Antoni Porowski to Receive Champion Award at GLSEN Respect Awards New York

March 16, 2022

Activist and New York Times Best-Selling Author Antoni Porowski to Receive Champion Award at GLSEN Respect Awards New York

NEW YORK – GLSEN, the leading education organization working to create safe and inclusive K-12 schools for LGBTQ+ youth, is thrilled to announce that it will honor award-winning author and activist Antoni Porowski with the Champion Award at the 2022 GLSEN Respect Awards New York presented by Hollister on Monday, May 16 at Gotham Hall.

Antoni Porowski is a New York Times Bestselling Author and star of Netflix’s award-winning series Queer Eye. As Queer Eye’s food and wine expert, the self-taught cook brings with him a lifelong passion for food. Antoni’s first cookbook Antoni in the Kitchen debuted at #2 on the New York Times’ Best Seller List in 2019. His follow-up cookbook Antoni: Let’s Do Dinner was released this past September.

“Learning environments should be safe and inclusive for LGBTQ+ students so they can not only be their true selves, but also learn more about the rich and historical contributions of their own community,” said Porowski. “I am honored to be recognized with the Champion Award by GLSEN and excited to celebrate with the other honorees including students and educators who help make a difference in their local and school communities every single day.”

Antoni can currently be seen in Netflix’s Queer Eye, which has won the Emmy for “Outstanding Structured Reality Program” for four consecutive years. In 2020, Antoni and his fellow Fab Five received their first Emmy nominations for “Outstanding Hosts For A Reality Or Competition Program.”

Born in Canada to Polish emigrants, Antoni is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights everywhere, especially his family’s native Poland where he serves on the board of the Equaversity Foundation which was established to organize international fundraising to support the LGBTQ+ community in Poland.

“A true advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, Antoni Porowski uses his platform to celebrate the diversity in all people while inspiring others to be proud of their individuality,” said Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, GLSEN Executive Director. “GLSEN is honored to present GLSEN’s Champion Award at this year’s Respect Awards to Antoni for his ongoing commitment and steadfast support to better the lives of LGBTQ+ youth.”

Co-chairs include Joseph Carozza, Wilson Cruz, Amita Mehta, Michel Mercure, Ryan Pedlow, Elizabeth Stribling-Kivlan, and Alicin Reidy Williamson. Honorary co-chairs include Kalen Allen, Jason Collins & Brunson Green, Carla Gugino, Ali Wentworth & George Stephanopoulos, and Chely Wright.

The GLSEN Respect Awards, introduced in 2004 and held annually in Los Angeles and New York, showcase the work of students, educators, community leaders, and corporations who serve as exemplary role models and have made a significant impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ youth. Past honorees include Kerry Washington, Marilyn & Jeffrey Katzenberg, Rosario Dawson, Julia Roberts and Danny Moder, Zendaya, Connor Franta, Ellen Pompeo, Octavia Spencer, and the Cast of Pose.

For nearly three decades, GLSEN has led the way on LGBTQ+ issues in K-12 education through ground-breaking original research, innovative program development, educator training, student organizing, and targeted state and federal advocacy. With the development of educational resources, direct engagement of youth and educators, and GLSEN national programs like Day of Silence, Solidarity Week, and Changing the Game, GLSEN has seen the impact of its work in measurable improvements in the lives of LGBTQ+ students in the U.S.

The GLSEN Respect Awards New York is presented by Hollister. Tables and sponsorships for the Respect Awards are available now. For additional information, please visit https://act.glsen.org/a/respectny.

About GLSEN

GLSEN works to create safe and inclusive schools for all. GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach millions of students and educators in K-12 schools, via action at the national, state, and local level. Since 1990, GLSEN has improved conditions for LGBTQ+ students across the United States and helped launch an international movement to address LGBTQ+ issues in education.

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