Katy Perry to be honored with the Trevor Hero Award

By Jessica Wedemeyer

Katy Perry is no stranger to taking home awards, and come Dec. 2, she better have dusted off the old trophy case in preparation for a new addition: the Trevor Hero Award. The pop star will be awarded with The Trevor Project's top honor at the organization's annual fundraising concert, Trevor Live.

"We're honoring her because, really, she has done so much to empower youth," said Abbe Land, executive director and CEO of the Trevor Project, a crisis intervention and suicide prevention service for LGBTQ youth. "A couple years ago when, unfortunately, a lot of young suicides made the news … [and] there was a very visible presence of suicide, Katy stepped up and was out there in the community, speaking against it. … Her support of marriage equality -- and equality for everyone, really -- is one of the many reasons we're supporting her as our hero this year."

Added Land, "[Her song] 'Firework' is all about empowering youth to just be who they are, and that's what we try to do is make sure that when a young person reaches out to us … we are there to say, 'The way you are is perfect. Just be the way you are.'"

RELATED: Eye Candy: Katy Perry

Katy will receive her award on Sunday, Dec. 2, at the 3rd annual Trevor Live in Hollywood. "Rock of Ages" and "Hairspray" director Adam Shankman is directing the musical extravaganza presented by Audi and Wells Fargo. It will feature performances by Kristin Chenoweth, Anna Kendrick, "Glee" stars Matthew Morrison, Darren Criss, and Naya Rivera, plus Jesse Tyler Ferguson, "American Idol" finalist Jessica Sanchez, and more.

"I open up my phone book, and I ask everybody to participate," said Shankman of this year's Trevor Live artists, who will be performing the music of composers and lyricists from the LGBTQ community. "I get to create a concert event that will never be seen in any other context."

Shankman, who directed Katy's ex-husband, Russell Brand, in "Rock of Ages," also sang his honoree's praises, explaining what makes her a Trevor Hero: "Katy is a superstar in terms of helping teenagers and young people believe in who they are and in their futures, saying 'If I can be here, you can be here.' She's amazing. … I know her, and she's so sort of awe struck by her achievements, so I think this is a great moment for her."