The LGBTQ+ community honored its brightest stars at the 14th yearly Queerties Awards on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, with “Heated Rivalry” and acclaimed artists Cynthia Erivo and Lady Gaga claiming key victories. The celebrated TV drama took home the award for outstanding television drama, while Jonathan Bailey secured the ceremony’s premier accolade, the Badass award. Erivo’s stellar night featured a pair of victories—Best Film Performance for her role in “Wicked: For Good” and Best Read for her memoir “Simply More.” Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” was named best anthem, cementing the pop icon’s ongoing influence. The ceremony, presented by drag legend Trixie Mattel, honored the community’s leading figures and cultural achievements, with winners selected by millions of LGBTQ+ people and allies.
Leading Winners Dominate the 14th Annual Ceremony
Jonathan Bailey’s acknowledgment as the Badass award winner—the ceremony’s most esteemed honor—underscored the “Heated Rivalry” star’s impact on LGBTQ+ storytelling and representation. The award, determined by millions of community members and allies, reflects Bailey’s significant work to television and his role in bringing authentic queer narratives to wider viewership. His win highlighted the Queerties’ commitment to celebrating performers who push boundaries and reimagine traditional storytelling in entertainment.
Cynthia Erivo’s two wins showcased her remarkable versatility across different platforms. Her award for Film Performance for “Wicked: For Good” recognized her captivating on-screen work, while her Read award for the memoir “Simply More” honored her openness and genuineness in revealing her experiences. These back-to-back victories established Erivo among the evening’s most lauded recipients, demonstrating how deeply her work resonates with the LGBTQ+ community.
- François Arnaud won television performance award for his “Heated Rivalry” performance
- Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” claimed top anthem award
- “Wicked: For Good” received film and performance awards
- Margaret Cho earned distinguished Icon Award recognition
TV and Film Take Center Stage
The 14th annual Queerties Awards highlighted the exceptional quality of LGBTQ+-focused storytelling across television and film, with prominent shows dominating the night’s most prestigious categories. “Heated Rivalry” emerged as a notable victor, claiming the best TV Drama award and demonstrating the show’s cultural impact on audiences worldwide. The recognition reflected the ceremony’s commitment to honoring narratives that genuinely portray queer experiences and challenge mainstream entertainment conventions. These victories highlighted how television has become a vital platform for diverse voices and compelling storytelling that connects profoundly with the LGBTQ+ community.
Film performances also garnered substantial acclaim throughout the evening, with “Wicked: For Good” becoming a major cultural moment for the community. The movie’s successes went further than individual honors, securing multiple wins that recognized both the artistic quality of the film and its broader cultural significance. These victories highlighted how cinema remains a source of influential venues for LGBTQ+ artists and storytellers to tell their stories with global audiences. The awards reflected the audience’s support for films that combine entertainment value with authentic portrayals and genuine character growth.
Performance and Dramatic Excellence
François Arnaud’s victory for TV Performance in “Heated Rivalry” acknowledged the actor’s nuanced portrayal and role in the series’ critical success. His award highlighted how individual performances within award-winning programs elevate entire narratives and produce memorable moments for audiences members. Arnaud’s recognition combined with the show’s drama honors illustrated the interconnected relationship of television achievement, where strong writing, directorial work, and acting work unite to generate transformative programming that reflects the community’s lived experiences and dreams.
“Wicked: For Good” secured dual honors that showcased its importance as a film accomplishment and cultural milestone. Cynthia Erivo’s acting award validated her celebrated performance in the adaptation, while the film’s wider acclaim established it as a landmark achievement in LGBTQ+ cinema. These consecutive wins positioned the movie as beyond mere entertainment—it stood as a tribute of creative excellence, inclusive representation, and narrative impact to inspire and uplift audiences worldwide.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| TV Drama | “Heated Rivalry” |
| TV Performance | François Arnaud (“Heated Rivalry”) |
| Drama Movie | “Wicked: For Good” |
| Film Performance | Cynthia Erivo (“Wicked: For Good”) |
| TV Comedy | “Boots” |
Music, Culture, and Emerging Talent Celebrated
Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” captured the coveted Anthem award, honoring the track’s cultural resonance and its ability to connect the LGBTQ+ community through music. The award underscored Gaga’s lasting influence as an artist who consistently develops work that resonates with queer experiences and celebrates self-expression. Beyond Gaga’s victory, the music categories spotlighted the diverse sounds influencing current queer culture, from prominent pop icons to emerging artists discovering their voices and establishing devoted audiences in the community.
