The Stephen F. Kolzack Award is given to a LGBTQ media professional who has made a significant difference in raising visibility and promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues. It is named in honor of the Los Angeles casting director who devoted the last part of his life to fighting homophobia and HIV stigma within the entertainment industry. As Pope accepted the award he took a moment to take in the moment.

"I'm so fortunate to be able to use the gift of storytelling to bring visibility to marginalized stories," he said. "And honestly I'm grateful for those who have given me the opportunity to open the door works from Janet Mock to Ryan Murphy to Elegance Bratton... I love you. Thank you for allowing me to be a vessel for something that is bigger than myself to represent life stories of nuance and emotional truth."

For more information about GLAAD's work, please visit http://www.glaad.org