American sweetheart Jennifer Aniston has been honoured for helping raise awareness of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles[AP]

American?actress Jennifer Aniston has received the Vanguard Award for her contributions to increased visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community at the 18th GLAAD media awards.

The annual awards, held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, recognise and honour mainstream media that fairly and accurately represents the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives.

Grey's Anatomy, whose lead actor Isaiah Washington was last year condemned for using an anti-gay slur against a fellow castmate, was awarded outstanding individual episode Where the Boys Are.

Little Miss Sunshine won outstanding film in the wide release category, while Ugly Betty won for outstanding television comedy series.

Tennis great Martina Navratilova was given the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, in honor of the late casting director who fought homophobia in the entertainment industry.

The awards?-- consisting of 42 categories --?are split into four ceremonies, held in Los Angeles, New York, Miami and San Francisco in March, April and May.