks leading up to the march, they re-staged the finale of the play to actively encourage audience members to attend the march for LGBT equality. Then, on the weekend of the march, the play went dark so the entire cast could attend and perform in Washington, D.C.

GLAAD previously announced that Cynthia Nixon will receive the Vito Russ Award which is presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for our community. Also, Meredith Viera will present Joy Behar with the Excellence in Media Award which is presented to media professionals who have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community.

Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming will host the event. Gabourey Sibide (Precious) will open the show to introduce the Youth Pride Chorus, a New York City choir of LGBT youth. Other guests and presenters scheduled to attend include: Sigourney Weaver (Prayers for Bobby); Bryan Batt (Mad Men); Sarah Paulson (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip); John Tartaglia (Avenue Q); Dustin Lance Black (Milk); Rosie Perez (Lipstick Jungle); Sandra Bernhard (Dare); Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel, Isis King (America's Next Top Model); Jill Zarin (The Real Housewives of New York City); former President of Entertainment at MTV Networks, Brian Graden; and GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. Corey Craig will be the guest DJ during the VIP celebrity after-party. More names to be announced.

Awards scheduled to be presented onstage include the following categories: Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series, Outstanding TV Journalism Segment, and Outstanding Digital Journalism Article. A complete list of this year's 152 nominees is available at www.glaad.org/mediaawards.

Balcony tickets for the New York event are $350 and general tickets are $500. For a full list of corporate partners and information on how to become a corporate partner, or to become a table host, purchase tickets or place a tribute in the tribute book, please call (877) 519-7904 or visit http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards.

Additional GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies will take place in Los Angeles on April 17, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, and in San Francisco on June 5, 2010 at the Westin St. Francis. At the Los Angeles event, Drew Barrymore will receive the Vanguard Award and Wanda Sykes will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org.