On December 1, the annual OUTmusic Awards will celebrate 20 years of music history in the heart of Times Square. This year's nominees reflect a diversity of rising and established artists all working together to promote equality through music. The event will be hosted by comedians Julie Goldman and Jonny McGovern with co-host comedian Tammy Peay and will feature a special appearance by Dr. Carol Channing.  The award ceremony will take place on World AIDS Day at The Town Hall in New York City. This year’s honorees include Melissa Etheridge – Lifetime Achievement Award; Sheryl Lee Ralph – Pillar Award; Wayne Besen – Visionary Award; Chely Wright – Vanguard Award; international disco icon SYLVESTER – OUTmusic Icon Award; Cyndi Lauper – Person of the Year Award; Randy Jones of the Village People Cowboy – Heritage Award; and 2005 Kennedy Center ‘Women In Music’ Honoree Paula ‘Sticks’ Hampton – The OUTMusic Living Legend Award. “I’m so very proud to continue the 20 years of the organization in recognizing the best and the brightest in the LGBTQ music community and spotlight the quintessential group of LGBTQ music makers that work so hard to highlight their talent in an industry that often overlooks us,” said Diedra Meredith, chairwoman of the board of directors for the LGBT Academy of Recording Arts (LARA) home of the OUTMUSIC Awards. LARA also announced the launch of its Sponsor a Young Person initiative, a series of public service announcements featuring Melissa Etheridge, Carol Channing, Bishop Gene Robinson, Chely Wright, Tammy Peay, Tony Sweet, Yetta Kurland, Calpernia Adams, Kamora Herrington, Shangela of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Julie Goldman, Jonny McGovern, the cast of Drama Queenz, Deepa Soul, Momma and Melange Lavonne among others. The initiative aims at raising awareness around the HIV/AIDS epidemic among 13 to 25 year-olds. Categories and Nominees include: OUTstanding Rock Song Christine Martucci, Ocean Ave Dylan Rice , Homewrecker's Lament Ariel  Aparicio, People Who Died Melissa Li & The Barely Theirs, The Beginning Hunter Valentine, Revenge OUTstanding Pop Song Matthew David, Masquerade Avi Wisnia New Year Rachael Sage Big Star Jen Urban & the Box, 21 Chad D, Life Is A Ride OUTstanding Rap Song INFINITE ft baron Why U Hate Me I.K.P. (The Infamous King of Positivity) Let It B. Known Foxxjazell Ride or Die Boy (Pride remix) Tim'm West Fly-Brotha Chad D -Human Link OUTstanding R&B Song Tyrangem - Human Beings Nhojj - The Gay Warrior Song Marck Angel - Go Baby Go (Remix) - ft. Bry'Nt & Kaoz Kalup Linzy presents  -In My Head aka Techno Rumba Jesse O - All That I Can Say OUTstanding DANCE Song Chadwick - Intoxicated Lori Michaels - REBOUND Jen Urban & the Box - 21 Killian Wells - V.I.P. Jonathan Luke – Joy Toy (Twisted Dee Remix OUTstanding Folk/Country Jill Knight - Don't make me cry Justin Utley - Stand For Something Backseat Bordello - Drag Me Christine Havrilla -  Waiting Fall Away - Stillness (Title Track in feature film) OUTstanding Jazz Terese Genecco – I Ain't Got Nobody Shaynee Rainbolt - I Only Have Eyes For You Avi Wisnia - The Back of Your Hand OUTstanding Song on a Soundtrack Fall Away - The Humiliation Fall Away - The Walk Fall Away - Jakes Misery Mark Barnes - Alive - Summer Christian Andreason - Exiting Eden OUTstnading Male Chorus Heartland Men's Chorus - We Shall Overcome Boston Gay Men's Chorus - A Love That Will Never Grow Old OUTstanding Spiritual Christine Havrilla  - Take Me to the River Gary Floyd - Behold Ray Boltz – I Will Choose To Love Lindsey Kane - You'll Be Whole Heartland Men's Chorus-I Will Stand With You OUTstanding Comedy Vontanner - Tranny Angel Paul James Frantz - Think of What Could Happen OUTstanding International Song Matthew David - Masquerade Mark Barnes - Aztec Calling Kid Akimbo - Disco Berimbau (Riera Remix) OUTstanding Producer TwinkleU - Make Up Your Mind Kid Akimbo - Fun Boyz Rachael Sage - Hope's Outpost Brian Kent - I'll Find A Way OUTstanding Songwriter of the Year Justin Utley -Stand For Something Ray Boltz - Don't Tell Me Who To Love Christine Martucci - Child Inside Rachael Sage  - Hope's Outpost Nhojj - The Gay Warrior Song OUTstanding Single of the Year Sonia of Disappear Fear - Who I Am Brian Kent - I'll Find A Way Ray Boltz - Don't Tell Me Who To Love Justin Utley - Stand For Something Terese Genecco - If I Was A Boy OUTstanding Love Song of the Year Terese Genecco - If I Was A Boy Gary Floyd - Love Of My Life Phil Putnam - Paris Ray Boltz - You Came To Me Phyllis A Travis - Troubador of Woes (Oh Peggy, My Love) OUTstanding OUTmusician Melange Lavonne - Gay Parenting "I've Got You" Linq - Oh Bully Heartland Men's Chorus - MLK Justin Utley -Stand For Something Ray Boltz - Swimming Hole OUTstanding Video of the Year Hunter Valentine  -  Revenge Athena Reich - The Logical Song Rachael Sage - Big Star Avi Wisnia - Rabbit Hole Melange Lavonne - Gay Marriage OUTstanding Album of the Year Hunter Valentine -The Stalker Lessons From the Late Night Heartland Men's Chorus - MLK Freedom Ray Boltz - True True Rachael Sage - Hope's Outpost Delancey Street Gary Floyd - Behold The Gospel of Zen Sonicbids OUTMUSIC Awards Humanitarian Songwriter of the Year: Backstreet Bordello - "Rise Up" Candice Anitra - "We Are Love" Van Rissegham - "Run and Hide" Silvina - "No Se Porque" For more information, visit: http://www.outmusic.com/awards.html