The 2007 film awards season came to a close with several notable successes for gay-inclusive films and artists. In both the 79th Academy Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards, gay and lesbian artists, entertainers and storylines were honored.

This year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selected talk show host and actress Ellen DeGeneres to host its awards ceremony. DeGeneres is the first openly gay host in Oscar history. In her opening monologue, she observed, "What a wonderful night. Such diversity in the room in a year when there's been so many negative things said about people's race, religion and sexual orientation. And I want to put this out there: If there weren't blacks, Jews, and gays, there would be no Oscars."

Lesbian rocker Melissa Etheridge kissed and thanked her wife, Tammy Lynn Michaels, when she won the award for Best Original Song, featured in the Best Documentary winner, An Inconvenient Truth.

Michael Arndt's script for the gay-inclusive film Little Miss Sunshine took home the award for Best Original Screenplay. Alan Arkin was honored with Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for his turn in the film.

In fact, Little Miss Sunshine had an eventful weekend. The night before the Oscars, at the Independent Spirit Awards, which honor the best in independent film, the family comedy won four awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Best First Screenplay.

Also at the Spirit Awards, Quinceañera won the John Cassavetes Award for the best feature made for under $500,000. Howard Gertler and Tim Perrell, who produced John Cameron Mitchell's Shortbus, were presented with the Axium Producers Award.

For a complete list of winners, please visit the official sites of both awards ceremonies: