LOGO TV previously announced that President Bill Clinton will honor Edie Windsor and Roberta Kaplan on the one-year anniversary of declaring DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) unconstitutional for Logo TV's inaugural Trailblazers event and television special honoring pioneers who have broken new ground for LGBT civil rights premiering tonight, June 26 at 9pm ET/PT.
"One year ago this week, the United States Supreme Court declared DOMA unconstitutional. It was the right thing to do. Seventeen years after signing DOMA into law, I was honored and grateful to be among the voices urging that it be overturned," said President
Bill Clinton. "The Supreme Court's decision would not have happened without Edie Windsor's dogged determination to right a wrong and Roberta Kaplan's equal commitment to simple fairness. As marriage equality spreads across the states, the number of people impacted by these two amazing women will only continue to grow."
Lance Bass will honor
Jason Collins for becoming the first male publicly gay athlete in a major American sport.
Demi Lovato will honor the series "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
Danielle Brooks (Taystee),
Laverne Cox (Sophia),
Lea DeLaria (Big Boo),
Taryn Manning (Pennsatucky) and
Samira Wiley (Poussey) will accept the award on behalf of the series.
Activist and former R.E.M. frontman
Michael Stipe will honor Ugandan gay rights activist and refugee John "Longjones" Abdallah Wambere as an "International Trailblazer" for his work with
Spectrum Uganda Initiatives, an organization that advocates for LGBT rights and provides health and education services to the community. Earlier this year, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed into law the Anti-Homosexuality Act that criminalizes homosexuality, as well as "aiding and abetting homosexuality," and "promotion of homosexuality," with the threat of a 14-year jail sentence for a first offense or up to life for multiple convictions. Wambere is now seeking asylum in the United States, while continuing to advocate for LGBT rights
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.
Sia, accompanied by New York City's Gay Men Chorus will perform her hit "Chandelier" and
A Great Big World will perform "Say Something" with Exousia.
Joe Manganiello and
Ed Sheeran join a growing list of celebrity appearances that include
Daniel Radcliffe,
Jared Leto,
Macklemore &
Ryan Lewis,
Kylie Minogue,
Pete Wentz,
Ariana Grande, Iggy Azaela, Tegan and Sara andLaura Jane Grace.
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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,
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