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: