UGLY BETTY, BROTHERS AND SISTERS AMONG GLAAD NOMINEES

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has announced the nominees and honourees for its 20th annual GLAAD Media Awards.

Among the film nominees: Gus Van Sant’s Academy Award-nominated Milk, Woody Allen’s Academy Award-nominated Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Jonah Markowitz’s Shelter, and Patrik-Ian Polk’s big-screen adaptation of his hit sitcom Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom.

In the television categories, the ABC network was the leading network; receiving six nominations for its shows including Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives and Ugly Betty.

BBC America’s hit shows Torchwood and Skins, HBO’s vampire drama True Blood, the episodes “Ghostfacers” from Supernatural and “Slam” from Ghost Whisperer also received nominations.

“The 20th anniversary of the GLAAD Media Awards is an excellent opportunity to reflect on how media representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community have evolved over the past two decades, clearly helping shape and evolve people’s hearts and minds about LGBT people,” said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano.

GLAAD also announced special awards for Tyra Banks, who will receive the Excellence in Media Award and for lesbian finance expert Suze Orman, who will receive the Vito Russo Award.

“Tyra Banks and Suze Orman have used their positions of power within the media to become strong advocates on behalf of the LGBT community,” Giuliano said. “They are changing hearts and minds, opening people’s eyes to our common humanity, and it is our privilege to honour them.”

The awards include 125 nominees in 26 English-language categories, and 60 Spanish-language nominees in 15 categories.

The GLAAD Media Awards recognise and honour media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives.

As in previous years, the GLAAD Media Awards will be handed out at three separate ceremonies: New York on March 28; in Los Angeles on April 18; and in San Francisco on May 9.