GLSEN Celebrates 20 Years at the Seventh Annual GLSEN Respect Awards - New York (Video & Photos)

GLSEN celebrated 20 years of making schools safe for all students on Monday by honoring Cyndi Lauper, Pfizer, American Express, Student Advocate of the Year Danielle Smith, and David Dechman and Michel Mercure at the seventh annual GLSEN Respect Awards - New York.

One of GLSEN's most successful events to date, the gala also marked the first LGBT event for country music star Chely Wright, who came out earlier this month. She called the event her proudest moment yet as an out LGBT person.

Among the high-profile guests in attendance at Monday's event were prolific photographer Annie Liebovitz; openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson; 10-year-old LGBT activist Will Phillips, who refuses to say the Pledge of Allegiance; LGBT youth activist Constance McMillen, who was denied the right to bring her girlfriend to prom; Broadway actress Katie Finneran; actor and winner of 'The Amazing Race,' Reichen Lehmkuhl; playwright and founder of the Tectonic Theatre Project, Moises Kaufman; GLSEN Board Member and a mother whose bullied child died by suicide, Sirdeaner Walker; 2009 GLSEN Student Advocate of the Year, Austin Laufersweiler; and GLSEN Educator of the Year, Mary Jane Karger. The event also featured performances by the Youth Pride Chorus.

"As GLSEN celebrates 20 years of working to ensure safe schools for all students, we are continually amazed by and grateful for the courageous student, education and philanthropic leaders who support our mission," said GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard. "Our Respect Awards honorees represent the best of our collective efforts to make our schools better, our children safer, and ultimately happier."

GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard talks about 20 years of GLSEN and safer schools.

Cyndi Lauper accepts the Inspiration Awards

Celebrate 20 years of GLSEN's work to ensure that all students are valued and respected.