LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Actor Wilson Cruz, known for ground-breaking roles on television, film, and Broadway, will receive the Point Courage Award at the annual Point Honors Los Angeles gala, Oct. 7 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. The award recognizes those who have advocated for the future of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community and believe in the vision that investing in today’s potential will produce a brighter tomorrow. Point Foundation is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students of merit.
Cruz broke ground playing Enrique ‘Rickie’ Vasquez on “My So Called Life,” the first openly gay teenager role to air on network prime time television. Cruz has a strong, diverse television resume playing iconic characters on shows including “Party of Five,” “NCIS,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Shameless,” “Nixon” and the current seasons of Netflix breakout hit series “13 Reasons Why” and “Star Trek: Discovery.” He won the hearts of theater-goers portraying Angel in the Broadway and Los Angeles productions of the musical “Rent.”
Also being honored the same evening is TV and film writer, director, and producer Jill Soloway (Amazon’s “Transparent,” and “I Love Dick,” and HBO’s “Six Feet Under”), who will receive the Point Impact Award presented to an individual who has made a significant impact on improving the lives of the LGBTQ community. Comedian Michelle Collins will host Point Honors, which also features a performance by Grammy-nominated singer, Adam Lambert. Other celebrity participants include Kathryn Hahn (“Transparent”), Tyler Alvarez (“American Vandal”), and more to be announced shortly.
“I am honored to be receiving the Point Courage Award during a special evening that will help Point Foundation’s scholarship recipients,” said Wilson Cruz. “It’s important that we continue to uplift and strengthen our LGBTQ youth who are the future of our community, and remind them that their voices are heard.”
“We are thrilled to recognize Wilson Cruz and Jill Soloway’s groundbreaking work in TV and film, and their ongoing contributions to Point Foundation and the LGBTQ Community,” and Jill Soloway’s groundbreaking work in TV and film, and their ongoing contribution to the LGBTQ Community,” said Jorge Valencia, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Point Foundation. “Our scholars and all LGBTQ young people benefit when there are role models like Cruz and Soloway who are living their lives genuinely and openly and succeeding in their endeavors.”
