Lee Daniels and "A Single Man" to bring even more gay to the "Gay Superbowl"

Colin Firth and Lee Daniels

The nominations for the 82nd Academy Awards were announced this morning, with at least two noms upping the ante for gay visibility. let's take a closer look!

Best Picture:
Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air

First thoughts - A strong list, but disappointing that A Single Man wasn't included. On the bright side, neither was The Hangover.

Best Director:
James Cameron, Avatar
Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
Lee Daniels, Precious
Jason Reitman, Up in the Air

First thoughts - Best Director is usually reserved for straight white guys, so how wonderful is it that both Kathryn Bigelow and out Lee Daniels were nominated! The suspense leading up to the noms was whether Lee would make it in, and now the suspense will be whether Kathryn can take down her ex-husband James Cameron. Let's hope so!

Best Actor:
Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
George Clooney, Up in the Air
Colin Firth, A Single Man
Morgan Freeman, Invictus
Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker

First thoughts - Colin was extraordinary in A Single Man, but he doesn't stand a chance. This will be the "career award" for Jeff Bridges.

Shoo-ins Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock

Best Actress:
Sandra Bullock, Blind Side
Helen Mirren, The Last Station
Carey Mulligan, An Education
Gabourey Sidibe, Precious
Meryl Streep, Julie and Julia

First thoughts - I would love to see the bubbly Gabourey Sidibe win, but this is Sandra Bullock's Erin Brokovich moment. On the bright side, we'll get to see hot GILF Helen Mirren on the red carpet again.

Best Supporting Actor:
Matt Damon, Invictus
Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
Christopher Plummer, The Last Station
Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

First thoughts - This will be wrapped up and hand delivered to Christoph Walz, but I can't wait to see Woody's hemp tux.

Best Supporting Actress:
Penelope Cruz, Nine
Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Crazy Heart
Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air
Mo'nique, Precious

First thoughts - Love that the fab Maggie Gyllenhaal was nominated, but she probably took Julianne Moore's A Single Man slot. But this award belongs to Mo'Nique.

What are your first thoughts on this year's noms? You can see a complete list here, and tune into ABC on Sunday, March 7 at 8PM EST for the show.