GLAAD Media Award

Award for LGBT representation in media

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GLAAD Media Award

Current: 36th GLAAD Media Awards
Awarded for| Outstanding media portrayals of LGBTQ people
Country| United States
Presented by| GLAAD
First award| 1990
Website| glaad.org/mediaawards

The GLAAD Media Award is a US accolade bestowed by GLAAD to recognize and honor various branches of the media for their outstanding portrayals of LGBTQ people and the issues that affect their lives.[1] In addition to film and television, the Awards also recognize achievements in other branches of the media and arts, including theatre, music, journalism and advertising.[2]

Honorees are selected by a process involving over 700 GLAAD Media Award voters and volunteers and are evaluated using four criteria: "Fair, Accurate and Inclusive Representations" of the LGBT community, "Boldness and Originality" of the project, significant "Cultural Impact" on mainstream culture, and "Overall Quality" of the project. Results are then certified by a "Review Panel" who determine the final list of recipients based on voting results and their own "expert opinions".[3][4]

The 1st GLAAD Media Awards ceremony honoring the 1989 season was held in 1990, and recognized 34 nominees in 7 competitive categories.[5]

## History

[edit]

The first GLAAD Media Awards were presented by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in 1990 to honor the 1989 season, and were envisioned as a way to recognize various branches of the media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.[6]

The 1st Annual Awards ceremony recognized 34 nominees in 7 competitive categories and was a relatively "small" affair.[6] At the 20th Annual Awards ceremony presented in 2009, GLAAD Award Honoree, Phil Donahue said of the first Annual ceremony: "It's unbelievable to think about the power and the warp speed of this revolution. Twenty years ago when I proudly accepted the first GLAAD Media Award…it was a very small crowd. There are more photographers here tonight than there were people then".[7][8]

For the first six years, winners were announced prior to the ceremony. Beginning with the 7th Annual Awards held in 1996, the change was made to its current format, announcing the winners in competitive categories at the ceremony. The 15th Annual Awards held in 2004 marked the first year nominations were expanded to recognize media in Spanish-language categories.[6] The 16th Annual Awards held in 2005 marked the first year that the ceremonies were televised, first airing on the LGBT-themed Logo channel on July 24, 2005.[9]

## Statuette

[edit]

The original GLAAD Media Award stood approximately 6-inches (15 cm) tall, consisting of a flat, 5-inch (13 cm) square-shaped crystal sculpture with a design of five concentric circles on a "newsprint" background. The sculpture was traditionally etched with the year it was presented followed by the words "GLAAD Media Award" and was mounted perpendicular to its flat, quadrant shaped base.[7][10][11]

The award remained unchanged until 2009, when an all new statuette designed by David Moritz of Society Awards was unveiled for the 20th annual GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies. The current statuette stands 12-inches (30.5 cm) tall, consisting of a 9-inch (23 cm) die-cast zinc sculpture, hand finished with a satin texture, plated with a nickel and rhodium finish, and mounted on a 3-inch (7.6 cm) tall, black-stained ash, trapezoidal shaped base.[7][12]

## Nomination and selection

[edit]

Nominees are selected by GLAAD "Nominating Juries" consisting of over 90 volunteers with interest and expertise in the particular category they are judging. Nominating Juries may select up to ten nominees in each category since 2015; previous presentations only allowed up to five. If no projects are deemed worthy of nomination in a particular category, the jury may choose to not award that category. At the end of the year, the Nominating Juries submit their list of recommended nominees to GLAAD's staff and Board of Directors for approval.[3][4]

In addition to media monitoring by the juries, GLAAD issues a "Call for Entries", inviting media outlets to submit their work for consideration, however, GLAAD may nominate a mainstream media project even if it is not submitted as part of the call for entries. GLAAD does not monitor media created by and for the LGBT community for defamation, therefore, media outlets created by and for an LGBT audience must submit in order to be considered for nomination.[3][4]

Candidates considered for nomination are evaluated using four criteria: "Fair, Accurate and Inclusive Representations", meaning that the diversity of the LGBT community is represented, "Boldness and Originality", meaning the project breaks new ground by exploring LGBT subject matter in non-traditional ways, "Cultural Impact", meaning the project impacts an audience that may not regularly be exposed to LGBT issues, and "Overall Quality", meaning a project of extremely high quality which adds impact and significance to the images and issues portrayed.[3][4]

Over 600 GLAAD Media Award voters participate in the selection of Honorees from the pool of Nominees in each category via online balloting. Voters are made up of three groups: GLAAD staff and board, GLAAD Alliance and Media Circle members, and GLAAD volunteers & allies (which include former Honorees, media industry allies, volunteers from the "Nominating Juries" and "Event Production Teams").[3][4]

