TORONTO — Canada's groundbreaking high school series "Degrassi" has been nominated for a best-drama prize from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

The long-running soap is up for a GLAAD Media Award for various storylines that involve gay, transgender and lesbian characters.

"Degrassi," which airs on MuchMusic in Canada and TeenNick in the U.S., is up against "Grey's Anatomy," "Pretty Little Liars," "Shameless" and "Torchwood: Miracle Day."

This is its fourth nomination for a GLAAD Media Award, which celebrates inspiring media images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Nominees in other categories include the film "Beginners," featuring Christopher Plummer as a widower who embraces his homosexuality late in life, Lady Gaga's album "Born This Way" and a TV interview by David Letterman with Chaz Bono.

Awards ceremonies will be held in New York on March 24, in Los Angeles on April 21 and in San Francisco on June 2.

"Degrassi" introduced its first gay storyline back in 1988. It broke new ground in 2010 when it introduced its first transgender character.

"What a great honour this is for the entire 'Degrassi' team," executive producer Linda Schuyler said Thursday in a release.

"This nomination reinforces our continuing dedication to telling relevant stories about the LGBT community."

New episodes of "Degrassi" return to MuchMusic on Feb. 24.