NBC Chairman Bob Greenblatt Honored at Family Equality Council L.A. Awards Dinner

NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt was the top honoree of the Family Equality Council L.A. Awards Dinner, held on Feb. 9 at the Globe Theatre in Universal Studios, which praised the network for pioneering diversity in TV, most notably the portrayal of LGBT characters.

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"Network TV doesn't have to have an agenda, but it must be relevant," Greenblatt said. "It's not only good art but good business. I'm also challenged as a TV exec to always do better."

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Chris Kluwe of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings also was honored for his open letter defending the words of a Baltimore Ravens player in support of marriage equality against a Maryland state assembly delegate. The award was presented by Molly Shannon, who read the letter aloud.

Glee's Darren Criss presented the award to Virginia Uribe, founder of Project 10 and Friends of Project 10, L.A. public school programs that offers support to schools for LGBT students.

Ryan Murphy, Adam Shankman and The New Normal's Justin Bartha and Georgia King also were in attendance.

Executive director of the Family Equality Council Jennifer Chrisler spoke on behalf of the 1 million LGBT parents raising 2 million children and also announced her resignation after eight years.

"I leave knowing that deep in our heart truth is on our side," Chrisler said. "Our families will not and cannot be denied. It has been a passion to share your stories."

The evening raised $80,000 on the spot and a total of $465,000 from the event as a whole.

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The NBC award was presented by Hayes and Andrew Rannells. Hayes, famous for his role in the LGBT-centric Will & Grace, is slated to return to the network in a pilot opposite Linda Lavin from creator Victor Fresco (Better Off Ted).

Rannells of The New Normal also plays guest role Elijah on HBO's Girls, and while the gay ex-boyfriend of Lena Dunham's Hannah Horvath will not appear for the rest of this season, he will be returning. "I definitely hope to come back for season three," he told The Hollywood Reporter.

The awards dinner was hosted by comedian Alec Mapa and chaired by HBO senior vp Casey Bloys and Dan Bucantinsky of ABC's Scandal. Centropolis Entertainment, HBO and NBC were among the sponsors.