These results are then reviewed for certification by a "Review Panel" which consists of the GLAAD Board co-chairs, senior GLAAD program and communications staff, and media industry experts. Members of the Review Panel are expected to view all of the nominees in each category, and the final list of award recipients is determined by the Review Panel based on the results of the online balloting and their own "expert opinions".[3][4]

## Categories

[edit]

The first Annual Awards recognized Honorees in just 7 competitive categories, all for television.[6] Over the years, the competitive categories have been expanded to recognize various other branches of the media including, film, theatre, music, print media, digital media, and advertising, as well as establishing additional categories recognizing Spanish-language media and a "Special Recognition" category for media representations that may not meet the criteria of pre-existing categories.[2] Unlike similar awards, the GLAAD Media Awards do not honor individual cast or crew in competitive categories for film or television performances.

While many of the categories have been expanded over time, several early categories have been "merged" or phased out altogether. One notable example being the omission of the "Outstanding Daytime Drama" category in 2011, reflecting the steady decline in popularity of English-language daytime soaps. As of 2018, GLAAD considers nominations in a total of 27 English-language categories and 12 Spanish-language categories, however, If no projects within a category are deemed worthy of recognition, GLAAD may choose to not award the category that year.[2][3] As of 2023, there are 33 competitive categories:[13]

### English-language

[edit]

Film

* Outstanding Film – Wide Release (1991-present)
* Outstanding Film – Limited Release (1994-present)
* Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV

Television

* Outstanding Documentary (1990-present)
* Outstanding Comedy Series (1990-present)
* Outstanding Drama Series (1990-present)
* Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series (1994-present)
* Outstanding New TV Series (2023-present)
* Outstanding Reality Program (2004-present)
* Outstanding Reality Competition Program (2023-present)
* Outstanding Children's Programming (2021-present)
* Outstanding Kids and Family Programming - Live Action (2018-present)
* Outstanding Kids and Family Programming - Animated (2023-present)
* Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode (2005-present)

Other

* Outstanding Blog (2011-present)
* Outstanding Broadway Production (1991, 1993-present)
* Outstanding Comic Book (1992-present)
* Outstanding Graphic Novel/Anthology (2022-present)
* Outstanding Music Artist (1991-present)
* Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist (2021-present)
* Outstanding Podcast (2023-present)
* Outstanding Video Game[14] (2019-present)
* Special Recognition

Journalism

* Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine (2006-present)
* Outstanding TV Journalism Segment (1992-1993, 2006-present)
* Outstanding Newspaper – Overall Coverage
* Outstanding Newspaper Article
* Outstanding Newspaper Columnist
* Outstanding Magazine – Overall Coverage
* Outstanding Magazine Article
* Outstanding Digital Journalism Article
* Outstanding Digital Journalism – Multimedia

### Spanish-language

[edit]

* Outstanding TV Novela
* Outstanding Daytime Talk Show Episode
* Outstanding Talk Show Interview
* Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine
* Outstanding TV Journalism Segment
* Outstanding Newspaper Article
* Outstanding Magazine Article
* Outstanding Digital Journalism Article
* Outstanding Digital Journalism – Multimedia
* Outstanding Blog
* Outstanding Music Artist
* Special Recognition

### Defunct categories

[edit]

* Outstanding Individual Episode (1998-2020)
* Outstanding Daily Drama
* Outstanding New York Theater – Broadway & Off-Broadway
* Outstanding New York Theater – Off-Off Broadway
* Outstanding Los Angeles Theater

## Special awards

[edit]

In addition to the GLAAD Media Awards' competitive categories, special non-competitive "Honorary Awards" have also been presented since the first Awards ceremony. Beginning with just one Honorary Award, then known as the "Special Honoree Award" presented at the first annual GLAAD Media Awards, the Honorary Awards have also been expanded to recognize the diversity of contributions of respective Honorees. The most notable of these Special Honorary Awards are:

