Robbie Rogers and Kerry Washington To Host GLSEN Respect Awards

The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network has selected Kerry Washington (pictured), star of Scandal and Out cover man Robbie Rogers to co-host the annual awards that honor the leaders and role models in LGBT diversity. In a statement, Washington said, "GLSEN is on the front lines of keeping kids safe from bullying in our schools. That's absolutely a cause that I support and believe in."

Rogers, in the August 2013 issue, told Out "I want to help people, especially kids who felt the same way I did; it makes me sick to remember the way I felt and to think that...they don't have a choice of who they are and they feel the same way I used to feel. Now I have this platform that hopefully I can use to reach people in a positive way."

He also tweeted this:

The event is October 18, 2013, at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Click here to purchase tickets.