http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12415163

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12333442

 Pop singer Ricky Martin is to receive an award from a leading US gay and lesbian organisation after coming out as gay last year.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (Glaad) gives the Vito Russo Award to openly gay entertainers who promote equal rights.

“Ricky coming out was a game changer for many gay and transgender Latino children,” Glaad said.

“For too long, [they] did not have many out gay people to look up to.”

Martin will receive the honour at a ceremony in New York next month.

Tony Award and Emmy Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth will also be honoured after criticising a Newsweek article that said gay actors could not convincingly play straight roles.

“When allies like Kristin take such powerful stands against anti-gay sentiments in the media, it sends an important message of equality,” Glaad president Jarrett Barrios said.