Ally Award
Presented twice at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York to Brett Ratner & Mariah Carey. It is presented to a media figure who has consistently used their platform to support and advance LGBT equality and acceptance.[15]
Advocate for Change Award
Presented at the Los Angeles GLAAD Media Awards in 2013. Its inaugural recipient was former U.S. President Bill Clinton for his record of promoting tolerance, including advocating same-sex marriage and calling for the Supreme Court of the United States to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act.[16] The award was presented to Madonna in 2019.[17]
Davidson/Valentini Award
Presented annually at the San Francisco GLAAD Media Awards. It is named in memory of Craig Davidson, GLAAD's first executive director, and his partner Michael Valentini, a GLAAD supporter. It is presented to an openly LGBT individual who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community.
Excellence in Media Award
Presented annually at the New York GLAAD Media Awards. It is presented to individuals in the media and entertainment industries who through their work have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community.
Golden Gate Award
Presented annually at the San Francisco GLAAD Media Awards. It is presented to media professionals who have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community.
Pioneer Award
Presented at the GLAAD Media Awards. It is presented to a pioneering individual, group or outlet that has made a significant contribution to the development of LGBT-inclusive media images prior to the existence of the GLAAD Media Awards.
Stephen F. Kolzak Award
Presented annually at the GLAAD Media Awards. It is named after Stephen Kolzak, the Los Angeles casting director who devoted the last part of his life to fighting AIDS-phobia and homophobia in the entertainment industry. The award is given to an openly LGBT member of the entertainment or media community for his or her work toward eliminating homophobia.
Vanguard Award
Presented annually at the Los Angeles GLAAD Media Awards. It is presented to a member of the entertainment community who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for LGBT people.
Visibilidad Award
Presented at the GLAAD Media Awards. It is presented to an openly LGBT Spanish-language media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community.
Vito Russo Award
Presented annually at the GLAAD Media Awards. It is named in memory of Vito Russo, a founding member of GLAAD, and presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for the LGBT community.

## Ceremony

[edit]

GLAAD Media Award Honoree Laverne Cox at the 25th GLAAD Media Awards, Los Angeles, April 12, 2014.

Award recipients are announced at the annual GLAAD Media Awards banquet ceremonies usually held in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco to honor achievements from January 1 to December 31 of the previous calendar year.[3][4] Over the years, ceremonies have also been held in Washington, D.C., and Miami. Each year's hosts and presenters are usually selected from former Honorees, celebrities and/or prominent public figures known for their contributions to the LGBT community.

The announcement of award recipients in all competitive categories is withheld until the ceremonies. Although presented annually in three cities, time constraints dictate that not all of the awards are presented onstage. Categories presented onstage in their respective cities are chosen to reflect the range of GLAAD's work with the media, representing a mix of entertainment, news, and Spanish-language awards. Recipients who are not announced onstage are instead announced by a listing in the ceremony's program book.[4]

The 16th Annual Awards held in 2005 were the first year that the ceremonies were televised, first airing on the Logo channel on July 24, 2005.[9] Logo continued to air the telecast annually, editing together each city's respective ceremonies for each year into one annual show, as well as airing a retrospective special in 2005 titled "The Best of the GLAAD Media Awards" which documented the history of the first 15 years of the Awards. Logo ceased to televise the ceremony in 2008 when the Bravo network acquired exclusive broadcast rights to air the 19th Annual Awards telecast.[18]

