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GLAAD, the nation's lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced that The Weinstein Company Co-Chairman and outspoken anti-bullying advocate Harvey Weinstein will present a Special Recognition Award to high school student Katy Butler at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards on March 24, 2012, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Seventeen-year-old Katy Butler launched a Change.org campaign last month to advocate that the 'R' rating of the upcoming documentary Bully be changed to 'PG-13.'

“I am proud and honored to present this Award to Katy. Her commitment to this campaign and passion for taking action against bullying is incredibly impressive,” Harvey Weinstein said. Weinstein has been a renowned supporter of the LGBT community and previously received the Excellence in Media Award at the 9th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. 

Last week Butler delivered more than 200,000 signatures to the Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) Los Angeles office. Today, the Change.org action counts nearly 300,000 signatures. Butler, a high school student from Michigan, came out in middle school and experienced bullying. She has since garnered the attention of many well-known public figures including Justin Bieber, Ellen DeGeneres, Johnny Depp and Meryl Streep. Representative Mike Honda of California also issued a letter to the MPAA in support of the rating change, which was signed by 20 additional Members of Congress. The Weinstein Company has set up a Resource Guide for all fans who want to stay informed and support the movement against bullying: http://on.fb.me/yMtEDI.
 
“The MPAA made a mistake in restricting this film to adult audiences. Everyone -- young and old alike -- needs to see this film and the devastating impact that bullying can have on today’s young people,” said GLAAD spokesperson, Herndon Graddick. “Katy has bravely used her voice to take a stand and has inspired countless Americans, including so many members of Congress and public figures, to show their support for the safety of all our children.”

Glee’s Cory Monteith and Naya Rivera will host the GLAAD Media Awards in New York City on March 24 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square, presented by Ketel One and Wells Fargo and presented locally by Delta Air Lines and Prudential. Film,television and theater producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan (Chicago, Hairspray, Smash) will receive the Vito Russo Award at the event. For more information on honorees and special guests please visit: http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards

Nominees for the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards were announced in January and are available here:http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards/nominees. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives.
 

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