GLAAD hands out kudos to media

Thesp Close saluted with Excellence in Media Award

By LILY OEI

The 13th annual GLAAD Media Awards Monday night honored people and projects in the media that offer fair and inclusive representations of the gay community.

Thesp Glenn Close was saluted with the Excellence in Media Award for making a significant difference in promoting equal rights for lesbian, gay and transgender people. The Vito Russo Award went to Nathan Lane, for his outstanding contribution in combating homophobia. Lane was unable to pick up the award in person, so Russo's mother, Anne, and his brother Charles accepted it on Lane's behalf.

Barbara Walters received a standing ovation along with the prize for TV journalism for a "20/20" segment on gay parenting called "The Children Speak."

"We have done a great many programs about gays and lesbians," Walters said on accepting the kudos. "We hope that we've opened some minds -- and if they're not open, we just don't care anymore."

Event was held at Gotham's Marriott Marquis. Guests and hosts included Kristen Johnson, Cynthia Nixon, Rue McClanahan and Bea Arthur. More awards will be handed out later this spring at ceremonies in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

And the winners are:

Excellence in Media Award: Glenn Close

Vito Russo Award: Nathan Lane

Film, Limited Release: "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" (Fine Line Features)

Television Movie: "What Makes a Family" (Lifetime)

Daytime Drama: "All My Children" (ABC Daytime)

Newspaper Overall Coverage: USA Today

Newspaper Columnist: Leonard Pitts Jr. (Miami Herald)

TV Journalism: "The Children Speak," "20/20" (ABC News)

Magazine Overall Coverage: New York Times Magazine

Advertising/Print: "Absolut GLAAD," Absolut Vodka

New York Theater -- Broadway & Off Broadway: "The Invention of Love"

New York Theater -- Off Off Broadway: "In on It"