GLAAD on Friday announced it will honor
Golden State Warrior President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts
at its Saturday, September 13 fundraiser in San Francisco.
GLAAD
Gala San Francisco: Game Changers will be hosted by actress Taryn
Manning (Orange is the New Black) and feature a special
performance by Alex Newell (Glee).
Welts came out in 2011, becoming the
highest-ranking executive in men's professional team sports to
publicly announce he's gay.
At next month's gala, Welts will
receive GLAAD's Davidson / Valentini Award, which is given to an out
media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting
LGBT equality.
Golden State Warriors assistant coach
Jarron Collins will present the award. Collin's twin brother, Jason
Collins, earlier this year became the NBA's first openly gay active
player.
“Rick Welts leveled the playing
field,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Rick's
story has been an inspiration to countless LGBT athletes and sports
professionals, who are now empowered to share their own stories. His
leadership has changed the game for equality in sports.”
GLAAD previously announced that Google
and YouTube will receive the
Ric Weiland Award at the gala.