Film and Broadway star Alan Cummning stated it succinctly on the red carpet: "I think tonight you can feel an energy people have for change."

And change was definitely on the minds of the attendees at tonight's 20th Anniversary of the GLAAD Media Awards held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. There was a distinct feeling of love, hope and, yes, change in the air . It was further cemented by Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson in his moving performance of Sam Cooke's civil rights anthem "A Change is Gonna Come".

People were talking about same sex marriage, the election of President Obama and the "absurdity" of the passing of Prop 8. (Which was further  addressed  later in the show with the presentation of a special award to "Prop 8 the Musical").  However, all those issues had people excited and fired up. There seemed to be a consensus that the passing of Prop 8 has only mobilized the LGBT community. Referencing recent events in Iowa and Connecticut, Jackson said "Things are rolling, things are happening. We can get married in four states". Original Star Trek star Nichelle Nichols added "And with the devastaing Prop 8, I think that's going to go by the wayside."

The stars were all in agreement that GLAAD has been right at the forefront of this change and applauded them for their work. Rupaul's Drag Race winner Bebe Zahara Benet enthused "It's beautiful. It's just amazing to be part of a community that comes together to support each other and show respect and appreciation". The hilarious star of Party Down,  the upcoming Fox show Glee and every other funny movie you've ever seen, Jane Lynch noted GLAAD is honoring work that "is basically weaving who we are into the fabric of society and that's the best thing." Tuc Watkins, from the GLAAD winning comedy series Desperate Housewives summed it up like this: "I think any organization that takes the time to point out good depictions of the gay community in media should be recognized.... It's important that members of the gay community are shown acurately, not necessarily in a favorable light but in an accurate light, in a fair light".

The GLAAD Media Awards which honor fair, accurate and inclusive representations of LGBT people and events in media presented award  The L Word with a Special Recognition Award as the show finished out it's sixth and final season. They also acknowledged Brothers and Sisters as the Outstanding TV Drama again this year and the Oscar winning Milk as the Outstanding Feature Film.

On the red carpet, Milk producer Dan Jinks spoke of how GLAAD is "the watchdog organization for gay rights in America, and that means a lot." The celebs were very grateful for all the work GLAAD is doing and how they've influenced what's happening with the LGBT civil rights movement right now. Cumming later added "Equal righs for the LGBT community seems more within our grasp". Queer as Folk star Peter Paige said that he always leaves the GLAAD awards "inspired and ready to go back to battle."

A different kind of change was on the mind of comedian and Life on the D List star Kathy Griffin who was honored with the Vanguard Award in recognition of a media professional who, through their work has increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community. While she was thrilled for the award, she was also excited about her new bikini body. On the red carpet she told me "I'm here tonight to share my bangin' bikini bod with the gays... and by the way, my bikini bod is so bangin', I may switch a couple.... I am like the Susan Boyle (the British sinigng youtube sensation) of bikini bods... where you didnt know I had it in me, but it's been here the whole time. I dreamed a dream."

It was an exuberant night of laughter, amazing performances and a look back at 20 years of stories and media that has shaped the LGBT community. An exciting array of stars showed up to support and celebrate including the casts of Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom (a GLAAD winner at the NYC awards), Greek, South of Nowhere, Desperate Housewives and The L Word. Also attending: Oscar winner and screenwriter of Milk Dustin Lance Black, Alec Mapa, Chad Allen, Mary Murphy (So You Think You Can Dance), Bruno Toglioni (Dancing with the Stars), Jullia Louis Dreyfuss, George Takei, Bill Paxton and more.

A List of the GLAAD Media Award winners from tonight's ceremony:

Vanguard Award: Kathy Griffin

Stephen F. Kolzak Award: The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson

Special Recognition: The L Word (Showtime)

Special Recognition: Prop 8: the Musical (funnordie.com)

Outstanding Film Wide Release: Milk (Focus Features)

Outstanding Comedy Series: Desperate Housewives (ABC)

Outstanding Drama Series: Brothers and Sisters (ABC)

Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular LGBT character): The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)

Outstanding Talk Show Episode: "Ellen & Portia's Wedding Day" The Ellen Degeneres Show (syndicated)

Outstanding Los Angeles Theater Production: Secrets of the Trade by Jonathan Tolins

Outstanding Spanish Language TV- Journalism Newsmagazine: "A juzgar por las apariencias" y "En otro cuerpo" Aquí y Ahora (Univision)

~For the complete list of GLAAD Media Award winners, including the New York Ceremony winners, go to

www.glaad.org/mediaawards

The remaing GLAAD Media awards will be given out on May 9th in San Francisco.

By Jason Boegh

Jason is an actor, writer, producer and on-air talent located in Hollywood, CA.