GLAAD has unveiled the nominees for the 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, spotlighting 291 projects across more than 30 categories that shaped LGBTQ visibility throughout 2025. From buzzy new television series and prestige films to chart-topping musicians, viral podcasts, and hard-hitting journalism, this year’s slate reflects a media landscape where queer stories are not niche, they’re central.
The awards ceremony will take place March 5, 2026, in Los Angeles, with Hornitos® Tequila returning as presenting sponsor.
A Snapshot of This Year’s Field
This year’s nominees span film, television, streaming, gaming, music, podcasts, print journalism, Spanish-language media, and children’s programming. Breakout titles like Heated Rivalry, Pluribus, The Hunting Wives, Abbott Elementary, Hacks, Severance, and Stranger Things appear alongside returning favorites such as RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Traitors, and The View.
Several categories reflect where LGBTQ storytelling continues to grow: podcasts, reality competition, and video games all show expanded representation, while journalism categories underscore the ongoing need for accurate reporting amid political and cultural pressure.
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis emphasized that visibility remains essential. She noted that LGBTQ-inclusive stories consistently resonate with global audiences and continue to set the standard for originality as media formats evolve.
Film and Television Lead the Conversation
Cinema remains a major force this year, with wide theatrical contenders including Kiss of the Spider Woman, On Swift Horses, The Wedding Banquet, and I Know What You Did Last Summer. Streaming and limited releases such as The Queen of My Dreams, Ponyboi, and Sorry, Baby further highlight the range of queer narratives reaching audiences.
Television categories reflect a year shaped by ensemble comedies, genre storytelling, and prestige drama. New series like Boots, Mid-Century Modern, and Overcompensating sit alongside established hits like The Last of Us, The Gilded Age, and Yellowjackets.
Music, Podcasts, and Pop Culture Impact
Music nominees include Conan Gray, Lady Gaga, Reneé Rapp, Elton John and Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, and Young Miko, while the breakthrough category highlights artists who gained momentum through unapologetic visibility.
Podcast categories remain especially competitive, with Las Culturistas, Handsome, We Can Do Hard Things, Good Hang with Amy Poehler, and I’ve Had It earning recognition for blending humor, vulnerability, and cultural commentary.
Journalism and Spanish-Language Media
GLAAD’s journalism honors continue to foreground reporting that challenges misinformation and elevates LGBTQ voices. This year’s nominees span local TV investigations, long-form interviews, digital features, and multimedia storytelling.
Spanish-language categories recognize coverage from outlets including Telemundo, Univision, France 24 Español, CNN en Español, and independent digital publications, underscoring the global reach of LGBTQ journalism.
Special Recognition Honors
Beyond competitive categories, GLAAD has awarded Special Recognition honors to projects whose impact extends beyond traditional classification. This year’s honorees include Andry José Hernández Romero, Before We Forget, The Drowsy Chaperone in Concert, and Gaydar with Anania.
FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
Outstanding Film – Wide Theatrical Release
- Blue Moon
- Christy
- Clown in a Cornfield
- Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
- The History of Sound
- I Know What You Did Last Summer
- Kiss of the Spider Woman
- On Swift Horses
- Twinless
- The Wedding Banquet
Outstanding Film – Limited Theatrical Release
- Cactus Pears
- Fairyland
- Griffin in Summer
- I Wish You All the Best
- A Nice Indian Boy
- Plainclothes
- Ponyboi
- The Queen of My Dreams
- Sorry, Baby
- Young Hearts
Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV
- 10Dance
- The Christmas Baby
- Echo Valley
- Hedda
- A Keller Christmas Vacation
- Noah’s Arc: The Movie
- Oh. What. Fun.
