The 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards returns to Los Angeles on March 5, 2026 with a lineup that reflects how LGBTQ+ voices are shaping entertainment today.
This year’s ceremony will spotlight three influential figures: Quinta Branson, who will receive the Vanguard Award, and podcasting heavyweights Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, who will share the Stephen F. Korzak Award. The Los Angeles event will be streamed exclusively on Hulu starting March 21st.
Since 1990, the GLAAD Media Awards have recognized fair and inclusive LGBTQ representation in film, television, music, journalism, gaming, and more. This year’s nominations totaled 291 films in 32 categories, reflecting films that will be released in 2025.
Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers receive Stephen F. Kolzak Award
Yang and Rogers, the duo behind the podcast “Las Culturistas,” will be honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, which recognizes LGBTQ media professionals who have increased visibility and acceptance. The award is named after a casting director who fought against homophobia and HIV discrimination within Hollywood.
Over the past few years, Las Culturistas has evolved from a cult favorite to a cultural force. The show won a GLAAD Media Award in 2024 and has featured a wide range of queer creatives, from drag artists to writers to actors. The “Honest Conversation” episode, in which the two stray from the punchline, resonated with listeners navigating their identities and chosen families.
Beyond the microphone, both comedians expanded their scope of practice. Yang, a main cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” became the most nominated Asian male performer in Emmy history in 2025. He has been outspoken about representation, including addressing anti-Asian violence on air and starring in the romantic comedy “Fire Island.”
Rodgers dubbed ‘Christmas Prince’ after releasing holiday album Have you heard about Christmas?balanced writing credits and acting roles on the queer-forward comedy. The duo also took the Las Culturistas Culture Awards from the live stage to television, turning an inside joke into a headline moment.
Upcoming feature projects at Searchlight Pictures signal further leaps forward in keeping queer perspectives at the center of mainstream storytelling.
Quinta Branson receives Vanguard Award
Branson will be honored with the Vanguard Award, which honors allies who promote LGBTQ inclusion in the media. Past winners include Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé and Cher.
As the creator and star of Abbott Elementary School, Branson reinvented the network sitcom. The series, set in Philadelphia public schools, stars Jacob Hill, played by Chris Perfetti, as an openly gay teacher whose orientation is just one part of his life. There are no dramatic developments. There are no slots for this week’s lessons. Fully realized characters are allowed to exist.
Branson once summed up her approach with a phrase that became a meme: “People are gay.” This line, widely shared during Pride Month, became shorthand for normalizing queerness without spectacle. Some fans even use this meme to come out to their loved ones. This is proof that humor can carry weight.
Her accolades continue to mount, including an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. But the GLAAD Media Awards focus on something less quantifiable: the impact of portraying LGBTQ characters as part of everyday life.
Performers and special appearances
The March 5th ceremony will also feature a performance by breakout artist Eli, who is nominated for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist. She joins previously announced performer Demi Lovato and host Jonathan Bennett.
Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn will make a special appearance, and entertainers, journalists and activists will be in attendance. Podcast nominees such as Tig Notaro and Monet X Change will also be participating in the festival.
Hulu will serve as the event’s streaming home for the sixth year in a row, highlighting the platform’s continued investment in LGBTQ stories.
A night that reflects the moment
The GLAAD Media Awards remains one of the most high-profile stages dedicated to LGBTQ media advocacy. In a year where debates over representation continue to dominate headlines, the 2026 ceremony is both a celebration and a statement.
Celebrating Branson, Yang, and Rogers underscores a broader shift in which queer voices are no longer confined to a corner of culture. They’re shaping it in the writer’s room, on the soundstage, on the podcast charts, and across streaming platforms.
The impact will be in the spotlight on March 5th in Los Angeles.
Source: Gayety – gayety.com
