NEW YORK – Daniel Radcliffe looks forward to a tolerant world where young people grow up unaffected by differences in sexual orientation.
For the past couple of years, the "Harry Potter" star has been doing his part to make that a reality with his work with the Trevor Project, the leading organization for suicide prevention efforts among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youths.
For his contribution, Radcliffe is being honored with the organization's Hero Award at a ceremony in New York in June.
"It's fantastic," Radcliffe told The Associated Press. "The fact that they think of what I've done by promoting awareness of the Trevor Project itself and the issues that it works to promote and help is a great honor."
The Trevor Hero Award, announced Monday, recognizes a person who serves as an inspiration to sexual minority youths and increases visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning, or LGBTQ, community. Past Hero Award recipients include screen and stage actor Nathan Lane, screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and former Miss America and "Ugly Betty" actress Vanessa Williams.
While privileged to be a part of this group carrying forward the organization's life-saving work, Radcliffe said he feels a little bashful about it, too.
"The people that are doing the heroic things are the people answering phones 24 hours a day in the Trevor call centers," he said. "I think that out of everything that I've done so far in my career, I think this is absolutely one of the most important, if not the most important, thing that I'm associated with."
Radcliffe, currently appearing in the Broadway revival of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," says audience members often acknowledge his work with the organization.
"I meet people at the stage door every night that thank me for what I'm doing with the Trevor project," he said proudly.
The Trevor Project was founded in 1998 by filmmakers James Lecesne, Peggy Rajski and Randy Stone. Their 1994 film, "Trevor," about a gay 13-year-old boy who tried to commit suicide after his friends learned of his sexuality, won the Academy Award for Film Short. The film was the catalyst for the birth of the organization after it was shown on HBO in 1998.
Radcliffe became aware of the Trevor Project in 2008 during his Broadway debut in a revival of "Equus." Since 2009, he has appeared in public service announcements and has made public statements in support of the organization.
The last installment of the "Harry Potter" franchise, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," will be released in June.
Along with Radcliffe, who plays the title character in the "Harry Potter" movies," the Trevor Project will honor Ernst & Young LLP with the Trevor 2020 Award, for a corporation that has provided support for the community and increased understanding of LGBTQ issues.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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