GLAAD Media Awards Ceremonies

Ceremony | Venue | City | Date
1st GLAAD Media Awards | Time & Life Building | New York City | 1990
April 29, 1990
2nd GLAAD Media Awards | (Unknown)
Beverly Hilton Hotel | New York City
Los Angeles | 1991
April 21, 1991
3rd GLAAD Media Awards | Windows on the World
Beverly Hilton Hotel | New York City
Los Angeles | April 6, 1992
April 11, 1992
4th GLAAD Media Awards | Beverly Hilton Hotel
The Plaza Hotel | Los Angeles
New York City | March 20, 1993
March 28, 1993
5th GLAAD Media Awards | The Plaza Hotel
Century Plaza Hotel | New York City
Los Angeles | March 13, 1994
March 19, 1994
6th GLAAD Media Awards | Century Plaza Hotel
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
National Press Club | Los Angeles
New York City
Washington, D.C. | March 12, 1995
March 16, 1995
March 19, 1995
7th GLAAD Media Awards | Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
Century Plaza Hotel
National Press Club | New York City
Los Angeles
Washington, D.C. | March 7, 1996
March 10, 1996
March 13, 1996
8th GLAAD Media Awards | Century Plaza Hotel
National Press Club
Sheraton Hotel and Towers | Los Angeles
Washington, D.C.
New York City | March 16, 1997
March 26, 1997
March 31, 1997
9th GLAAD Media Awards | Hilton Hotel
George Washington Marriott
Century Plaza Hotel | New York City
Washington, D.C.
Los Angeles | March 30, 1998
April 4, 1998
April 19, 1998
10th GLAAD Media Awards | Hilton Hotel
Century Plaza Hotel
JW Marriott | New York City
Los Angeles
Washington, D.C. | March 28, 1999
April 17, 1999
May 8, 1999
11th GLAAD Media Awards | Hilton Hotel
Century Plaza Hotel
JW Marriott
Argent Hotel | New York City
Los Angeles
Washington, D.C.
San Francisco | April 2, 2000
April 15, 2000
May 13, 2000
June 3, 2000
12th GLAAD Media Awards | Hilton Hotel
Century Plaza Hotel
Lisner Auditorium
Westin St. Francis | New York City
Los Angeles
Washington, D.C.
San Francisco | April 16, 2001
April 28, 2001
May 12, 2001
June 9, 2001
13th GLAAD Media Awards | Marriott Marquis
Kodak Theatre
Westin St. Francis | New York City
Los Angeles
San Francisco | April 1, 2002
April 13, 2002
June 1, 2002
14th GLAAD Media Awards | Marriott Marquis
Kodak Theatre
Westin St. Francis | New York City
Los Angeles
San Francisco | April 7, 2003
April 26, 2003
May 31, 2003
15th GLAAD Media Awards | Marriott Marquis
Kodak Theatre
Westin St. Francis | Los Angeles
New York City
San Francisco | March 27, 2004
April 12, 2004
June 5, 2004
16th GLAAD Media Awards | Marriott Marquis
Kodak Theatre
Westin St. Francis | New York City
Los Angeles
San Francisco | March 28, 2005
April 30, 2005
June 11, 2005
17th GLAAD Media Awards | Marriott Marquis
Kodak Theatre
Ritz-Carlton Hotel
JW Marriott | New York City
Los Angeles
Miami
San Francisco | March 27, 2006
April 8, 2006
May 25, 2006
June 10, 2006
18th GLAAD Media Awards | Marriott Marquis
Kodak Theatre
Westin St. Francis
JW Marriott | New York City
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Miami | March 26, 2007
April 14, 2007
April 28, 2007
May 10, 2007
19th GLAAD Media Awards | Marriott Marquis
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel
Kodak Theatre
JW Marriott | New York City
Miami
Los Angeles
San Francisco | March 17, 2008
April 12, 2008
April 26, 2008
May 10, 2008
20th GLAAD Media Awards | Marriott Marquis
Nokia Theatre
Hilton Towers | New York City
Los Angeles
San Francisco | March 28, 2009
April 18, 2009
May 9, 2009
21st GLAAD Media Awards | Marriott Marquis
Century Plaza Hotel
Westin St. Francis | New York City
Los Angeles
San Francisco | March 13, 2010
April 18, 2010
June 5, 2010
22nd GLAAD Media Awards | Marriott Marquis
Westin Bonaventure Hotel
San Francisco Marriott Marquis | New York City
Los Angeles
San Francisco | March 19, 2011
April 10, 2011
May 14, 2011
23rd GLAAD Media Awards | Marriott Marquis
Westin Bonaventure Hotel
San Francisco Marriott Marquis | New York City
Los Angeles
San Francisco | March 24, 2012
April 21, 2012
June 2, 2012
24th GLAAD Media Awards | Marriott Marquis
JW Marriott
Hilton Towers | New York City
Los Angeles
San Francisco | March 16, 2013
April 20, 2013
May 11, 2013
25th GLAAD Media Awards | The Beverly Hilton
Waldorf Astoria New York | Los Angeles
New York City | April 12, 2014
May 3, 2014
26th GLAAD Media Awards | The Beverly Hilton
Waldorf Astoria New York | Los Angeles
New York City | March 21, 2015
May 9, 2015
27th GLAAD Media Awards | The Beverly Hilton
Waldorf Astoria New York | Los Angeles
New York City | April 4, 2016
May 14, 2016
28th GLAAD Media Awards | The Beverly Hilton
New York Hilton Midtown | Los Angeles
New York City | April 1, 2017
May 6, 2017
29th GLAAD Media Awards | The Beverly Hilton
New York Hilton Midtown | Los Angeles
New York City | April 12, 2018
May 5, 2018
30th GLAAD Media Awards | The Beverly Hilton
New York Hilton Midtown | Los Angeles
New York City | March 28, 2019
May 4, 2019
31st GLAAD Media Awards | N/A  | online[a] | July 30, 2020
32nd GLAAD Media Awards | N/A  | online[a] | April 8, 2021
33rd GLAAD Media Awards | The Beverly Hilton
New York Hilton Midtown  | Los Angeles
New York City  | April 2, 2022
May 6, 2022
34th GLAAD Media Awards | The Beverly Hilton
New York Hilton Midtown  | Los Angeles
New York City  | March 30, 2023
May 13, 2023
35th GLAAD Media Awards | New York City  | New York City  | May 12, 2024
36th GLAAD Media Awards | The Beverly Hilton  | Los Angeles  | March 27, 2025

