For the First Time, There’s Enough All-Ages LGBTQ Content That the GLAAD Awards Have a Whole Category for It

The nominees for the 29th GLAAD Media Awards have been announced, and for the first time, they include a category for LGBTQ-inclusive Kids & Family Programming. As Steven Universe creator Rebecca Sugar noted, this category didn’t exist until this year, and its addition shows how far all-ages programming has come in portraying LGBTQIA characters.

This is INCREDIBLE! Last year when Steven Universe was nominated for a #GLAADaward, this category didn’t exist! There is now enough LGBTQIA+ content for kids & families to make this possible!!! I am SO grateful and honored to be a part of this!!! THANK YOU! 💜💙💚💛🧡💖 https://t.co/5I1GDi0FYW

— Rebecca Sugar (@rebeccasugar) January 20, 2018

“What people see in the media has a powerful impact on how they treat others,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, “and the GLAAD Media Awards raise the bar for media to tell LGBTQ stories that accelerate acceptance. At a time when anti-LGBTQ policies and harassment are on the rise, it is imperative that Hollywood and news media tell more LGBTQ stories that reflect the community’s rich diversity – and build understanding that brings all communities closer together.”

The winners of the GLAAD Media Awards are chosen based on four criteria: fair, accurate, and inclusive representations; boldness and originality; impact; and overall quality. The Awards will be presented in two separate ceremonies: one in Los Angeles on April 12, 2018, and one in New York on May 5, 2018.

I’ve included the nominees for a few choice categories below, but you can see the full list over at GLAAD.

 

Outstanding Film – Wide Release

• Battle of the Sexes (Fox Searchlight)
• Call Me by Your Name (Sony Pictures Classics)
• Lady Bird (A24)
• Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (Annapurna Pictures)
• The Shape of Water (Fox Searchlight)

 

Outstanding Comedy Series

• The Bold Type (Freeform)
• Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)
• Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (The CW)
• Modern Family (ABC)
• One Day at a Time (Netflix)
• One Mississippi (Amazon)
• Superstore (NBC)
• Survivor’s Remorse (Starz)
• Transparent (Amazon)
• Will & Grace (NBC)

 

Outstanding Drama Series

• Billions (Showtime)
• Doubt (CBS)
• The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
• Nashville (CMT)
• Sense8 (Netflix)
• Shadowhunters (Freeform)
• Star (FOX)
• Star Trek: Discovery (CBS All Access)
• This Is Us (NBC)
• Wynonna Earp (Syfy)

 

Outstanding Kids & Family Programming

• Andi Mack (Disney Channel)
• “Chosen Family,” Danger & Eggs (Amazon)
• “The Emergency Plan,” Doc McStuffins (Disney Channel)
• Steven Universe (Cartoon Network)
• The Loud House (Nickelodeon)

 

Outstanding Comic Book

• America (Marvel)
  by Gabby Rivera, Joe Quinones, Ming Doyle, Stacey Lee, Ramon Villalobos, Walden Wong, Jen Bartel, Annie Wu, Aud Koch, Flaviano, Joe Rivera, Paolo Rivera, José Villarrubia, Jordan Gibson, Tamra Bonvillain, Brittany Peer, Rachelle Rosenberg, Travis Lanham
• The Backstagers (BOOM! Studios)
  by James Tynion IV, Rian Sygh, Walter Baiamonte, Jim Campbell
• Batwoman (DC Comics)
  by Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion IV, Steve Epting, Jeromy N. Cox, Stephanie Hans, Renato Arlem, Adriano Honorato Lucas, Fernando Blanco, John Rauch, Deron Bennett
• Black Panther: World of Wakanda (Marvel)
  by Roxane Gay, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Yona Harvey, Rembert Browne, Alitha E. Martinez, Manny Mederos, Joe Bennett, Afua Richardson, Roberto Poggi, Tamra Bonvillain, Rachelle Rosenberg, Virtual Calligraphy, Joe Sabino
• Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love (DC Comics)
  by Sarah Vaughn, Lan Medina, Phillip Hester, José Villarrubia, Janice Chiang
• Goldie Vance (BOOM! Studios)
  by Hope Larson, Jackie Ball, Brittney Williams, Noah Hayes, Sarah Stern, Jim Campbell
• Iceman (Marvel)
  by Sina Grace, Alessandro Vitti, Ibraim Roberson, Edgar Salazar, Edgar E. Tadeo, Robert Gill, Rachelle Rosenberg, Joe Sabino
• Lumberjanes (BOOM! Studios)
  by Kat Leyh, Shannon Watters, Carolyn Nowak, Ayme Sotuyo, Maarta Laiho, Aubrey Aiese
• Quantum Teens are Go (Black Mask Comics)
  by Magdalene Visaggio, Eryk Donovan, Claudia Aguirre, Zakk Saam
• The Woods (BOOM! Studios)
  by James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas, Ed Dukeshire

What do you think of the nominees list? Anything you wish had been recognized? Any properties you were surprised to see?

(Via GLAAD; image: GLAAD)

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