Human Rights Campaign Honoring Meryl Streep With Ally for Equality Award

Actress Meryl Streep is set to be honored by the U.S.’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization.

The Human Rights Campaign will present her with the Ally for Equality Award at its 2017 HRC Greater New York Gala, to be held on February 11 at New York’s Waldorf Astoria, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The award recognizes the “outstanding efforts of those who use their voice and publicly stand up for the LGBTQ community.”

The 19-time Oscar nominated actress, who has starred in movies Sophie’s Choice, Silkwood, Mamma Mia!, Death Becomes Her and The Devil Wears Prada among others has been an outspoken advocate for the advancement of gay rights, both through her personal life and her work.

In 2004, when accepting the Golden Globe for her role in Mike Nichols’ adaptation Angels in America, Streep spoke out in favor of same-sex marriage at a time when then President George W. Bush was pushing for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would ban it from ever being legalized.

In her speech Streep blasted the move and said that “too many people (wanting) to commit their lives to each other till death due us part” is far from the country’s biggest problem.

“Meryl Streep embodies the very nature of what it means to be an ally to our community,” HRC President Chad Griffin, told The Hollywood Reporter.