Streisand gets gay rights award

Barbra Streisand is to receive a Human Rights Campaign award for her support of gay and lesbian issues, religious freedom, and racial and gender equality.

The group, which lobbies on behalf of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender people, will present Streisand with its Humanitarian Award on March 6.

The gay and lesbian “community and the nation have been enriched by Ms. Streisand,” said Elizabeth Birch, the group’s executive director. “Her passion and leadership are important to all Americans.”

The group said Streisand, 61, took a stand against an anti-gay-rights proposal in Colorado in 1992 and has been a regular financial contributor to the Human Rights Campaign and other gay and lesbian organisations.