LaBelle, Hudson steal the show at gay media awards

"Project Runway" and the indy film "Quinceanera" were the big winners at the annual GLAAD media awards this year, but it was Patti LeBelle and "Dreamgirl" Jennifer Hudson who took the spotlight.

R&B singer LaBelle received a special achievement award, presented by Oscar-winner Jennifer 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 who 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."

The GLAAD awards were held Monday night. 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. 

HBO's "All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise," about Rosie O'Donnell's groundbreaking gay family cruises won the documentary award.

Rosie 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."

The soap opera "All My Children," "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Nightline," along with The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Details Magazine and columnist Frank Rich were also honored.