LaBelle, Hudson shine at US gay media awards

NEW YORK, March 27 (Reuters) Bravo network's hit show ''Project Runway'' and the independent film ''Quinceanera'' won honors at the gay media watchdog GLADD's annual awards, but it was singer Patti LaBelle and Oscar-winning ''Dreamgirl'' Jennifer Hudson who stole the show.

R&B diva LaBelle received a special achievement award, presented by Hudson, for championing gay and lesbian rights and participation in the fight against AIDS.

''I didn't know you were this nice,'' LaBelle told Hudson at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation's 18th annual media awards. ''I thought you were a bitch,'' she joked, noting that she had never met Hudson before their joint appearance.

LaBelle spent most of her acceptance speech praising Hudson, a losing ''American Idol'' contestant won an Oscar last month for her debut portrayal of a pop singer in the musical ''Dreamgirls.'' In a passing-of-the-torch moment that brought a cheering audience to its feet, the pair launched into an a cappella rendition of ''Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen.'' Hudson appeared astonished by LaBelle's tribute, saying ''You are who I idolize.'' GLADD, created to combat negative media reporting of gay issues, also honored designer Tom Ford and comic Kate Clinton, for their achievement as gay role models.

''Project Runway,'' about aspiring fashion designers, won as outstanding reality TV show. The Bravo network is a unit of NBC Universal, jointly owned by General Electric and Vivendi .

''Quinceanera'' -- the story of a pregnant teenager who is taken in by a gay cousin, was named best-limited release film.

HBO's ''All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise,'' about entertainer Rosie O'Donnell's inaugural chartered cruise for families headed by gay parents, won the documentary award. ''Details'' was honored for magazine coverage.

O'Donnell gave a nod to tennis legend Billie Jean King, subject of another nominated documentary, saying ''if it hadn't been for Billie Jean King, there wouldn't have been a gay movement.'' Also honored were the soap opera ''All My Children,'' talk show ''The Oprah Winfrey Show,'' news show ''Nightline,'' as well as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and columnist Frank Rich.

Other celebrity presenters included Oscar nominee Julianne Moore, ''Sex and the City'' actress Cynthia Nixon, director John Waters, pop singer Hilary Duff, and former basketball professional John Amaechi, who recently came out as the first openly gay National Basketball Association player.

Additional awards will be announced in ceremonies in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The awards will be aired on the cable network Logo on April 21.

REUTERS MS DS1100