LGBT-RELATED FILMS RECEIVE OSCAR NODS

Three acclaimed films with gay, bisexual and transgender characters have received nominations in this year’s Academy Awards race.

The nominees for the 84th Oscars were announced in Los Angeles on Tuesday with Martin Scorsese’s 3D family friendly film Hugo leading the pack with 11 nods and The Artist receiving 10 nominations.

Christopher Plummer was nominated in the Actor In a Supporting Role category for his role for as a gay father who comes out of the closet after his wife’s death in Beginners.

Rooney Mara is in the running for best Actress In a Leading Role for her performance as the bisexual computer hacker Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

Finally, Glenn Close (Leading Role) and Janet McTeer (Supporting Role) have been recognised for their performances in Albert Nobbs.

In the film, Close portrays a woman who lives as a lonely man, Albert, for 30 years in order to survive in 19th century Ireland. McTeer plays another woman living as a man, the painter Hubert, with a devoted wife.

The winners will be announced on 26 February in Hollywood in a ceremony hosted by comedian Billy Crystal.

The show was meant to be hosted by Eddie Murphy but he quit following the resignation of Academy Awards producer Brett Ratner due to his use of a gay slur while promoting his film Tower Heist last year.