GLAAD hands out media awards for 24th year

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NEW YORK, March 17 (UPI) -- The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation gave CNN newsman Anderson Cooper an award at its 24th annual media program in New York City.

GLAAD gave Cooper, who confirmed last July he is gay, its Vito Russo Award, named in honor of one of its founding members and presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for the LGBT community, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Movie producer-director Brett Ratner was given GLAAD's Ally Award for his efforts to start the "Coming Out for Equality" public service advertising campaign along with Comcast.

Also among those receiving awards at the Saturday program were Frank Bruni of The New York Times for Outstanding Newspaper Columnist, The Boston Globe for Outstanding Newspaper Overall Coverage, NBC's "Smash" for Outstanding Drama Series, "How to Survive a Plague" for Outstanding Documentary and "The Amazing Race" as Outstanding Reality Program.

The awards series continues in Los Angeles April 20.