GLAAD Awards to Honor D-Lister Griffin and L Worders

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation will bestow Kathy Griffin with its Vanguard Award at the Los Angeles edition of the 20th annual GLAAD Media Awards, to be held April 18. 

The Vanguard Award is presented to media professionals who increase understanding and the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. GLAAD cited Griffin's work on her Emmy-winning Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, plus her comedy specials and stand-up routines.

Past recipients of the Vanguard Award include Charlize Theron, Eric McCormack, Elizabeth Taylor and Liza Minnelli.

Also at this year's GLAAD Media Awards, Showtime's recently wrapped The L Word will receive a Special Recognition Award. The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson — the first openly gay Bishop of the Episcopal Church, and who delivered the invocation at the opening celebration of the Presidential Inauguration — will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award.

The GLAAD Media Awards will be held March 28 (in New York City), April 18 (Los Angeles) and May 9 (San Francisco). A full list of nominations can be found here.