LOS ANGELES – You’ve got to love the GLAAD Media Awards, not only for the uplifting message of the annual ceremony but also for the unexpected emotional moments of humor, joy and surprise.

Where else can you mingle with stunningly beautiful transgender actress Candis Cayne, chat with RuPaul the mustachioed man rather than RuPaul the fabulous drag queen, and cross paths with Super Bowl champion Scott Fujita, a straight football player who is outspoken in his support for marriage equality?

What fun seeing “Star Trek” legend George Takei, Eric “McSteamy” Dane of “Grey’s Anatomy,” Olympic skater Johnny Weir and Chaz Bono.

What a treat to see San Diegan Adam Lambert up close and personal, then hear him perform his heart out. The "gay Elvis" was introduced by Rob Halford, the openly gay lead singer for Judas Priest.

Lambert, who was a GLAAD nominee for Outstanding Music Artist, closed the show with sensational performances of "Music Again" and "Fever" for the capacity audience that exceeded 1,000 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.

The GLAAD Media Awards elevate and promote fair, accurate and inclusive stories of GLBT issues, people and allies that have increased awareness, understanding and respect for the lives of GLBT people. The awards also help fund GLAAD's work to amplify stories of GLBT people and issues that build support for equality.

Cat Cora of “Iron Chef America” presented the Vanguard Award to actress Drew Barrymore, who has been a longtime friend of the GLBT community. The award is presented to individuals who through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the GLBT community in the media.

“The thing that means the most to me about an evening like this, and why I want to fight and be outspoken, is because there are so many people who are in desperate need of family,” Barrymore said in her acceptance speech, that was in turns humorous and poignant.

“So whatever governments we have to overcome, whatever adversity people have to overcome to create these families and have the legal things be out of the way so that love can exist and people can take care of one another, that’s the most important thing in the world. That we take care of each other."

In an introductory video, Barrymore joked about not knowing too many gay people. The video then went on to document all the important people in her life who are gay or lesbian.

When she took the stage, Barrymore talked about growing up in West Hollywood, where she knew all sorts of people who make up the rainbow family.

Constance McMillen, the Mississippi teen whose school canceled the prom rather than let her bring her girlfriend to the dance, was a delight to meet at the after-party. She seems so level-headed and poised for a small-town girl who bravely stood up for the rights of GLBT students everywhere.

Constance presented the Stephen F. Kolzak Award to Wanda Sykes, who attended the ceremony with her wife, Alex. The awards ceremony marked their first press appearance as a couple.

“I never expected this to happen to me,” Constance said.

“High school students have the right to bring their date to prom,” she said. “If you want change, you have to speak up!”

The audience gave thunderous applause to the teenager.

Sykes lavished praise on Constance during her acceptance speech.

“I wouldn’t even tell people I was black in Mississippi,” she quipped.

The Kolzak award is presented to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community in the media.

Sykes, who has her own late-night talk show on the Fox network run by the ultra-conservative Rupert Murdoch, took pleasure in skewering him.

“I want to thank the Fox network for allowing me to do the show I’m doing; it’s like Rupert Murdoch buying back all the hate — like I’m saving him from going to hell,” Sykes joked during her acceptance speech.

"I am very humbled, thank you GLAAD," Skyes said. "Thank you for the work you're doing and being the watchdog. Because you really create the environment that allows me to be comfortable being me. [It's great] to be out and open and free and be able to say thanks to my wife. It's love and being honest that wins hearts and minds."

Sykes continued, jokingly, "This means the world to me and I promise that I will continue to be a voice, and hopefully a positive image, but I've got to tell you -- you might have to put up with a stint in rehab, I'm sorry."

Guests and presenters included: Bryan Batt (“Mad Men”), Benjamin Bratt (“La Mission”); Dustin Lance Black (“Milk”); Jason Lewis (“Sex and the City”); Eduardo Xol (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”); Rebecca Gayheart; and Kirsten Vangsness (“Criminal Minds”).

Also, Holly Robinson-Peete (“Celebrity Apprentice”); Brad Goreski (“The Rachel Zoe Project”); Jaila Simms (“Making His Band”); Michael Sucsy (“Grey Gardens”); Santino Rice, Merle Ginsberg (“RuPaul's Drag Race”); Countess LuAnn de Lesseps (“The Real Housewives of New York”).

Also, Rose Garcia, Mikey Koffman, Tracy Ryerson (“The Real L Word”); Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey (World of Wonder Productions); Brian Graden, former president of entertainment at MTV Networks; and GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios.

SDGLN got to spend a few moments with Scott Evans, who plays the gay Officer Fish on “One Life to Live.”

Stephen Wallem, who plays a nurse on the wildly funny “Nurse Jackie,” was spotted in the hall. Chi Chi LaRue was decked out, as usual, with the trademark big hair and heavy makeup.

California Assembly Speaker John Perez, who is the state’s first gay Latino speaker, was also a guest.

Santino Rice, from “Project Runway” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” couldn’t be missed as he worked the ballroom before the show.

SDGLN attempted to speak with Jane Lynch, Coach Sue on “Glee,” before dinner was served, but she couldn’t stop to chat because her handlers were busy trying to find her seat in the massive ballroom. But karma was on our side.

As dinner was winding down, Lynch approached our table and bummed a cigarette from our photographer, which gave us a chance to tell her about San Diego's Pride weekend. She quipped that she might be getting married in June … and later on stage when “Glee” won the award for Outstanding Comedy Series, Lynch had her arms wrapped around her Asian-American sweetheart and told the guests that they were registered at Tiffany’s.

Speaking of “Glee,” creator Ryan Murphy inadvertently spilled some secrets about the hit show’s future, saying the gay character played by openly gay actor Chris Colfer would be getting a boyfriend next season and would never be a victim on the show. Murphy, who is gay, was accompanied on stage by "Glee" stars Lynch, Colfer, Dianna Agron, Jessalyn Gilsig, Kevin McHale, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Mark Salling and Jenna Ushkowitz.

The award winners in Los Angeles

• Outstanding Film – Wide Release: "A Single Man" (The Weinstein Co.) Accepted by: Richard Buckley on behalf of his partner, Tom Ford, who was stuck in London due to the volcanic ash that caused global air traffic problems.

• Outstanding Comedy Series: Glee (Fox) Accepted by: Ryan Murphy, Jane Lynch, Chris Colfer, Dianna Agron, Jessalyn Gilsig, Kevin McHale, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Mark Salling, and Jenna Ushkowitz.

• Outstanding Reality Program: RuPaul’s Drag Race (Logo/VH1) Accepted by: RuPaul.

• Outstanding Spanish-Language TV Journalism Segment: "Polémicas Adopciones" Noticiero Telemundo (Telemundo). Accepted by: Ramon Escobar, executive vice-president of news for Telemundo; reporter Carlos Botifoll and producer, Elisa Ross.

• Outstanding Los Angeles Theater: "Lydia" by Octavio Solis.

Additional awards will be announced during an event in San Francisco on June 5.

San Diego Pix's coverage of the 21st annual GLAAD Media Awards: