The Atlanta chapter of the Human Rights Campaign announced today that director and producer Lee Daniels has joined the speaking line-up for this year's Atlanta Gala Dinner on May 14.

Daniels, who directed Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, will join Academy Award-winning actress Mo'Nique, who will receive the organization's Ally for Equality Award at the dinner. Mo'Nique won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Precious.

According to HRC:

Daniels' background is filled with bold stories as real and gritty as the narratives from the films he creates. By the age of 21, Daniels had founded and was running his own health care agency, providing nurses to private homes and hospitals; he was simultaneously trying to be a screenwriter. After selling his health care business and giving up screenwriting, Daniels began managing actors such as Loretta Divine, Michael Shannon, Natasha Kinsky, and Aishwarya Rai. He turned to producing as a natural result of trying to find and create great material for his clients; the organic leap to directing came soon after. Daniels received the HRC National Visibility Award this past October at the HRC National Dinner in Washington, DC.

Top photo: Director/Producer Lee Daniels (courtesy photo)