From Look to the Stars:

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has announced that Golden Globe Award-winning actress and producer Drew Barrymore will receive the Vanguard Award, and Emmy Award-winning actress and comedian Wanda Sykes will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards on April 17 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.

The GLAAD Media Awards elevate and promote fair, accurate and inclusive stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues, people and allies that have increased awareness, understanding and respect for the lives of LGBT people. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD’s work to bring stories of LGBT people and issues to Americans.

Actress Drew Barrymore will receive the Vanguard Award which is presented to media professionals who have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community. In 2009, Barrymore took on the role of the lesbian daughter of a widower played by Robert De Niro in Everybody’s Fine, nominated for Outstanding Film – Wide Release at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards, and in 1995 starred in Boys on the Side which won the Outstanding Film award at the 7th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. She also joined thousands of marriage equality advocates in the streets of West Hollywood when the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, which eliminated marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Past recipients of The Vanguard Award include Charlize Theron, Antonio Banderas, Sharon Stone, Eric McCormack, Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli, Kathy Griffin and Whoopi Goldberg.

“I was born, bred and raised among diversity, it has defined me and made me the person I am today,” Barrymore said. “I’m honored and humbled to be receiving this award.”

The 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards announced its nominees in a wide variety of categories today. The event, presented by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), honors outstanding entertainment programming and news about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues; among the year’s 116 nominees in 24 English-language categories and 36 Spanish-language nominees in eight categories are the series “Mad Men,” “Modern Family,” “Glee” and “Grey’s Anatomy”; the feature films “A Single Man,” “Precious” and “Everybody’s Fine”; recording artists Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert and Brandi Carlile; and publications Entertainment Weekly, The Advocate and the Los Angeles Times.

“Sex and the City” star Cynthia Nixon will also be feted with the Vito Russo Award, which pays tribute to an openly LGBT individual who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights in that community. The Broadway cast of “Hair” will also receive special recognition for bringing attention to the issue of marriage equality.

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