YOUR FAVORITE LOGO TV SHOWS ARE ON PARAMOUNT+

Justin Timberlake, Zachary Quinto, LGBT Youth Honored At GLSEN Respect Awards

hank you for starting a change that one day will make it possible for our own son to grow up and thrive in a world where all he has to do is just be himself," said Timberlake

On Friday, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel received the Inspiration Award at GLSEN's Respect Awards in Los Angeles.

But the Hollywood duo revealed their inspiration was Mars Hallman, GLSEN's Student Advocate of the Year, when they donned "RESPECT" caps and declared "We're big Mars fans."

Other boldfaced couples at the 11th annual gala included honorary chairsSimon Halls and Matt Bomer, Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg, Jim Parsons and Todd Spiewak, and Julia Roberts and Danny Moder.

Timberlake related how when he as 12, his good friend Matt came out to him while the two were riding bikes in Orlando. Though he says it was easy to accept the news, he and Biel are "blown away" by the strength of those who face a harder path.

"Every day, all of you are standing proudly on the right side of history," said Timberlake. Thank you for starting a ... change that one day will make it possible for our own son to grow up and thrive in a world where ... all he has to do is just be himself."

Hallman identifies as transgender and is a 16-year-old senior at Berrien High School in Nashville, Georgia, where acceptance can be hard to find.

They've worked to add gender expression to their school’s anti-bullying policy and to create a gender-neutral restroom.

Joined by 15-year-old GLSEN National Student Council member Cici JordanStar Trek, director JJ Abrams presented honoree Zachary Quinto with the organiation's Champion Award, calling the actor a "kind and generous and funny and thoughtful man."

Quinto remarked that, in the five years since he had come out publicly, there's been more social and political change for the LGBT community than every before.

"We have triumphed in so many ways recently. In that triumph, we stand on the shoulders of many pioneers and fighters and younger people who never had the good fortune to witness the fruits of their labors," Quinto added.

"To them, we all owe a debt of gratitude and in the memory of those truer champions than I will ever be, I humbly accept this honor.”

Dr. Eliza Byard, GLSEN’s executive director, recounted how her own mother was one of the first teachers to advocate for LGBT students 25 years ago, when GLSEN was born.

“Years later she told me about that day, saying ‘What I remember most was the fear I saw in that room,’” Byard said, reminding the audience that, back then, teachers were afraid of being fired just for speaking out for gay kids.

“In 1990, nobody talked about LGBT issues in the K-12 classroom. What a journey it has been from that meeting room to this ballroom.”

YouTube received GLSEN's Chairman award for offering a platform for awareness and acceptance for the LGBT community.

“Think about it, YouTube is just barely 10 years old," said presenter Jeffrey Katzenberg, wearing a pink cast from an earlier injury. "There probably does not exist a more important, valuable and open tool for people to be themselves.”

h/t: Billboard

Latest News