- The Old Guard 2
- The Parenting
- Queen of Coal
Outstanding Documentary
- Amy Bradley is Missing
- Come See Me in the Good Light
- Enigma
- Heightened Scrutiny
- I’m Your Venus
- In Transit
- Love & Rage: Munroe Bergdorf
- A Mother Apart
- Pee-Wee as Himself
- Sally
Outstanding New TV Series
- Boots
- Chad Powers
- Clean Slate
- The Four Seasons
- Heated Rivalry
- The Hunting Wives
- I Love LA
- Long Story Short
- Mid-Century Modern
- Overcompensating
- Pluribus
Outstanding Comedy Series
- Abbott Elementary
- Big Boys
- Ghosts
- Hacks
- Hazbin Hotel
- Loot
- Palm Royale
- The Righteous Gemstones
- Survival of the Thickest
- The Upshaws
Outstanding Drama Series
- Brilliant Minds
- The Buccaneers
- Doctor Who
- The Gilded Age
- The Last of Us
- Power Book III: Raising Kanan
- The Sandman
- Severance
- Stranger Things
- Yellowjackets
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
- The Beast in Me
- Chief of War
- Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy
- Hal & Harper
- Hotel Reverie (Black Mirror)
- Lost Boys and Fairies
- Mr Loverman
- Nine Perfect Strangers
- Prime Target
- Wayward
Outstanding Reality Program
- Back to the Frontier
- House on Fire
- Jay & Pamela
- June Farms
- Love on the Spectrum
- Next Gen NYC
- Selling Sunset
- Southern Charm
- Southern Hospitality
- The Ultimatum: Queer Love
Outstanding Reality Competition Program
- American Ninja Warrior
- The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans
- Dancing with the Stars
- Finding Mr. Christmas
- I Kissed a Boy
- I Kissed a Girl
- Project Runway
- RuPaul’s Drag Race
- The Traitors
- The Voice
Outstanding Children’s Programming
- Be@rbrick
- Firebuds
- Ghost Town (Mermicorno: Starfall)
- No Wrong Way to Be You (Sesame Street)
- Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures
Outstanding Kids & Family Programming – Live Action
- Goosebumps: The Vanishing
- Jane
- School Spirits
- Selamiut (Washington Black)
- XO, Kitty
Outstanding Kids & Family Programming – Animated
- Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake
- The Bravest Knight
- Jurassic World: Chaos Theory
- Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
- The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Outstanding Music Artist
- Conan Gray
- Durand Bernarr
- Elton John & Brandi Carlile
- Ethel Cain
- G Flip
- Lady Gaga
- Maren Morris
- Reneé Rapp
- Ty Herndon
- Young Miko
Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist
- Amaarae
- Chris Housman
- Destin Conrad
- Eli
- Frankie Grande
- Guitarricadelafuente
- KATSEYE
- Shygirl
- Snow Wife
- Wet Leg
Outstanding Broadway Production
- Liberation
- Oedipus
- Purpose
- Redwood
- Smash
Outstanding Podcast
- Bald & The Beautiful
- Las Culturistas
- The Daily Beans Podcast
- Handsome
- Outlaws with TS Madison
- The Read
- Shut Up Evan
- So True with Caleb Hearon
- Tactful Pettiness
- We Can Do Hard Things
Outstanding Podcast Episode
- “All-American Grift: We Investigated Trump’s Favorite Sports Troll” Pablo Torre Finds Out (Meadowlark Media)
- “Carl Nassib” The Pivot Podcast (Shots Studio)
- “Chappell Roan: Are People Scared of Me?” Call Her Daddy (The Unwell Network / SiriusXM)
- “Dispatches From the Living Memory of Trans People of Color” Code Switch (NPR)
- “Matthew, Daniel, & Islan” Crime Junkie (Audiochuck)
- “Niecy Nash-Betts Opens Up About the Love That Changed Everything” House Guest (Scott Evans/Spotify)
- “The Paper Doll: Dylan Mulvaney” Between Us with Heather and Terry Dubrow (iHeartPodcasts)
- “Rachel Maddow: Trump’s Alaska Summit With Putin Is an ‘Abject Humiliation'” Pivot (New York Magazine / Vox Media)
- “Reneé Rapp” Good Hang with Amy Poehler (The Ringer / Spotify)
- “Straight Panic, Gay Excellence” I’ve Had It (PodcastOne)
Outstanding Video Game
- Ambrosia Sky: Act One (Soft Rains)
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Ubisoft)
- The August Before (Silly Little Games/Catoptric Games)
- Cabernet (Party for Introverts/Akupara Games)
- The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily (One or Eight/Alliance Arts)
- Hades II (Supergiant Games)
- Lost Records: Bloom and Rage (DON’T NOD)
- Old Skies (Wadjet Eye Games)
- Road to Empress (New One Studio)
- The Roottrees are Dead (Evil Trout Inc.)
