Actor Sean Hayes, who played way-gay Jack McFarland on the groundbreaking sitcom "Will & Grace," will be honored at the Atlanta HRC Dinner, set for May 5 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

Hayes, currently starring in "The Three Stooges," joins U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), the first openly gay person elected to Congress, to add star power to the line-up for the 25th Atlanta Dinner. He will receive the HRC Visibility Award at the event.

"This award is given to an LBGT member of our community who brings positive and wide-spread visibility to our cause. These attributes align with HRC’s mission of creating a country that inspires and engages all Americans to work toward ending discrimination against LGBT citizens and realizing a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all," organizers said in a press release tonight announcing Hayes' appearance.

The Atlanta HRC Dinner also presents two awards to local activists each year. For 2012, the Dan Bradley Humanitarian Award goes to The Health Initiative, which recently broadened its focus and changed its name from the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative.

The Leon Allen & Winston Johnson Community Service Award will be presented to Rev. Phillip Thomason, who serves as minister of outreach and pastoral care at St. Mark United Methodist Church and has a long list of community involvement, including work with the Atlanta Interfaith AIDS Network and other HIV organizations.

The dinner takes place at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, beginning with the VIP reception at 5 p.m. The silent auction opens then for VIP and Federal Club members, and opens its doors to all attendees at 5:45 p.m. The dinner program begins at 7:15 p.m.

Tickets start at $75 for HRC Federal Club members, with general admission going for $200. Special $100 tickets are available to students, current military service members and parents attending with their children. Formal attire is encouraged, though the dinner website notes that business attire is also “welcome.”

The evening includes a performance during the dinner by Frenchie Davis, who gained fame on “American Idol” and “The Voice” and has performed at Pride celebrations around the country.

Popular Atlanta DJ Mike Pope spins for the after-party at the Hyatt immediately following the dinner.

Top photo: Actor Sean Hayes of "Will & Grace" fame (publicity photo)