Photo Credit: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images

Gloria Carter, JAY-Z’s mom, will be honored with a special recognition award at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.

Mr. Carter will be recognized for “Smile,” a song and visual from his 4:44 album that shared his mother Gloria Carter’s experience as a lesbian and acceptance of his mother’s identity.

The track, which features a sample of Stevie Wonder’s “Love’s in Need of Love Today,” details Gloria’s coming-out story from the perspective of her son. “Mama had four kids but she’s a lesbian/Had to pretend so long that she’s a thespian,” Hov raps before adding, “I cried tears of joy when you fell in love/Doesn’t matter to me if it’s a him or her.”

GLAAD’s president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement that Carter’s willingness to open herself up to her son and the world allowed for deeper, more meaningful conversations about the intersections of race and sexuality.

“By sharing her truth with the world, Gloria Carter increased visibility of lesbian women of color at a critical time and sent a powerful message of empowerment to the entire LGBTQ community,” Ellis said. “Her story and the unconditional love that her family exhibits resonate with so many. The GLAAD Media Awards will be a critical platform to honor her work and further this important message.”

The 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards will take place next month on May 5 in New York.