"Tower Heist" director Brett Ratner is set to receive a huge honor from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ratner will accept the inaugural Ally Award at the 2013 GLAAD Media Awards in New York. Ratner will also reportedly debut the "GLAAD Coming Out for Equality" public service announcement campaign he directed at the March 16 ceremony.
GLAAD President Herndon Graddick described Ratner to the Reporter as "a friend," adding that he "has been the most humble and willing to put his money and actions where his mouth is."
He noted, "There's no one who deserves this more than Brett does. GLAAD's interest is in bringing allies in to join us in our fight for total equality and he really did that."
It's a real about-face for the director, who also helmed "Red Dragon" and "X-Men: The Last Stand" among other films. When asked about his rehearsal process with actors at a 2011 screening of "Tower Heist," Ratner declared, "Rehearsing is for fags," according to New York Magazine's Vulture blog.
Though Ratner quickly apologized for the gaffe, the damage had already been done, and days hater, he resigned as a producer of the 84th Academy Awards ceremony as a result. Eddie Murphy, the director's close friend and choice for Oscars host, followed suit shortly afterward.
The GLAAD Media Awards ceremony is gearing up to be a particularly star-studded event this year. Also on hand will be pop queen Madonna, who has been chosen to present the Vito Russo Award, the evening's highest honor, to Anderson Cooper, according to the Associated Press.
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