Billy Porter to Receive Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award for LGBTQ+ Activism

Caitlin Huston
·1 min read
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Billy Porter will receive the 2024 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award for his dedication and contributions as an activist and spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ communities.

The honor, announced Tuesday, includes the Pose star’s work with The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and the Entertainment Community Fund, among other organizations. The Tony is given each year to a member of the theater community who “made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations.”

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Porter is an ambassador of The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, as well as a member of the board of trustees for the Entertainment Community Fund, which he has worked with for several decades. Additionally, Porter works with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, HRC (Human Rights Campaign), GLAAD and Planned Parenthood.

In addition to his onscreen work, which includes roles in the films 80 for Brady and Our Son, Porter has a number of theater credits, including his Tony Award-winning role as Lola in the musical Kinky Boots. 

“Billy Porter has made extraordinary contributions as an activist for the LGBTQ+ community, and we are truly honored to present him with this year’s Isabelle Stevenson Award,” said Jason Laks, interim president of The Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, president and CEO of the American Theatre Wing. “He has lent tremendous time, effort and support to a variety of organizations including The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, the Entertainment Community Fund and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, all while becoming an unstoppable force onstage, screen and beyond.”

The Tony Awards are scheduled to take place on June 16 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York.

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