The GLAAD Media Award is a US accolade bestowed by GLAAD to recognize and honor various branches of the media for outstanding portrayals of LGBTQ people and the issues that affect their lives. 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.
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".
The 1st GLAAD Media Awards ceremony honoring the 1989 season was held in 1990, and recognized 34 nominees in 7 competitive categories.
History
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.
The 1st Annual Awards ceremony recognized 34 nominees in 7 competitive categories and was a relatively "small" affair.
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.
Statuette
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.
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.
Nomination and selection
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.
English-language
Spanish-language
Defunct categories
- 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
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.
;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. The award was presented to Madonna in 2019.
;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
thumb|right|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.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies
|-
! Ceremony
! Date
! Venue
! City
! Host
! Broadcaster
|-
| 1st
| April 29, 1990
| Time & Life Building
| rowspan="2" |New York City, New York
| Phil Donahue
| rowspan="41"
|-
| rowspan="2" |2nd
| 1991
|
| rowspan="58"
|-
| April 21, 1991
| The Beverly Hilton
| Beverly Hills, California
|-
| rowspan="2" |3rd
| April 6, 1992
| Windows on the World
| New York City, New York
|-
| April 11, 1992
| rowspan="2" |The Beverly Hilton
| rowspan="2" |Beverly Hills, California
|-
| rowspan="2" |4th
| March 20, 1993
|-
| March 28, 1993
| rowspan="2" |Plaza Hotel
| rowspan="2" |New York City, New York
|-
| rowspan="2" |5th
| March 13, 1994
|-
| March 19, 1994
| rowspan="2" |Century Plaza Hotel
| rowspan="2" |Los Angeles, California
|-
| rowspan="3" |6th
| March 12, 1995
|-
| March 16, 1995
| Waldorf Astoria New York
| New York City, New York
|-
| March 19, 1995
| National Press Club
| Washington, D.C.
|-
| rowspan="3" |7th
| March 7, 1996
| Waldorf Astoria New York
| New York City, New York
|-
| March 10, 1996
| Century Plaza Hotel
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| March 13, 1996
| National Press Club
| Washington, D.C.
|-
| rowspan="3" |8th
| March 16, 1997
| Century Plaza Hotel
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| March 26, 1997
| National Press Club
| Washington, D.C.
|-
| March 31, 1997
| Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers
| rowspan="2" |New York City, New York
|-
| rowspan="3" |9th
| March 30, 1998
| Hilton New York
|-
| April 4, 1998
| George Washington Marriott
| Washington, D.C.
|-
| April 19, 1998
| Century Plaza Hotel
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| rowspan="3" |10th
| March 28, 1999
| Hilton New York
| New York City, New York
|-
| April 17, 1999
| Century Plaza Hotel
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| May 8, 1999
| JW Marriott Washington, DC
| Washington, D.C.
|-
| rowspan="4" |11th
| April 2, 2000
| Hilton New York
| New York City, New York
|-
| April 15, 2000
| Century Plaza Hotel
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| May 13, 2000
| JW Marriott Washington, DC
| Washington, D.C.
|-
| June 3, 2000
| Argent Hotel
| San Francisco, California
|-
| rowspan="4" |12th
| April 16, 2001
| Hilton New York
| New York City, New York
|-
| April 28, 2001
| The St. Regis Los Angeles
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| May 12, 2001
| Lisner Auditorium
| Washington, D.C.
|-
| June 9, 2001
| Westin St. Francis
| San Francisco, California
|-
| rowspan="3" |13th
| April 1, 2002
| New York Marriott Marquis
| New York City, New York
|-
| April 13, 2002
| Kodak Theatre
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| June 1, 2002
| Westin St. Francis
| San Francisco, California
|-
| rowspan="3" |14th
| April 7, 2003
| New York Marriott Marquis
| New York City, New York
|-
| April 26, 2003
| Kodak Theatre
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| May 31, 2003
| Westin St. Francis
| San Francisco, California
|-
| rowspan="3" |15th
| March 27, 2004
| New York Marriott Marquis
| New York City, New York
|-
| April 12, 2004
| Kodak Theatre
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| June 5, 2004
| Westin St. Francis
| San Francisco, California
|-
| rowspan="3" |16th
| March 28, 2005
| New York Marriott Marquis
| New York City, New York
| rowspan="11" |Logo
|-
| April 30, 2005
| Kodak Theatre
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| June 11, 2005
| Westin St. Francis
| San Francisco, California
|-
| rowspan="4" |17th
