JANET AND UGLY BETTY FETED AT GAY MEDIA AWARDS

Janet Jackson and the television series Ugly Betty were among those awarded at the 19th GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Media Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday Night.

Pop star Janet Jackson was presented with the Vanguard Award by lesbian talk show host Ellen DeGeneres for her contribution to promoting equal rights for LGBT people.

Two high profile television shows were also recognised: Brothers & Sisters received the Outstanding Drama Series award while Outstanding Comedy Series went to Ugly Betty for the second year in a row.

Both shows are produced by the ABC television network.

The Stephen F. Kolzak Award, an honour given to an openly gay member of the entertainment or media community for his or her work toward eliminating homophobia, was given to singer Rufus Wainwright.

Celebrity model Cindy Crawford accepted the Pioneer Award on behalf of the late gay photographer Herb Ritts, while outrageous comedienne Kathy Griffin was awarded for her reality TV series My Life on the D-List.

The annual GLAAD Media Awards honour individuals and projects in media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.

The awards are handed out at four different ceremonies – in Los Angeles, New York, Miami and San Francisco – between March and May.