## See also

[edit]

* LGBTQ portal

* List of American television awards
* List of LGBT-related awards
* Felix-Rexhausen Award
* Rainbow Awards

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b This event was held virtually.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "GLAAD Media Awards – Home". GLAAD.org. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
2. ^ a b c "GLAAD Media Award – Categories". GLAAD.org. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h "GLAAD Media Award – Selections". GLAAD.org. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
4. ^ a b c d e f g h "GLAAD Media Award – FAQs". GLAAD.org. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
5. ^ "GLAAD Media Award – Press". GLAAD.org. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
6. ^ a b c d "15th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". GLAAD.org. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
7. ^ a b c Kissell, Rick (March 29, 2009). "20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". Variety. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
8. ^ "20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". GLAADBlog.org. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
9. ^ a b "16th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". LogoTV.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
10. ^ "Elizabeth Taylor Accepts GLAAD Media Award". Youtube. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
11. ^ "Kathy Griffin Holds GLAAD Media Award". Life.com. Retrieved July 4, 2011.[permanent dead link]
12. ^ O'Neil, Tom (March 28, 2009). "GLAAD Award Winners Receive New Statuette". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 30, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
13. ^ Complex, Valerie (January 18, 2023). "GLAAD Announces Nominees For The 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". Deadline Hollywood.
14. ^ Good, Owen (September 27, 2018). "GLAAD awards will spotlight video games for the first time". Polygon. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
15. ^ "Ally Award – GLAAD". GLAAD. April 21, 2016. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
16. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (April 3, 2013). "GLAAD Media Awards To Honor Bill Clinton, Top Hollywood Attorney Steve Warren". Deadline Hollywood.
17. ^ "Madonna to be Honored with the Advocate for Change Award for Lifetime of Accelerating LGBTQ Acceptance at the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". GLAAD. February 5, 2019.
18. ^ "GLAAD Awards Call Bravo Home". MiamiHerald.com. Retrieved July 5, 2011.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to GLAAD Media Awards.

* Official website
* GLAAD Media Awards on YouTube
* GLAAD Media Awards at IMDb
* GLAAD Media Awards at Life

* v
* t
* e

GLAAD Media Awards

Ceremonies|

* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Competitive
award categories|

* Film – Wide Release
* Film – Limited Release
* Documentary
* Comedy Series
* Drama Series
* Limited or Anthology Series
* Children's Programming
* Kids and Family Programming
* Reality Program
* Individual Episode
* Comic Book
* Graphic Novel/Anthology
* Music Artist
* Breakthrough Music Artist
* Video Game
* Independent Journalism

Special awards|

* Davidson/Valentini Award
* Excellence in Media Award
* Golden Gate Award
* Stephen F. Kolzak Award
* Vanguard Award
* Vito Russo Award

* v
* t
* e

Television in the United States

Stations and networks|

* Over-the-air television networks
* ABC
* CBS
* NBC
* Fox
* Stations
* Cable and satellite
* Networks
* High-definition
* Channels

Awards and events|

* Emmy Awards
* Primetime
* Daytime
* Children's & Family
* International
* Sports
* News & Documentary
* Technology & Engineering
* Sylvania Award
* Directors Guild of America Awards
* Producers Guild of America Awards
* Writers Guild of America Awards
* Golden Globes
* Screen Actors Guild Awards
* TCA Awards
* Critics' Choice TV Award
* Peabody Awards
* People's Choice Awards
* NAACP Image Awards
* Eddie Awards
* Artios Awards
* American Society of Cinematographers Awards
* Humanitas Prize
* ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards
* Hugo Awards
* Visual Effects Society Awards
* Golden Reel Award
* GLAAD Media Awards
* MTV Movie & TV Awards
* MTV Fandom Awards

Organizations|

* Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
* Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers
* American Society of Cinematographers
* Directors Guild of America
* Federal Communications Commission
* Motion Picture Association
* National Association of Broadcasters
* National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
* National Cable & Telecommunications Association
* Paley Center for Media
* Producers Guild of America
* SAG-AFTRA
* Writers Guild of America
* East
* West

History|

* Prewar broadcasting
* Golden Age
* Network era
* Multi-channel transition
* New Golden Age
* Post-network era
* Streaming wars
* History by decade

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