Happy Birthday to wonderful Judith Light!

Judith Light is the real deal.

Not only is she a great actress, but she is a great humanitarian. Judith, currently starring in ABC’s Ugly Betty,is beloved by the LGBT community for her extensive involvement in several causes like The Point Foundation and organizations like Outfest.

It all began in the early 1980s after she won two Emmys for ABC’s One Life to Live and was about to begin an eight-year run on ABC’s Who’s the Boss. Judith was horrified by the AIDS epidemic and the government’s lack of action when people, including her friends, were dying. She was one of the first celebrities, way back in the early 80s, to step-up and help to raise money and awareness.

“I’ve been part of the really dark days,” Judith told me at the Ribbon of Hope event back in 2007. “How it feels now is it feels mildly better but it’s not enough. I know that people are working really hard to make it be different and that’s what we have to keep doing …[HIV/AIDS is) out there and it’s not over.”

I love what Judith said at another awards show earlier that year about gay people: “You are my teachers, you are my role models. You risk everything to be authentic. Do you know how rare that is in this culture? …People who are out and who are willing to risk in order to lead.”

This wonderful woman turns 61 years old today and I hope she is having a terrific birthday.