Source: Associated Press, BBC, GLAAD press release

Portia De Rossi and Ellen Degeneres at last night's GLAAD awards. Degeneres presented the group's Vanguard Award to Janet Jackson. photo via EvilBeetGossip

Bravo's Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List won an award last night for outstanding reality program during the 19th annual Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Media Awards at the Kodak Theatre on Saturday night. Griffin accepted the award from "my gays."

Earlier, Griffin opened the show by inviting her mother, Maggie Griffin, onstage to quiz her about her knowledge of the LGBT community.

Photographer Herb Ritts, who died in 2002, was given the group's Pioneer award. The award was presented by Tom Ford, and accepted by Cindy Crawford on behalf of the Herb Ritts Foundation.

"Herb Ritts clearly understood the power and importance of positive LGBT images in the media," Crawford said.  "He once said, 'The more the public can see examples of people of the same sex together, the more the barriers will be broken.'  I know how much it would have meant to Herb to be here himself to receive this honor from GLAAD, in his hometown, basking in the love and respect of his community."

The annual awards which honor good work in media presentations of gays and lesbians are split into four ceremonies, held in Los Angeles, New York, Miami and San Francisco. Remaining awards will be presented in San Francisco on May 10 at the San Francisco Marriott.

GLAAD announced after the New York ceremony in March that Bravo which will present a telecast the awards later this year.

Two ABC series -- Brothers & Sisters and Ugly Betty -- received awards for outstanding drama and comedy series.

Both shows, which feature openly gay or transsexual regular characters, received the same awards last year from GLAAD.

On Brothers & Sisters, Matthew Rhys plays Kevin, a lawyer sibling whose dating life is frequently depicted on the drama. Ugly Betty features Marc St. James, the flamboyantly gay assistant played by Michael Urie, as well as Alexis Meade, the transsexual editor played by Rebecca Romijn.

Michael Urie, Becki Newton, Christopher Gorham, and Tony Plana joined executive producer Silvio Horta to accept the award for Ugly Betty.

Brothers & Sisters actors Sally Field, Rachel Griffiths, Matthew Rhys, Ron Rifkin, and Balthazar Getty joined executive producers Alison Schapker, Monica Breen, and Producer David Marshall Grant in accepting the award for their show.

Ellen DeGeneres presented Janet Jackson with GLAAD's Vanguard Award, honoring media professionals who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

"To everyone at GLAAD and everyone in this room, I would just to say that I hope I can always walk worthy of this award that I have both in my hand and my heart," Jackson said in her acceptance speech.

Sharon Stone presented the Stephen F. Kolzak Award to Rufus Wainwright.  The Stephen F. Kolzak Award is presented to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community.

Full article: 'Brothers & Sisters,' 'Ugly Betty' win GLAAD awards again | Associated Press
Gay honour for TV hit Ugly Betty | BBC News
19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles | GLAAD press release