Sofia Vergara, Ariel Winter, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Nolan Gould and Rico Rodriguez attended the Sixth annual Gay and Lesbian and Straight Education Network Respect Awards at the Beverly Hills Hotel on October 8, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California.

ABC’s sitcom “Modern Family” was honored for its portrayal of a diverse America, including a family headed by a gay couple, played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet.

And yet some of the event’s celeb attendees said the recent string of widely reported bully-inspired gay-teen suicides is proof that acceptance still has a long way to go. “I do have the same sort of mixed feeling, in the light of everything that’s happened,” noted Ferguson, who is openly gay. “However, I think an event like this echoes the sentiment that we need to change. This cannot continue happening.” The Emmy-nominated Ferguson said he was “very bullied” in school. “I actually had to leave eighth grade and go to another school because it got so bad, so I certainly sympathize with these kids,” he noted, adding that bullied students should keep reminding themselves that school won’t last forever. “Honestly, back at my 10-year reunion, I didn’t even remember any of those bullies’ names. Frankly, they weren’t doing nearly as good as me. So, it was very vindicating.”

Sofia Vergara said acceptance of gays and lesbians in the Latin community “is very hard, because it’s very taboo,” she explained. “The Latin community is a very Catholic community,” continued Vergara. “So, it’s always a problem for people to accept it, and they live in denial for many years, the parents, and prefer not to address the problem. And that’s when tragedies and things happen. And, you know, it’s hard. You’re not going to change things in one day.”

The Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest GLBT civil rights organization, once again will bring big names into town for its annual dinner in Washington.

“Modern Family” cast members Eric Stonestreet, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Sofia Vergara will be on hand to accept the National Arts & Culture Award on Saturday night.

GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, will honor the Emmy Award-winning hit show, “Modern Family,” at tonight’s Respect Awards – Los Angeles, Presented by Centropolis Entertainment at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Emmy winner Rob Reiner will present the show with the Inspiration Award, and America’s favorite mom, Florence Henderson, currently appearing on “Dancing with the Stars,” will be welcoming everyone to the gala.

Celebrities expected to attend include “Modern Family” stars Sofia Vergara, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Nolan Gould, Rico Rodriguez and Ariel Winter.

GLSEN has also partnered with CharityBuzz.com for an online auction as another way for people around the country to participate in the event. Some of the items available include an audition with Emmy-winning “Modern Family” casting director Jeff Greenberg, as well as a set visit to the show. For more details go to http://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/glsenlarespect2010/catalog_items

Photos from Trophy Room and Entertainment Tonight platform at Emmy Awards have been added to the gallery today. The video of Sofia Vergara announcing the award and Steve Levitan receiving it is now in our video archive as well. Enjoy!

More photos from Emmy Awards are coming your way today! Now you can see photos from the show and press room and also watch the video of Eric Stonestreet accepting his first Emmy Award and giving the speech. Be sure to check it out!

Photos from Emmy Awards Backstage & Audience and Governor’s Ball have now also been added to our gallery. More to follow!

I’ve been away when the Emmy Awards took place so I am just starting to catch up with everything Emmy-related. I’ve just added over hundred HQ and MQ photos from Emmy Awards Arrivals to our gallery. Check them out and come back later for more Emmy stuff!

Vanity Fair caught up with Broadway-alum Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who plays Mitchell Pritchett, to hear about the joys of that first nomination and get his pick for best comedic Actor in 2011.

First, congratulations. This is your first Emmy nomination, huh?
Actually, it’s my first time “being nominated” for anything. It’s really exciting.

How did you find out?
I was in New York doing Shakespeare in the Park, so my hours were really nutty. I was doing this three-hour Shakespeare play the night before and then hanging out with my cast afterward. I normally wouldn’t wake up until 11:00, but I got a phone call around 8:45 from my publicist. At first, she just told me that the show was nominated and I was thrilled. Then, we sort of had a discussion where I told her I wasn’t really expecting a nomination, and she said, “Well, I want you available for interviews if you do get nominated.” And I was like, “O.K., once again I’m not going to be nominated, but that’s sweet that you think I will.” Then she called back and said I got a nomination. I really thought she was pulling my leg.

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It’s Saturday, Aug. 21 and time for the Creative Arts Emmys, held a week and a day before the Primetime Emmy Awards telecast. It’s the awards event that honors the people behind the scenes who deserve recognition, but apparently didn’t make the cut to be on the already overflowing live event.

The Modern Family winners:

• Best Casting of a Comedy Series
• Best Picture Editing for Comedy Series
• Best Sound Mixing for Half-Hour Series

Winners of the seventh annual Gold Derby TV Awards were unveiled Tuesday night. Modern Family got three awards in the following nominations:

• Comedy Series
• Comedy Supporting Actor (Ty Burrell)
• Ensemble of the Year