GLAAD Honors MTV
Chief and Judy Shepard

Barbara Walters, MTV Networks president Brian Graden, and Judy Shepard were honored Monday night at the 19th annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. Monday's was the first of four award ceremonies, which recognize media outlets for LGBT-inclusive coverage and subject matter. The other three ceremonies are scheduled for April 12 in South Florida, April 26 in Los Angeles, and May 10 in San Francisco. British comedian and talk-show host Graham Norton hosted the show for the capacity audience of 1,600, according to a press release by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

"Should we really accept present reality?" Graden said in accepting his award. "A world where jobs are not protected? Where kids like Sean [William Kennedy] are still dying because we have no hate-crimes legislation? Where I can serve in the military but I have to shut up about it? Where I can't marry the man I love or have a family? Once and for all, the answer is: Never shall we accept that reality...because we are not invisible."

Walters's award was for the 20/20 story "My Secret Self: A Story of Transgender Children," which shared the award for Outstanding TV Journalism-Newsmagazine with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" from 60 Minutes.

The ceremonies will be shown on Bravo later this year, which will be the first time that the awards will be telecast. (The Advocate)

A full list of Monday night's winners:

Excellence in Media Award: Judy Shepard (presented by Kate Clinton)

Vito Russo Award: Brian Graden (presented by Alec Mapa and Randy Jackson)

Outstanding Film-Wide Release: Stardust (Paramount Pictures)

Outstanding Film-Limited Release: The Bubble (Strand Releasing)

Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular LGBT character): "Do Tell," Boston Legal (ABC)

Outstanding Documentary: For the Bible Tells Me So (First Run Films)

Outstanding Daily Drama: As the World Turns (CBS)

Outstanding TV Journalism-Newsmagazine: (tie) "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," 60 Minutes (CBS) and "My Secret Self: A Story of Transgender Children," 20/20 (ABC)

Outstanding TV Journalism-News Segment: "The First Casualty," Anderson Cooper 360deg (CNN)

Outstanding Newspaper Article: "Aging and Gay, and Facing Prejudice in Twilight" by Jane Gross (The New York Times)

Outstanding Newspaper Overall Coverage: The New York Times

Outstanding Magazine Article: "Dying to Come Out: The War on Gays in Iraq" by David France (GQ)

Outstanding Digital Journalism Article: "Gay Newsmen-A Clearer Picture" by James Hillis (AfterElton.com)

Outstanding Digital Journalism-Multimedia: "Uncovering America: Fighting for Acceptance" (CNN.com)

Outstanding Music Artist: Rufus Wainwright, Release the Stars

Outstanding Comic Book: Strangers in Paradise by Terry Moore (Abstract Studio)

Outstanding New York Theater-Broadway and off-Broadway: The Beebo Brinker Chronicles by Kate Moira Ryan and Linda S. Chapman

Outstanding New York Theater-off-off Broadway: BASH'd: A Gay Rap Opera by Chris Craddock and Nathan Cuckow; music by Aaron Macri

Special Recognition: BET J

SPANISH-LANGUAGE

Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular LGBT character): "El Amor de Mi Hijo," Lo Que Callamos las Mujeres (Azteca America)

Outstanding Celebrity News Segment: "Comunicado de Christian Chavez, de RBD," Ventaneando America (Azteca America)

Outstanding TV Journalism-Newsmagazine: "Angel del Odio," Noticentro 4 (WAPA America)

Outstanding Newspaper Article: "Los Olvidados de la Reforma Migratoria" by Judith Torrea (El Diario/La Prensa, New York)

Outstanding Newspaper Overall Coverage: El Nuevo Dia, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Outstanding Magazine Article: "RBD Enfrenta la Verdad" by Maria Morales (People en Espanol)

Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: TV y Novelas, USA

Outstanding Digital Journalism Article: "Cierra Tus Ojos" by Andres Fortuno (Terra.com)

Outstanding Digital Journalism-Multimedia: "Tacos y Tacones" by Sergio Chapa and Ben Torres (AlDiaTX.com)

Outstanding Music Artist: RBD, Empezar Desde Cero

Special Recognition: Homofrecuencia (WRTE 90.5 FM, Chicago)