The Los Angeles LGBT Center held their annual gala in downtown Los Angles Saturday night, where attendees gathered at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall for a dinner hosted by comedian Joel Kim Booster. star was presented with the Rand Schrader award in recognition of her achievements in entertainment and activism championing the + community. The Emmy, Grammy and Tony award winner was introduced by actress , who gushed about Erivo’s “immense talent and spirit” during her remarks.
“Beyond her artistic achievements, Cynthia is a steadfast advocate helping bring visibility to the intersection of black and queer identity,” Pinkett Smith told the crowd. “She uses her platform to fight for justice, for love and acceptance, and empowered individuals to live their truth authentically and without fear,” she continued. Erivo accepted the award to much applause, beginning what would be a moving speech by telling the crowd she felt “extremely loved and held.
” The multihyphenate opened up about her own journey embracing her own identity. “It is a privilege to be on this stage tonight because for so long I lived in deep admiration of anyone who could fully embody their true authentic self, wear their queerness like a feather boa and proudly state ‘This is a beautiful part of who I am,'” Erivo told the crowd, adding that she felt like she had been looking at her “own community from inside the glass box.” “But now, the glass has shattered,” Erivo said, met wi.
