On February 23rd the Human Rights Campaign will hold their big annual NY fundraising dinner (“Gala 2008”), and they’ll be honoring the lovely Vanessa Williams with this year’s “Ally For Equality” Award.

I’m a big fan of Vanessa and certainly don’t begrudge her the honor, but it seems like the recipient of this annual HRC award is always a big name celebrity who’s appearance at the fundraiser helps to sell tickets. (Last year’s recipient was Matthew Broderick.)

Is it cynical of me to note that? How about one year they give it to some suburban housewife who tirelessly devotes her time to manning the phones at a gay youth crisis center?

Okay, okay, the tickets to this shindig run $400 and up so that may be unrealistic — but maybe at least they can give out two “Ally for Equality” awards? One for a straight celeb (to pack the house), and one for a straight private citizen — a previously unsung hero doing something amazing for the gay community. Just a thought.

There’s no doubt at least that Vanessa Williams is very gay-friendly. First, there’s her great work on the gay fabulous Ugly Betty. As far as I’m concerned, anyone connected with that show is an ally to the GLBT community. Then there’s a 2005 interview where she went on record in favor of gay marriage:

“I completely support it. I have many gay friends that are married. Close male friends of mine have been living together as a couple for over 20 years, and they have adopted a beautiful baby girl who is now 3-years old. They are fantastic parents. Other gay couples I know are also looking to adopt. And then I have single gay friends who are adoptive parents.”

Pretty cool.

Okay, so maybe she does deserve the recognition by HRC. You know, this latest award got me thinking about Vanessa Williams’ amazing career prior to Ugly Betty. She’s so good as Wilhemina that it’s easy to forget all that came before.

Here’s just a few of her resume highlights:

• First African American Miss America (in 1984)
• Had to step down after 10 months when nude photos of her and another model acting out lesbian sex acts appeared in Penthouse.
• In 1991 her second album, The Comfort Zone, received five Grammy nominations and scored a number of hits including “Save the Best for Last.” which was number one in the US for five straight weeks.
• Made a few movies — the most high profile being Soul Food (for which she won a NAACP Image Award) and Eraser where she was stuck playing the damsel in distress opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger.
• Recorded “Colors of the Wind” for the Pocahontas soundtrack, and won a Grammy for it.
• Was an early Proactiv pitchwoman.
• Has a new album coming out in 2008 (her 8^th)
• Oh, I almost forgot — she was married to that L.A. Laker hottie Rick Fox!

That’s a pretty amazing career.