Sam Smith To Honour Beverly Glenn-Copeland at Toronto’s Pink Triangle Press Awards

Sam Smith is planning a big moment for Beverly Glenn-Copeland.

The global pop superstar is set to honour the beloved Canadian singer and composer at this year’s Pink Triangle Press (PTP) Awards in Toronto.

The event is hosted by Schitt’s Creek’s Emily Hampshire and Canada’s Drag Race choreographer Hollywood Jade, and Glenn-Copeland will be receiving the Legacy Award and is one of six key 2LGBTQ+ figures being celebrated at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel on November 6.

The Ontario-based singer-songwriter is known for his work on the 1960’s children’s show, Mr. Dressup, and the 2015 re-issue of his 1986 electronic album, Keyboard Fantasies, which won the Polaris Heritage Prize in 2020. He released his first studio album in 20 years, The Ones Ahead, in 2023.

Last year, Smith collaborated with Glenn-Copeland on a reimagined version of “Ever New,” a standout track on Keyboard Fantasies — for the Red Hot Org compilation album, Transa (stylized as TRAИƧA), which benefited equal access to health care and celebrates trans people. The cover closed out the album, featuring over a hundred artists in celebration of the trans community, including Canadian Allison Russell, who covered the soulful song "Any Other Way" by Jackie Shane.

"Trans people have always existed, with many different names across time and culture, often as spiritual healers and leaders," Glenn-Copeland said of the project. "May this be a glimpse of our collective liberation, and the light inside all of us."

Yet, Glenn-Copeland's comeback hasn't arrived without challenges. Last September, the singer revealed he was living with dementia in a video, alongside his wife and creative collaborator Elizabeth Glenn-Copeland. "So far, it does not impact my ability to be fully in the moment with those I love," he shared. He later embarked on a North American tour, which he said would be his last.

At the PTP Awards, Glenn-Copeland will be toasted alongside Sort Of star Bilal Baig, Reservation Dogs actor Devery Jacobs, Rough Trade vocalist Carole Pope, American writer Harper Steele and lawyer Douglas Elliott for their cultural contributions to the Canadian queer community.

In its second edition, the awards ceremony is run by media company Pink Triangle Press, and is designed to recognize notable 2LGBTQ+ Canadians. Each receives a cash amount to donate to an individual or community organization they feel has made a difference.

Last year’s recipients included actor Elliot Page, musicians Rufus Wainwright and Jeremy Dutcher, hockey player Marie-Philip Poulin, plus activists Latoya Nugent and Salah Bachir — the latter of whom was awarded 2024’s Legacy Award.

Tickets to the gala and after party are available here.