Jessica Biel and hubby Justin Timberlake will soon have another prestigious award under their belts, and this one has nothing to do with their respective talents in acting and music. Biel and Timberlake are set to receive the Inspiration Award at GLSEN’s annual Respect Awards, scheduled for October.
GLSEN is the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Alliance. The group’s website states, “At GLSEN, we want every student, in every school, to be valued and treated with respect, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We believe that all students deserve a safe and affirming school environment where they can learn and grow.”
According to GLSEN director Dr. Eliza Byard, Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake “are two vocal and committed allies to the LGBT community who are also devoted to charitable works that improve the lives of youth.”
“[They] have consistently been visible and committed allies,” Byard added in a statement to People magazine.
.@JessicaBiel and @jtimberlake will receive the 2015 @GLSEN Inspiration Award http://t.co/Z7GvuoaquG pic.twitter.com/3xTwKCUuLN
— Variety (@Variety) August 25, 2015
Past recipients of the award indicate that Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake are in good company. Julia Roberts and her husband Danny Moder received the award and will return to the ceremony this year as honorary co-chairs, along with Jim Parsons and his boyfriend Todd Spiewak, Bob Greenblatt, Marilyn Katzenberg, and Jeffrey Katzenberg.
It’s always inspiring to see celebrities do selfless things with their notoriety. GLSEN needs people like Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake to act on their behalf to instill an attitude of inclusion in schools all over the U.S. Hopefully other celebrities will hop on the bandwagon and lend a hand as well.
Congratulations to Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake for setting such a fine example, and on this most deserved award.