Jennifer Lopez to be Honored with HRC's Ally for Equality Award

Jennifer Lopez, actor, singer, and recently, executive producer of ABC Family's The Fosters, will receive the 2013 Ally for Equality Award at the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner. Held October 5 in Washington, D.C., the Ally for Equality Award is given to someone outside of the LGBT community whose dedication to equality makes a difference in the lives of LGBT Americans.

The Fosters depicts a mixed-race lesbian couple raising a biological son, several adopted kids and a troubled teenage girl they bring into their home. Despite opposition from anti-LGBT groups, Lopez stood her ground in support of her show and the community it represents. In an interview with ET's Rob Marciano, Lopez said, "It gives a really good depiction of family in this day and age."

In that same interview, Lopez revealed that the show was partly inspired by her own lesbian aunt, with whom she lived while growing up. 

"I thought of her often when I was thinking of taking on this project and the prejudices that she faced," said Lopez. "She was always there for us. She was a great person. She didn't have her own family and I often wonder if she wanted it."

It is this commitment to equality that influenced HRC to recognize Lopez. "Throughout her career, Jennifer Lopez has always stood for fairness, justice and equality, and that's what being an ally is all about," said HRC president Chad Griffin. In addition to producing The Fosters, Lopez has been an ardent supporter of marriage equality, raised millions of dollars for HIV and AIDS research, and advocated for antibullying and antiviolence causes.

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