Charlize Theron is among nominees announced by Outfest forits fourth annual Screen Idol Awards to be voted on by the public.

The awards recognise the leading gay, lesbian, bisexual andtransgendered performances by a lead actor, lead actress, supporting actor andsupporting actress in a feature film or television.

Theron's performance in Monster earns her a bestactress nomination, and other nominees include Gina Gershon in Prey For RockAnd Roll, Seth Green for Party Monster, Jason Priestley for DieMommie Die! and Lily Taylor for Gaudi Afternoon.

"I am so pleased at the calibre and the scope of the actorswho have been nominated this year," Outfest executive director StephenGutwillig said in a statement.

"The household names mingling with the up-and-comingperformers attest to the remarkable visibility of gay and lesbian lives intoday's mainstream media.

"We don't take that visibility for granted, though. OurScreen Idol Awards exist to encourage more projects about gay and lesbianexperience and the performers who will shine in those roles."

The nominees are:

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:

Seth Green, Party Monster
Justin Kirk, Angels In America
Lee Pace, Soldier's Girl
Al Pacino, Angels In America
Tom Wilkinson, Normal

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:

Gina Gershon, Prey For Rock And Roll
Lun-Mei Guey, Blue Gate Crossing
Frances McDormand, Laurel Canyon
Rachel Stirling, Tipping The Velvet
Charlize Theron, Monster

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:

Wilson Cruz, Party Monster
Jason Priestley, Die Mommie Die!
Ben Shenkman, Angels In America
Patrick Wilson, Angels In America
Jeffrey Wright, Angels In America

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:

Marcia Gay Harden, Gaudi Afternoon
Sandra Oh, Under The Tuscan Sun
Lori Petty, Prey For Rock And Roll
Christina Ricci, Monster
Lili Taylor, Gaudi Afternoon

The online polls are open to the public until Feb 29 at www.advocate.com. The awards will bepresented by The Advocate magazine.