Readers' Choice Award Nomination: Mary Lambert

"I'm a proud gay Christian," Mary Lambert announced to a crowd at a GLAAD event that took place this month in New York City. She received cheers in response. This is only the beginning of the praise for the emerging singer-songwriter who has found her voice both musically as well as lending her talent for LGBT advocacy.

Last year, when Macklemore & Ryan Lewis needed something to complete their pro-gay marriage anthem, "Same Love," they turned to be singer/spoken word artist Mary Lambert, who provides the beautifully haunting vocals on the chorus. Over the summer, the song has been getting a lot of radio play thanks to the Supreme Court's rulings on gay rights as well as performances on The Colbert Report and the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards. Lambert then used the momentum to spin off her own single based on the chorus, titled "She Keeps Me Warm," which debuted at 100 on the overall iTunes charts. A champion for same-sex love and open-mindedness, Lambert is gaining in popularity across the country and beyond as she prepares to record her first studio album.