Light Illuminates Human Rights Causes

Two-time Tony Award-winner Judith Light will receive this year's Isabelle Stevenson Award for her advocacy to end HIV/AIDS and her support for the LGBTQ+ community. The award is presented annually to a member of the theater community who has made a substantial contribution to humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations. Light's support of LGBTQ+ and human rights dates back to the 1980s, when she aligned herself with numerous organizations, including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, GLAAD, NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, Project Angel Food, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, among many others. "The HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ communities are inspirations and demonstrations of how to be and live in the world; courageous, honorable and uplifting," said Light, a 1970 alumna of Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama. "They inspire me and it is my privilege to be of service to them." Light's commitment to each cause has come in various forms throughout the years. In 1993, she spoke at the LGBT March in Washington. In 1995, Light rode her bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles in the California AIDS Ride to support HIV/AIDS Programs for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.