The Queerties also honored breakthrough talent positioned to establish the next wave of LGBTQ+ entertainment. KATSEYE received honors as Breakout Musical Artist, while Conan Gray’s “Vodka Cranberry” won Best Music Video, demonstrating how rising artists are crafting genuine stories that resonate with younger audiences. These awards underscored the ceremony’s dedication to highlighting emerging creators alongside established stars, making sure that the community’s ceremony included both legacy artists and rising stars creating the future of queer cultural expression.
- KATSEYE recognized as Breakout Musical Artist for emerging talent
- Conan Gray’s “Vodka Cranberry” earns Best Music Video award
- Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” secures prestigious Anthem award recognition
- Emerging Artist category honors next-generation queer musicians
- Music awards celebrate varied musical styles shaping contemporary queer culture
What Makes the Queerties Unique
The Queerties Awards distinguish themselves from traditional entertainment ceremonies by amplifying the voices and votes of the LGBTQ+ community itself. Unlike industry-focused award shows where professionals and critics determine winners, the Queerties are decided by millions of community members and allies who cast their ballots for the cultural highlights, creative works, and stories that authentically matter to them. This democratic approach elevates the awards into a authentic showcase of what the community holds dear, rather than what gatekeepers consider deserving of recognition.
By emphasizing authenticity and community connection, the Queerties have established themselves as a defining cultural moment that demonstrates the evolving landscape of LGBTQ+ representation in entertainment. The ceremony honors not just commercial hits but also celebrates independent creators, up-and-coming talent, and independently created content that might otherwise be missed by larger award bodies. This inclusive philosophy ensures that diverse voices—from drag performers to podcasters to online content makers—get the same acknowledgment alongside established television and film successes, making the Queerties a authentic mirror of contemporary queer culture.
Community-Led Recognition
Scott Gatz, CEO of Q.Digital, Queerty’s parent company, emphasized the importance of this community-focused approach, stating that “these winners were selected by millions of LGBTQ+ people and allies who see themselves reflected in these stories, performances, and cultural milestones.” This direct connection between voters and winners creates a meaningful affirmation for artists and creators, knowing their work has resonated deeply with the community they serve. The Queerties thus become more than awards—they become a collective affirmation of shared values and cultural heritage.
Exceptional Honors and Enduring Awards
Beyond the competitive categories that celebrate current cultural moments, the 14th annual Queerties Awards reserved special recognition for artists whose contributions have profoundly influenced LGBTQ+ representation and advocacy. Margaret Cho was awarded the Icon Award, honoring her decades-long career breaking barriers in comedy and entertainment while serving as an unwavering ally to the community. Megan Stalter earned the Vanguard Award for her bold, innovative work that pushes creative boundaries, while Mae Martin was recognized with the Groundbreaker Award for pioneering contributions in queer storytelling and cultural discourse. These special honors acknowledge that the Queerties celebrate not just present-day achievements but also the trailblazers whose legacies continue to inspire new generations.
The inclusion of legacy awards combined with contemporary categories reinforces the Queerties’ commitment to recognizing the full spectrum of queer cultural achievement. By acknowledging both new talent and established icons, the ceremony builds a unbroken thread that demonstrates how advancement occurs across generations. These distinguished recipients act as sources of guidance for the coming generation of creators, reminding audiences that lasting cultural change comes from ongoing dedication, courage, and a determination to push back against the status quo. Their acknowledgment at the Queerties highlights the community’s gratitude for those who have blazed a trail.