GLAAD Media Awards 2026: A Night Celebrating LGBTQ Stories and Voices
The 37th annual GLAAD Media Awards lit up Los Angeles on Thursday night, delivering a powerful celebration of fair, accurate, and inclusive representation for the LGBTQ community. The ceremony, hosted by Mean Girls actor Jonathan Bennett, recognized excellence across 32 categories in television, film, journalism, and music.
Top Honors in Television and Film
The night’s wins highlighted both emerging hits and celebrated concluding series. The HBO Max/Crave sports romance phenomenon Heated Rivalry scored a major victory, taking home the award for Outstanding New TV Series. In the drama category, the cultural juggernaut Stranger Things (Netflix) was crowned Outstanding Drama Series, while Apple TV’s whimsical period comedy Palm Royale won Outstanding Comedy Series.
On the film side, the acclaimed re-imagining of Kiss of the Spider Woman (Roadside Attractions) won for Wide Theatrical Release. Ties were announced in two film categories, with the honors for Limited Theatrical Release shared by Blue Harbor Entertainment’s A Nice Indian Boy and Magnolia Pictures’ Plainclothes. Apple TV’s documentary Come See Me in the Good Light also triumphed.
Celebrating Reality, Podcasts, and Music
Unscripted television had its moment in the spotlight as Bravo’s Southern Hospitality won for Outstanding Reality Program, and Peacock’s deception-filled hit The Traitors was named Outstanding Reality Competition Program. In the audio realm, the podcast Handsome (Headgum) won top honors, while episodes from I’ve Had It and Call Her Daddy tied for Outstanding Podcast Episode.
Music awards went to Young Miko for “Do Not Disturb” (Outstanding Music Artist) and the groundbreaking new group Katseye for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist.
Prestigious Awards for Influential Voices
Beyond category awards, the evening honored individuals making a significant impact. Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson was presented with the prestigious Vanguard Award for her LGBTQ-inclusive storytelling. The Stephen F. Kolzak Award, given to those working to eliminate homophobia, was presented to the dynamic duo behind the Las Culturistas podcast, Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers.
Where to Watch and Full Winner List
For those who missed the live event, Hulu will begin streaming the ceremony on Saturday, March 21. The complete list of winners across all categories is below.
Outstanding New TV Series Heated Rivalry (HBO Max/Crave)
Outstanding Drama Series Stranger Things (Netflix)
Outstanding Comedy Series Palm Royale (Apple TV+)
Outstanding Film – Wide Theatrical Release Kiss of the Spider Woman (Roadside Attractions)
Outstanding Reality Program Southern Hospitality (Bravo)
Outstanding Reality Competition Program The Traitors (Peacock)
Outstanding Documentary Come See Me in the Good Light (Apple TV+)
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series Wayward (Netflix)
Outstanding Film – Limited Theatrical Release (TIE) A Nice Indian Boy (Blue Harbor Entertainment) Plainclothes (Magnolia Pictures)
Other Awards
- Distinguished Cinematic Production (Streaming/Television)
- Queen of Coal (Netflix)
- Premier Non-Fiction Feature
- Come See Me in the Good Light (Apple TV)
- Acclaimed Musical Performer
- Young Miko, Do Not Disturb (The Wave Music Group / Capitol Records)
- Emerging Musical Talent
- Katseye (Hybe x Geffen Records)
- Exceptional Broadway Stage Presentation
- Liberation, by Bess Wohl
- Superior Interactive Entertainment Title
- Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Don’t Nod)
- Top Comic Series Publication
- 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)
- Best Original Graphic Narrative or Collected Works
- Gaysians, by Mike Curato (Algonquin Books)
- Leading Programming for Young Viewers
- Firebuds (Disney Jr.)
- Premier Live-Action Series for Youth & Families
- XO, Kitty (Netflix)
- Exceptional Animated Content for Children & Households
- Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake (HBO Max)
- Notable Variety or Talk Show Segment
- “Guest Host Alan Cumming on Attacks Against the Trans Community & Bringing Kindness Back in America” from Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)
- Magazine Recognized for Comprehensive Editorial
- People
- Distinguished Long-Form Broadcast Journalism
- “A Transgender Marine Speaks Out” (NBC 7 San Diego)
- Remarkable Digital or Print Journalistic Feature
- “As the first out trans person in Congress, Sarah McBride is ready to fight for us” by Christopher Wiggins (Advocate)
- Outstanding Digital Journalism: Video & Multimedia
- “A Mother and Her Trans Teen Decide to Leave the U.S.” Text and Visuals by Sam Wolson, Illustrations by Lilli Carré (NewYorker.com)
- Exemplary Independent Journalistic Work
- Under The Desk News with V Spehar
- Barbara Gittings Award for Superior LGBTQ+ Media Contributions
- Them
- Distinctive Special Mentions
- The Drowsy Chaperone in Concert (Breaking the Binary Theatre)
- Gaydar with Anania
Honorees in Spanish-Language Categories:
- Exceptional Scripted Television Program
- Mariliendre (Atresplayer)
- Distinguished Television Reporting (Tie)
- “Ni hombre, ni mujer: Intersexual” Noticias Telemundo (Telemundo)
- “Orgullo 2025 Avances, Desafíos y Caminos” Spectrum Noticias (Spectrum)
- Premier Digital Journalism Article
- “My Coming Out Story” Quién [serie] (Quien.com)
- Top Online Journalism: Video & Multimedia
- “¿Tienes HIV, Mijo? A Mother’s Journey” Living y Ready (LatiNation)
- Additional Special Commendations
- Andry José Hernández Romero
- Before We Forget (Twenty Nine Palms Ent.)
