Emmy Nominated Actress Laverne Cox And Television Host Ross Mathews Join Marriott Rewards' #LoveTravels, To Celebrate Capital Pride

BETHESDA, Md., June 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Marriott Rewards' announces that Emmy-nominated actress Laverne Cox and host of Hollywood Today Live Ross Mathews are joining this year's #LoveTravels pride celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community as official ambassadors.

On Friday, June 10, Laverne Cox will unveil the #LoveTravels collaborative art installation, a collection of original art work submitted from people around the world, and dedicated to transgender lives and leaders everywhere. Ross Mathews, who is returning as a #LoveTravels ambassador for the second year, will join Laverne Cox to unveil the crowd-sourced installation, as well as join the Marriott Rewards #LoveTravels float during the Capital Pride Parade on Saturday, June 11.

Following a global call for travelers to submit their own artistic expressions of love to the award-winning #LoveTravels campaign, Marriott Rewards received over 3,500 submissions from nearly 100 countries over just two weeks, that will be blended in a powerful large-scale art installation.

For each individual art expression, Marriott Rewards and #LoveTravels will make a donation to support Casa Ruby's lifesaving mission. Casa Ruby is the only bilingual, multicultural LGBT organization providing critical services to many of the most vulnerable transgender residents of Washington, D.C. The funds will help support Casa Ruby's Drop-In and Crisis Intervention Center, as well as their Limited Financial Assistance program for those enrolled in career and employment services and to those facing extreme financial hardship.

"For me personally, Marriott Rewards' #LoveTravels creates powerful feelings because of who I am and what it stands for, sharing my vision of a world transformed by acceptance," said Laverne Cox. "Partnering with a global company that is applying its integrity, its reach and its voice to help break down barriers for all LGBT individuals - it's truly inspiring for me to join them."

Stacey Milne, Vice President of Portfolio Marketing Strategy & Planning, Marriott International said, "It's our honor to stand with the LGBT community, not just during the month of June, but year round. With the third iteration of our #LoveTravels campaign, we are reaffirming our commitment to equality and using our voice to shine a light on the struggle the transgender community and their allies are currently enduring. This time last year, we were on the brink of one of history's most significant Supreme Court decisions and this year, we're excited to be back to celebrate an expression of love through art, for transgender lives with our two very special guests, Laverne Cox and Ross Mathews."

Said Ross Mathews, "It means a lot to me that Marriott has asked me to join the #LoveTravels campaign again this year for Capital Pride, especially given the focus and celebration of transgender lives. On one hand, it's encouraging to see how far the nation has come in the past year, but on the other hand, I recognize how much more work must be done. #LoveTravels really resonates with me, and I can't wait to celebrate with everyone as we march in this year's parade."

Marriott Rewards also enlisted popular social media ambassadors and LGBT supporters from around the world to spread the #LoveTravels message including Jazz Jennings (TLC's "I am Jazz"), Miles Jai (@MilesJaiProductions on YouTube), Pepe y Teo (one of Mexico's most popular LGBT YouTubers), Shannon Beveridge and Cammie Scott (YouTube's "Now This is Living"), and Trent and Luke (married YouTube couple from the UK).

#LoveTravels kicked off in 2014 with Jason Collins, Geena Rocero, Tim Howard and Angela Simmons celebrating travelers exploring their personal passions and acclaiming their unique perspectives and experiences. It continued into 2015 with Hollywood star Diane Guerrero (OITNB, Jane the Virgin). During Capital Pride 2015, Marriott Rewards celebrated marriage equality by marrying George Carrancho and Sean Franklin in the Capital Pride Parade with TV personality Ross Mathews as officiant.

To join the conversation or learn more, travelers can visit www.lovetravelswithme.com, follow #LoveTravels and @MarriottRewards on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Marriott Rewards
Marriott Rewards is Marriott International's award-winning loyalty program spanning 17 brands and over 4,300 properties worldwide. Marriott Rewards is free to join and has no blackout dates and members can earn and redeem points at Marriott International properties around the world and at Marriott Rewards exclusive luxury partner The Ritz-Carlton®.  Members can also redeem points for frequent flyer miles, cruises, car rentals, merchandise and more. By making rewards accessible with a modern, easy approach, Marriott Rewards continues to be a leader in the industry. Marriott Rewards has won the Freddie Award for "Best Hotel Rewards Program in the Americas" for the last nine years and is a two-time winner of the Frequent Travel Award for "Best Hotel Rewards Program." The program was ranked #1 in J.D. Power's 2016 Hotel Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report. In addition, the program has been named best hotel rewards program by the readers of U.S. News & World Report, About.com, Business Traveler, Global Traveler, Executive Travel and BusinessWeek magazines. To enroll and for more information about Marriott Rewards, guests can visit MarriottRewards.com.

About Marriott International:
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with nearly 4,500 properties in 87 countries and territories.  Marriott International reported revenues of more than $14 billion in fiscal year 2015. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together comprise more than 56 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

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