| March 27, 2006
| New York Marriott Marquis
| New York City, New York
|-
| April 8, 2006
| Kodak Theatre
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| May 25, 2006
| Ritz-Carlton Hotel
| Miami, Florida
|-
| June 10, 2006
| JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square
| San Francisco, California
|-
| rowspan="4" |18th
| March 26, 2007
| New York Marriott Marquis
| New York City, New York
|-
| April 14, 2007
| Kodak Theatre
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| April 28, 2007
| Westin St. Francis
| San Francisco, California
|-
| May 10, 2007
| JW Marriott Marquis Miami
| Miami, Florida
|-
| rowspan="4" |19th
| March 17, 2008
| New York Marriott Marquis
| New York City, New York
| rowspan="4" |Bravo
|-
| April 12, 2008
| Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood
| Hollywood, Florida
|-
| April 26, 2008
| Kodak Theatre
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| May 10, 2008
| JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square
| San Francisco, California
|-
| rowspan="3" |20th
| March 28, 2009
| New York Marriott Marquis
| New York City, New York
| rowspan="19"
|-
| April 18, 2009
| Nokia Theatre
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| May 9, 2009
| Hilton San Francisco Union Square
| San Francisco, California
|-
| rowspan="3" |21st
| March 13, 2010
| New York Marriott Marquis
| New York City, New York
| Alan Cumming
|-
| April 18, 2010
| Hyatt Regency Century Plaza
| Los Angeles, California
| Candis Cayne<br />Wilson Cruz
|-
| June 5, 2010
| Westin St. Francis
| San Francisco, California
| Bruce Vilanch
|-
| rowspan="3" |22nd
| March 19, 2011
| New York Marriott Marquis
| New York City, New York
| Andy Cohen
|-
| April 10, 2011
| Westin Bonaventure Hotel
| Los Angeles, California
|
|-
| May 14, 2011
| San Francisco Marriott Marquis
| San Francisco, California
| Naya Rivera
|-
| rowspan="3" |23rd
| March 24, 2012
| New York Marriott Marquis
| New York City, New York
| Naya Rivera<br />Cory Monteith
|-
| April 21, 2012
| Westin Bonaventure Hotel
| Los Angeles, California
|
|-
| June 2, 2012
| San Francisco Marriott Marquis
| San Francisco, California
| Dianna Agron
|-
| rowspan="3" |24th
| March 16, 2013
| New York Marriott Marquis
| New York City, New York
| rowspan="7"
|-
| April 20, 2013
| JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE
| Los Angeles, California
|-
| May 11, 2013
| Hilton San Francisco Union Square
| San Francisco, California
|-
| rowspan="2" |25th
| April 12, 2014
| The Beverly Hilton
| Beverly Hills, California
|-
| May 3, 2014
| Waldorf Astoria New York
| New York City, New York
|-
| rowspan="2" |26th
| March 21, 2015
| The Beverly Hilton
| Beverly Hills, California
|-
| May 9, 2015
| Waldorf Astoria New York
| New York City, New York
|-
| rowspan="2" |27th
| April 4, 2016
| The Beverly Hilton
| Beverly Hills, California
| Laverne Cox
| rowspan="2" |Logo TV
|-
| May 14, 2016
| Waldorf Astoria New York
| New York City, New York
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |28th
| April 1, 2017
| The Beverly Hilton
| Beverly Hills, California
| Cameron Esposito
| rowspan="6"
|-
| May 6, 2017
| New York Hilton Midtown
| New York City, New York
| Ross Mathews
|-
| rowspan="2" |29th
| April 12, 2018
| The Beverly Hilton
| Beverly Hills, California
| Wanda Sykes
|-
| May 5, 2018
| New York Hilton Midtown
| New York City, New York
| rowspan="2" |Ross Mathews
|-
| rowspan="2" |30th
| March 28, 2019
| The Beverly Hilton
| Beverly Hills, California
|-
| May 4, 2019
| New York Hilton Midtown
| New York City, New York
| Shangela
|-
| 31st
| July 30, 2020
|
| online<!-- -->
| Fortune Feimster<br />Gina Yashere
| Facebook<br />YouTube
|-
| 32nd
| April 8, 2021
|
| online <!-- -->
| Niecy Nash
| rowspan="9" |Hulu
|-
| rowspan="2" |33rd
| April 2, 2022
| The Beverly Hilton
| Beverly Hills, California
| Bob the Drag Queen<br />Eureka O'Hara<br />Shangela
|-
| May 6, 2022
| New York Hilton Midtown
| New York City, New York
| Cody Rigsby<br />Peppermint
|-
| rowspan="2" |34th
| March 30, 2023
| The Beverly Hilton
| Beverly Hills, California
| Margaret Cho
|-
| May 13, 2023
| New York Hilton Midtown
| New York City, New York
| Harvey Guillén
|-
| rowspan="2" |35th
| March 14, 2024
| The Beverly Hilton
| Beverly Hills, California
| Wayne Brady
|-
| May 12, 2024
| New York Hilton Midtown
| New York City, New York
| Ross Mathews
|-
| 36th
| March 27, 2025
| The Beverly Hilton
| Beverly Hills, California
| Michael Urie
|-
| 37th
| March 5, 2026
| The Beverly Hilton
| Beverly Hills, California
| Jonathan Bennett
|}
See also
- List of American television awards
- List of LGBT-related awards
- Felix-Rexhausen Award
- Rainbow Awards
Notes
References
External links
- GLAAD Media Awards on YouTube
- GLAAD Media Awards at IMDb
- GLAAD Media Awards at Life