3rd Annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television: Critics Choice Association Unveils 2026 Honorees
The Critics Choice Association is getting ready to celebrate queer excellence in a major way again. The 3rd Annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television is officially set for May 29, 2026, in Los Angeles, and this year’s honorees remind us just how expansive, powerful, and necessary LGBTQ+ storytelling continues to be across film and TV.
As we look ahead to the 3rd Annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television, it’s clear this event isn’t just about recognition, but about spotlighting the voices shaping queer narratives today, from industry legends to rising stars redefining representation in real time.
Leading the list is Jane Lynch, who will receive the Groundbreaker Award. A longtime icon within the LGBTQ+ community, Lynch’s career has consistently blended humor with visibility, creating space for queer talent in mainstream entertainment while never losing her signature bite.
Next up, Dan Levy is being honored with the Vanguard Award for his latest project Big Mistakes (dropping on Netflix on April 9). Levy continues to center queer stories with care and intention, pushing representation forward with layered, character-driven storytelling that resonates globally.
Comedy powerhouse Paula Pell will receive the Trailblazer Award, recognizing a career that has opened doors for queer creatives both in front of and behind the camera. Her work continues to shape the comedic landscape while amplifying LGBTQ+ voices.
On the performance front, Hannah Einbinder is set to receive the Performance Award for a Comedy Series for her work in Hacks, where her portrayal brings a deeply authentic queer perspective to the screen. Meanwhile, Bre-Z will be honored with the Performance Award for a Drama Series for All American, delivering a character arc that reflects growth, identity, and the lived experience of a young lesbian navigating life into adulthood.
In the supporting category, Brandon Scott Jones earns recognition for Ghosts, where his performance blends humor with meaningful exploration of queer identity and self-acceptance.
Behind the camera, Dearbhla Walsh will receive the Director Award for her work on Margo’s Got Money Troubles, continuing her legacy of bringing layered, often queer-centered storytelling to life. Similarly, Jacob Tierney is being honored with the Showrunner Award for Heated Rivalry, a series that captured global attention and further proved the demand for compelling queer narratives in television.
The Ensemble Award goes to a standout group from Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, including Tig Notaro, Karim Diané, Gina Yashere, and Kerrice Brooks. Their work highlights the evolution of queer storytelling within a major franchise, bringing forward inclusive and dynamic narratives, including groundbreaking representation like the franchise’s first gay Klingon.
Noah Schnapp will receive the Breakthrough Performance Award for Stranger Things, recognized for portraying a coming-out journey set in the 1980s with emotional depth and honesty, something that continues to resonate with younger audiences discovering their own identities.
And in the reality TV space, The Boulet Brothers will be honored for The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans, a series that has reimagined drag through a queer, horror-infused lens while expanding what reality competition can look like.
“LGBTQ+ representation continues to matter, now more than ever,” said Joey Berlin, CEO of the Critics Choice Association. “The Critics Choice Association is proud to celebrate and uplift the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community.”
With such a diverse and impactful group of honorees, the 3rd Annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ is shaping up to be more than just an awards event—it’s a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how much further queer storytelling can go when it’s given the spotlight it deserves.
The Critics Choice Association 3rd Annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television will take place on May 29. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!
Featured Image: Images Courtesy of The Critics Choice Association (CCA).
