Nearly a decade ago, Ellen DeGeneres made television history when she came out both as an actor (on the cover of Time magazine) and as a prime time sitcom character (to an audience of 46 million). This Sunday, she is poised to again make Hollywood history by becoming the first openly gay entertainer to host the Academy Awards.

Hosting award shows is nothing new for DeGeneres. She's emceed the Grammy Awards twice and the Emmy Awards three times. Her sensitive handling of the twice-delayed 2001 Emmy broadcast in the aftermath of Sept. 11 drew particular praise. In 2005, she once again found herself hosting the Emmys in the wake of a national crisis — this time Hurricane Katrina — and, as in 2001, received high marks for balancing dignity and laughter.

DeGeneres' successful track record as an award show host, her self-effacing humor and the solid fan base she has developed through her popular daytime talk show (winner of 15 Emmys) have made her the next logical choice, after six years of six different hosts, to helm this year's 79th Academy Awards.

In recent years, the broadcast has suffered from declining ratings despite an attempt to woo younger viewers with younger, edgier comedians. Last year's show, hosted by The Daily Show's Jon Stewart, drew 38.8 million viewers; the 2005 edition, hosted by comedian Chris Rock, drew 41.5 million; and in 2004, 43.5 million watched host Billy Crystal. The highest number of viewers for an Oscar telecast was in 1998, when 55.2 million tuned in to see Titanic take home the Best Picture prize.

"Ellen DeGeneres was born to host the Academy Awards," said the telecast's producer, Laura Ziskin. "There is no more challenging job in show business. It requires someone who can keep the show alive and fresh and moving, as well as someone who is a great entertainer. Ellen completely fits the bill."

For the LGBT community, however, the selection of DeGeneres as host takes on a significance that goes far beyond her talents as a comedian. As GLAAD's Entertainment Media Director, Damon Romine, stated: "This is an important milestone for our visibility. No other gay performer has so successfully conquered mainstream America while living openly and honestly, and the decision to name Ellen host of the Oscars clearly reflects a comfort level a global audience has with her."

Ironically, DeGeneres' ability to appeal to mainstream audiences relies, in large part, on her image as a wholesome, slightly zany, all-American girl. It is a persona she cultivates on her talk show, a setting where her homosexuality is rarely mentioned. Lillian Faderman, author of numerous books on lesbian history and co-author with Stuart Timmons of the recent Gay L.A.: A History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, and Lipstick Lesbians, says DeGeneres' likability has helped "calm the waters" and make what was once "taboo" seem mundane.

"Hollywood is becoming more relaxed about homosexuality," Faderman said. Not only does she [DeGeneres] have talent, but she possesses an incredible charm as the girl next door." Faderman added that the fact that DeGeneres downplays her lesbianism on her talk show allows viewers to have a certain comfort level with her and allows them to "lay aside their prejudices."

According to Faderman, DeGeneres' position as an out lesbian in Hollywood, as well as her groundbreaking role as Oscar host, is only the latest chapter in what has been an enduring, if not always visible, role for LGBT artists in Hollywood. Homosexuals have been influential in the entertainment industry, both in front of and behind the camera, since the industry's earliest days.