GLAAD Awards Nominations Announced: Chaz Bono, Oprah, 'Modern Family,' More Honored

Getting us ready for what promises to be one of the most fabulous events of the upcoming awards season--or at least the one that features us most prominently--GLAAD released their list of nominees for the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awardsthis morning.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has a major influence in bringing awareness of queer issues to the mainstream press and their awards show gives recognition to media that shows strong and positive portrayals of LGBT people in all mediums, including movies, TV, music, journalism, and theater.

The list of nominees is packed with the familiar and the not-so-much, so get ready to update your Netflix queue and rearrange your DVR habits. The nominees for best mainstream movies of the year with gay representation are Albert Nobbs, Beginners, and J.Edgar. You may not have seen some of the independent films that got recognized today by GLAAD, but you need to watch Tomboy, Pariah and the much buzzed about gay rom-dram Weekend.

Comedy on television with prominent gay and lesbian characters that got nominations include the hilarious Modern Family and Glee. Up for best drama series are the scandalous Pretty Little Liars and the best show you're not watching, the twisted, brilliant Shameless.

Lady Gaga, MEN and Girl in a Coma are amongst the best musical artists of the year. Nominated for best comic book is Out's favorite gay teenaged superhero, Kevin Keller.

The journalism categories are packed. Always sure to represent the spectrum of our community, GLAAD applauds media coverage of transgendered Chaz Bono with several noms. Rachel Maddow, Anderson Cooper, Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres are nominated for their work in covering queer issues. Best of all, Out and The Advocate are nominated for Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage. Out-standing, get it? It's true what they say, it is just an honor to be nominated--we're thrilled!

See the full list of nominees here!