Outstanding Comic Book
- Absolute Green Lantern, by Al Ewing, Jahnoy Lindsay, Jason Howard, Riley Rossmo, Sid Kotian, Iñaki Azpiazu, Pressy, Lucas Gattoni (DC Comics)
- Avengers Academy: Marvel’s Voices, by Anthony Oliveira, Elsa Sjunneson, Carola Borelli, Bailie Rosenlund, Pablo Collar, Charles Stewart III, Alti Firmansyah, Minkyu Jung, KJ Díaz, Ruth Redmond, Dono Sánchez-Almara, Ariana Maher, Joe Caramagna (Marvel Infinity Comics)
- The Department of Truth, by James Tynion IV, Martin Simmonds, Letizia Cadonici, Aditya Bidikar, Jordie Bellaire, Dylan Todd (Image Comics)
- Exceptional X-Men, by Eve L. Ewing, Carmen Carnero, Federica Mancin, Nolan Woodard, Travis Lanham (Marvel Comics)
- Minor Arcana, by Jeff Lemire, Patricio Delpeche, Letizia Cadonici, Steve Wands (BOOM! Studios)
- The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos: Children of the Night, by Tate Brombal based on an idea by James Tynion IV, Isaac Goodhart, Priscilla Petraites, Miquel Muerto, Aditya Bidikar (Dark Horse Comics)
- Poison Ivy, by G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara, Brian Level, Atagun Ilhan, Mark Buckingham
- Arif Prianto, Lee Loughridge, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Tom Napolitano (DC Comics)
- Runaways, by Rainbow Rowell, Elena Casagrande, Roberta Ingranata, Lee Ferguson, Dee Cunniffe, Travis Lanham (Marvel Comics)
- Secret Six, by Nicole Maines, Stephen Segovia, Cian Tormey, Roger Cruz, Rain Beredo, Steve Wands (DC Comics)
- Wynd: The Power of the Blood, by James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas, Andworld Design, Nancy Mojica, Madison Goyette (BOOM! Studios)
Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology
- Cannon, by Lee Lai (Drawn & Quarterly)
- Dan in Green Gables, by Rey Terciero, Claudia Aguirre (Penguin Workshop)
- First Kiss with Fangs, by Marker Snyder (Holiday House)
- Gaysians, by Mike Curato (Algonquin Books)
- Hey, Mary!, by Andrew Wheeler, Rye Hickman, Hank Jones, Frank Cvetkovic (Oni Press)
- It Rhymes with Takei, by George Takei, Steven Scott, Justin Eisinger, Harmony Becker, José Villarrubia (Top Shelf Productions)
- Low Orbit, by Kazimir Lee (Top Shelf Productions)
- A Song for You and I, by K. O’Neill (Random House Graphic)
- Spent, by Alison Bechdel, Holly Rae Taylor, Jon Chad (Mariner Books)
- Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day, by Alex L. Combs, Andrew Eakett, Tif Bucknor (Candlewick Press)
Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode
- “Greg Mathis Jr. Opens Up About Living As His Authentic Self” Tamron Hall (Syndicated)
- “Guest Host Alan Cumming on Attacks Against the Trans Community & Bringing Kindness Back in America” Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)
- “JHud Surprises Black Gay Weddings Founders with Special Anniversary Gift” The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)
- “Kelly Clarkson Celebrates Trans Day of Visibility With ‘TRANSA’ Creator Massima Bell” The Kelly Clarkson Show (Syndicated)
- Las Culturistas Culture Awards (Bravo/Peacock)
- “Laverne Cox and George Wallace Star In Norman Lear’s Final Show, ‘Clean Slate'” The View (ABC)
- “Max Salvador and Victoria SanJuan” Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (Bravo)
- “New York Pride Week and Corporate Sponsors Pull Back by Trump” The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)
- “Trans Athletes” Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
- “Transgender Soldiers Explain Why Trump’s Military Ban is Bogus” The Daily Show (Comedy Central)
Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage
- The Advocate
- Cosmo
- Gaye Magazine
- The Hollywood Reporter
- OUT
- People
- Poz
- Rolling Stone
- TIME
- Variety
Outstanding TV Journalism – Long-Form
- “Heart of Pride”(CBS 7 Philadelphia)
- “HIV Unwrapped” +Life (Hulu / ABC Localish)
- “Late to the Party: Coming Out Later in Life” (ABC)
- “Living in Pryde” (GBH Boston)
- “Living Proof” (Hulu)
- “Pride 2025 – Rise Up: Pride in Protest.” (ABC 7 New York)
- “Pride Edition 2025 | Storytellers” LatiNation (LATV)
- “Shaye & Amanda Scott” It’s Ok To Ask Questions (NBC 5 Chicago)
- “Still Marching: A NY1 Pride Month Special” (Spectrum News NY1)
- “A Transgender Marine Speaks Out” (NBC 7 San Diego)
Outstanding TV Journalism – Segment or Special
- “Community during fascism: Actress Laverne Cox on the importance of WorldPride in Trump’s D.C.” The Weekend (MS NOW)
- “Final ride from SF to LA for AIDS/LifeCycle, but the fight to end HIV/AIDS continues” (ABC 7 San Francisco)
- “High Stakes at the Supreme Court: Conversion Therapy” ABC News Live (ABC)
- “How life is changing for trans Americans under the Trump administration” PBS News Hour (PBS)
- “‘I still want to serve’: Transgender servicemembers face uncertain future under Trump admin” Meet the Press NOW (NBC News NOW)
- “LGBTQ-inclusive mass held in Rome” Good Morning America (ABC)
- “Meet Harper Watters, the barrier-breaker at the Houston Ballet” TODAY with Jenna & Friends (NBC)
- “Minnesota Rep. Leigh Finke reacts to backlash against trans community” Talking Points (CBS 4 Minnesota)
- “Transgender man speaks out after passport lists wrong gender under Trump policy” CBS Evening News (CBS)
- “‘Violation of due process’: Lawyer of gay makeup artist deported speaks out” MS NOW Reports (MS NOW)
Outstanding Online or Print Journalism Article
- “As the first out trans person in Congress, Sarah McBride is ready to fight for us” by Christopher Wiggins (Advocate)
- “Detransition is rare, but it’s driving anti-trans policy anyway” by Orion Rummler (19thNews.org)
- “He fled Iraq after he was jailed for being gay. Now Donald Trump is making his life hell.” by Daniel Villareal (LGBTQNation.com)
- “I Spent Eight Years in Conversion Therapy Mistaking Shame for Faith” by TImothy Schraeder Rodriguez (TIME)
- “King of Olympus” by Robert W. Fieseler (64 Parishes)
- “Queer in present danger: Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community finding safe spaces in difficult times” by Justin Lo (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- “The Rainbows They Tried to Erase” by David Clarke (OutSmart Magazine)
- “Tramell Tillman on His Emotional Coming Out Story, ‘Severance’ Delays and Acting With Tom Cruise the Day After He Got ‘Mission: Impossible’ Script” by Clayton Davis (Variety)
- “Trans people didn’t ask to get pulled into any of this” by Mel Woods (Xtra)
- “Vivian Jenna Wilson on Being Elon Musk’s Estranged Daughter, Protecting Trans Youth and Taking on the Right Online” by Ella Yurman (Teen Vogue)
Outstanding Online Journalism – Video or Multimedia
- “12 days of pride” [series] (BET.com)
- “Being Out” [series] (OutSports.com)
- “Decades in, these women’s love was ‘Hidden Once, Hidden Twice'” (NPR.org)
- “Extended interview: ‘Oh, Mary!’ Tony nominee Cole Escola” (CBSNews.com)
- “From Struggling With Psoriasis to Becoming Soraya Sis: How This Drag Artist Learned to Embrace Their Skin” (EverydayHealth.com)
- “Logo Legend – Jinkx Monsoon” (LogoTV.com)
- “A Mother and Her Trans Teen Decide to Leave the U.S.” (NewYorker.com)
- “Pride 50 2025: Celebrate Queer Changemakers” [series] (Queerty.com)
