Cher's transgender son Chaz Bono is to be honored with a special award from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) for his work in promoting equality.

Bono, who was born a woman, became the first transgender contestant on TV talent show Dancing With The Stars last year, earning the series the Outstanding Reality Program trophy at the GLAAD prizegiving in New York last month .

He will now be honored with a special accolade in his own right after GLAAD bosses named him the recipient of the organization's Stephen F. Kolzak Award.

GLAAD acting president Mike Thompson says in a statement, "His (Bono) bold leadership in sharing his story as a transgender man, as well as his tireless work to secure equality for every American, embodies the values of GLAAD's Stephen F. Kolzak Award. Chaz has opened the door for countless others, reshaping the way Americans think about transgender people today."

Bono will receive the award at a star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles on April 21st. Previous recipients of the award include Ellen DeGeneres, Wanda Sykes, Rufus Wainwright and Melissa Etheridge.