Lesbian Jesus Hayley Kiyoko Honored by Trevor Project

Singer Hayley Kiyoko, known to her fans as "lesbian Jesus," was honored Sunday night by The Trevor Project for her visiibility. She was presented with the Youth Innovator Award by actress and friend Debby Ryan at TrevorLIVE in Beverly Hills.

"So many LGBTQ youth don't have that same support in their own communities," Kiyoko said from stage after thanking her family for supporting her. "It is our duty to share our strength to help guide the ones that get lost in the dark. I'm very proud to be standing here today, and I thank you all for continuing to inspire others by existing."

The Trevor Project is the world's largest organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ young people. With a suite of services, they're a go-to resource across the county for the more than 1.8 million queer youth who seroisly consider suicide each year. TrevorLIVE is the organization's signature annual fundraiser that brings together top entertainers and corporate leaders to support the organization's life-saving initiatives. It was hosted this year by Sasheer Zamata and Zazie Beetz.

"There is still so much more to do," said Amit Paley, The Trevor Project's CEO, after listing some of the successes of the organization. "One day, we will reach every single one of those young people in crisis. But we're not there yet. And we don't have the luxury of growing slowly. We are literally talking about life and death. That is why we need to build a global movement to end suicide among LGBTQ young people now."

Kiyoko's award was surely well deserved as the pop star consistinent uses her voice in the music industry to shine a light on the LGBTQ+ community. Her 2016 video for "One Bad Night" spotlighted violence against trans women, she's also donated the bras that are thrown at her onstage to homeless LGBTQ+ youth, and she's been vocal about rebuffing requests that she "tone down" her sexuality. Kiyoko also recently released her latest single, "L.O.V.E. Me," which has the gays rejoicing.

Joining Kiyoko in being honored was legendary actress Cybill Shepherd who was recognized for her decades-long advocacy as an ally.

"For years, Cybill Shepherd has been boldly, fearlessly and loudly making the case that everyone deserves acceptance, no matter who they love," said Jane Lynch who presented her with the Champion Award.

In an emotional acceptance speech, Shepherd tearfully dedicated the award to her late sister, who was unable to live openly as a lesbian.

"No, my sister did not have the support that these young people will be getting from this wonderful, wonderful organization; and so, I want to thank everyone here tonight, because we all have in our lives people that we would have liked to have saved," she said. "My sister lived the life she wanted to live, but she didn't live it openly. Gladys Terry Shepherd, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, for the honor of being here tonight."

The PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc., was also recognized with the 20/20 Visionary Award. The organization's president, Yolanda Seals-Coffield, announced a first-of-its-kind donation to The Trevor Project of $6 million over four years during her speech.

Also in attendance for the night of celebration was Samira Wiley and Lauren Morelli, Lance Bass, Heidi Klum, EJ Johnson, Gigi Gorgeous, Eugene Lee Yang, Raja, and Nina West among others.

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