- “Transcestors & Trailblazers: 30 Lives, 30 Legacies” (TransLash.org)
- “Viral video of her torture shocked Colombia. The killings didn’t stop there” (CNN.com)
Outstanding Independent Journalism (formerly Outstanding Blog)
- Assigned Media
- Buckeye Flame
- Charlotte’s Web Thoughts
- Erin in the Morning
- Impact Media
- Queer Kentucky
- Queer Review
- Trans News Network
- Under the Desk News
- Xtra Magazine
Special Recognition
- The Drowsy Chaperone in Concert (Breaking the Binary Theatre)
- Gaydar with Anania
SPANISH-LANGUAGE CATEGORIES
Outstanding Scripted Television Series // Serie de Televisión con Guión Sobresaliente
- El fin del amor (Prime Video)
- Mariliendre (Atresplayer)
- Mujeres con hombreras (HBO Max)
- Olympo (Netflix)
- Serpientes y Escaleras (Netflix)
Outstanding TV Journalism // Periodismo Televisivo Sobresaliente
- “Brasil: iglesias promueven la detransición de género” En Foco (FRANCE 24 Español)
- “De maquillar reinas de belleza a preso en El Salvador” Noticias Telemundo (Telemundo)
- “La historia del Stonewall Inn y la importancia de Nueva York para la comunidad LGBTQ+” Noticiero Univision 41 (Univision)
- “Ni hombre, ni mujer: Intersexual” Noticias Telemundo (Telemundo)
- “Ola arcoíris recorre América: ¿en qué punto están los derechos LGBTIQ+ en el continente?” Ellas Hoy (France 24 Español)
- “Orgullo 2025 Avances, Desafíos y Caminos” Spectrum Noticias (Spectrum)
- “El Orgullo, colores de libertad.” (CNN en Español)
- “Raúl González revela por qué calló sobre su orientación sexual” Despierta América (TelevisaUnivision)
- “Spirit Day una fecha para combatir el bullying a la comunidad LGBTQ+” Hoy Dia (Telemundo)
- “Wendy Guevara, la sexta desigual” Desiguales (TelevisaUnivision)
Outstanding Online Journalism Article // Artículo sobresaliente de periodismo digital
- “10 íconos LGBT+ que marcaron la historia de México” por Yet Akatzin Almazán (Homosensual.com)
- “Las cosas positivas de la masculinidad que descubrí al transicionar como hombre trans” por Ronald Alexander Ávila-Claudio (BBC.com)
- “Cuando la rebeldía perdura: envejecer siendo LGBTIQ+” por Mariana Escobar Bernoske (ElEspectador.com)
- “El largo camino de las familias diversas para adoptar en México: ‘Lo que se busca es que los niños tengan un hogar'” por Paola Alín (ElPaís.com)
- “Latinas trans denuncian que administración Trump ‘envalentona’ más ataques y discriminación en NYC” por Edwin Martínez (ElDiarioNY.com)
- “My Coming Out Story” Quién [serie] (Quien.com)
- “La Niñez Trans Existe” por David Cordero-Mercado (ElNuevoDia.com)
- “La realidad de muchos jóvenes de la comunidad LGBTQ en México: poca aceptación familiar e ideas de suicidio” por Karen Esquivel (CNN.com)
- “Que Nadie Te Diga Que no–El cine transfeminista de Gaby Castillo” por Andrea Dominguez y Andrés Camilo Gómez (sentiido.com)
- “Un tercio de los mexicanos ha presenciado algún acto de violencia contra el colectivo LGTBIQ+” por Elena San José (El País.com)
Outstanding Online Journalism – Video or Multimedia // Periodismo digital sobresaliente: vídeo o multimedia
- “Amor y crianza diversa: la historia de cómo Sergio y Juan Pablo adoptaron a Amalia” (El Espectador)
- “Hemos Estado. Nuestra historia nunca se detiene” (Pride Mx)
- “Hombre o mujer, ¿y nada más? Historia sobre el género y la identidad” (DW Español)
- “El Nuevo Reggaeton Sin Censura” DOSIS Con Michelle Galvan (Univision)
- “¿Tienes HIV, Mijo? A Mother’s Journey” Living y Ready (LatiNation)
Reconocimiento Especial
- Andry José Hernández Romero
- Before We Forget (Twenty Nine Palms Ent.)
