Rufus Wainwright, shown playing in Copenhagen in June 2006, has won two awards this year from GLAAD. Rufus Wainwright, shown playing in Copenhagen in June 2006, has won two awards this year from GLAAD. (John McConnico/Associated Press)

Canadian-American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright has again been honoured by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards for his role in fighting homophobia in the entertainment industry.

He was given the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, named for the late casting director who devoted the last part of his life to fighting AIDS-phobia and homophobia, at an awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Wainwright won a music award from GLAAD earlier this year for his album Release the Stars. The GLAAD Awards are given out in three ceremonies, in March, April and May.

Wainwright, the son of Canadian singer Kate McGarrigle and singer-actor Loudon Wainwright III, grew up in Montreal and has been open about his sexual orientation since he was a teenager.

Sitcom Ugly Betty was named outstanding comedy series for the second year in a row.

Ugly Betty features gay assistant Marc St. James, played by Michael Urie, and transsexual editor Alexis Meade.

Another ABC show, Brothers & Sisters, won the best drama series prize, also for the second year in a row.

Brothers & Sisters stars Matthew Rhys as Kevin, a gay lawyer whose dating life is often a source of drama.

Bravo's Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List was named outstanding reality program and Janet Jackson won the Vanguard Award for promoting equal rights.

With files from the Associated Press