'Skins' up for top US gay award

Rex Features

Channel 4 drama Skins has been nominated for a top prize at America's top gay awards ceremony.

The Bristol-based series is up for an Outstanding Comedy Series gong at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) awards.

The drama championed anti-homophobia through gay character Maxxie, played by Mitch Hewer.

"The 20th anniversary of the GLAAD Media Awards is an excellent opportunity to reflect on how media representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community have evolved over the past two decades, clearly helping shape and evolve people's hearts and minds about LGBT people," president Neil Giuliano said.

Alongside Skins, Doctor Who-spinoff Torchwood is nominated in the outstanding drama series category. Both shows are broadcast stateside on BBC America.