EMMY, TONY, and Golden Globe-nominated star Matthew Morrison has just announced that he is partnering with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) in support of LGBT equality. Partial proceeds from the pre-sale of his new studio album, Where It All Began, will benefit HRC. The album, which will be released on June 4, 2013, features an assortment of classic standards, many of which were first made famous in Broadway musicals. Morrison turned to legendary producer Phil Ramone, along with GRAMMY Award-winning producer Gregg Field, to create the 12 songs featured on Where It All Began. The record marks the first release from 222 Records, the newly formed label from Adam Levine. Place your pre-order of Where It All Began now, on Amazon.com, and 222 Records in partnership with Matthew Morrison will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Human Rights Campaign.
"I'm thrilled to join HRC in their vital work to bring full equality to all Americans," said
Matthew Morrison. "At this decisive moment, when there is so much work still ahead, I'm standing with HRC and LGBT people across the country until this fight is won."
Matthew has used his platform to publicly support LGBT equality and today released a video for HRC's Americans for Marriage Equality. The public engagement campaign features prominent Americans who support committed gay and lesbian couples getting married. The campaign draws from a cadre of supportive professional athletes, film and music celebrities, and political and civic leaders.
"It was so great working with Matthew on Where It All Began. He is an amazing artist and we are longtime friends," said
Adam Levine. "We're both huge supporters of the LGBT community and I'm glad that partial proceeds from the pre-sale of this album will go toward such a great cause."
"Not only is Matthew a brilliant musical talent, but perhaps more importantly he is a fantastic human being," said HRC President
Chad Griffin." "His support for equality at this critical time in our nation's history is something that is important to all fair minded Americans."
After studying musical theater, vocal performance and dance at NYU's Tisch School of The Arts,
Matthew Morrison made his debut on Broadway in Footloose, followed by The Rocky Horror Picture Show. However, it was his role as Link Larkin in the original cast of the Broadway production of Hairspray that served as his breakthrough and led to him being cast in the critically acclaimed The Light In The Piazza. His portrayal of young lover Fabrizio Naccarelli garnered him a TONY nomination for best performance by a featured actor in a musical. He subsequently received a Drama Desk nomination for outstanding actor in the off-Broadway musical 10 Million Miles and reprised the role of Lieutenant Cable in Lincoln Center's TONY-nominated production of South Pacific. Matthew soon followed these performances with his role as the perpetually optimistic high school teacher Will Schuester on FOX TV's Glee, which he has received both EMMY and two Golden Globe nominations. He most recently co-starred alongside
Cameron Diaz and
Jennifer Lopez in the major motion picture What To Expect When You're Expecting.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
For more information, please visit
www.matthewmorrison.com.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos
