Each year, the GLAAD Media Awards honors an openly LGBT media expert who has sought to promote equality. This year, Channing Tatum will present his White House Down director Roland Emmerich with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Because Emmerich works behind the scenes, movie viewers may not recognize his name. But those in the media industry know him for his work as a director as well as contributions to groups such as Outfest’s Legacy Project, The Los Angeles LGBT Center, and Freedom to Marry.

Most recently, the director earned praise for his efforts to make the 1969 Stonewall Riots come to life in his drama Stonewall. That event marked a sea change for those seeking LGBT equality.

GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis discussed why Emmerich was chosen for the award.

“As one of Hollywood’s most sought-after film directors, Roland Emmerich has entertained audiences across the globe. His generosity has touched the lives of countless LGBT people, bringing shelter to homeless youth and preserving culture-changing stories that help close the gap to full acceptance. Now, with the upcoming release of Stonewall, millions of moviegoers all across the world will see the harms of anti-LGBT discrimination and learn about the historic riots that forever changed equality in America.”

Previous recipients of the award include Ellen DeGeneres, Sir Ian McKellen, Laverne Cox, Wanda Sykes, Rufus Wainwright, Melissa Etheridge, and Bill Condon, reported E News.

Separate ceremonies will be held on each coast. In Los Angeles, the GLAAD Media Awards will occur on March 21 at the Beverly Hilton hotel. In New York, the awards will be presented on May 9 at the Waldorf Astoria.

In addition to the award presented by Channing, film and TV awards will highlight the ceremony. Outstanding Film nominees include The Imitation Game, Love Is Strange, Pride, The Skeleton Twins, Tammy, Dear White People, Life Partners, Lilting, The Way He Looks and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.

Television nominees are The Fosters, Game of Thrones, How to Get Away With Murder,Orphan Black, Transparent, Glee, Looking, Orange Is the New Black, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Modern Family.

As the Inquisitr reported, Glee has earned praise this year for taking on the challenge of portraying a woman going through the transition to become a man, in a transgender plot featuring Dot Marie Jones as Coach Beiste.

The musical drama also has shown the challenges faced by a gay teen, portrayed by Chris Colfer.

[Photo By Jason Merritt/Getty Images]