Critics Choice LGBTQ Awards 2026 Honor 'Heated Rivalry' and 'Stranger Things' The Critics Choice Association has unveiled the winners of its annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television, with several high-profile shows and performers recognized for their contributions to the genre. The third edition of the event, set to take place on May 29 in Los Angeles, celebrates achievements across the LGBTQ+ entertainment community, highlighting the work of creators, actors, and writers behind some of the year’s most acclaimed projects. Among the standout honorees are HBO Max’s gay hockey drama Heated Rivalry and Netflix’s sci-fi series Stranger Things, both of which have been acknowledged for their cultural impact and storytelling. The ceremony will honor Jacob Tierney, the writer and director of Heated Rivalry, with the Showrunner Award. Tierney’s work on the show, which explores themes of identity and rivalry within a queer hockey team, has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of LGBTQ+ experiences. Meanwhile, Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp, known for his role as Will Byers, will receive the Breakthrough Performance Award. Schnapp’s portrayal of coming out in the 1980s as a young adult in the final season of the series has been highlighted as a pivotal moment in the show’s narrative, offering a compelling exploration of adolescence and self-discovery. Other notable winners include Hannah Einbinder, who stars in the HBO Max comedy Hacks. Einbinder will be recognized with the Performance Award for a Comedy Series for her role as Ava, a queer comedy writer navigating the challenges of the industry. The Critics Choice Association noted that her performance brings an “authentic queer perspective” to the screen, blending humor with emotional depth.#stranger_things #heated_rivalry #jacob_tierney #critics_choice_association #noah_schnapp
Critics Choice Association's 3rd Annual LGBTQ+ Celebration Honors Emmy Winners and Industry Leaders The Critics Choice Association (CCA) announced the lineup for its third annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television, set to take place in Los Angeles on May 29. The event will feature a star-studded roster of Emmy-winning actors, writers, directors, and producers, including Jane Lynch, Dan Levy, Hannah Einbinder, Paula Pell, and Jacob Tierney, the creator of the critically acclaimed series Heated Rivalry. The celebration aims to recognize the achievements of LGBTQ+ talent across film and television while spotlighting the impact of their work on the industry. The CCA emphasized the importance of LGBTQ+ representation, with CEO Joey Berlin stating, “LGBTQ+ representation continues to matter, now more than ever.” Co-programmer Andrew Freund added, “Being part of this community means celebrating who we are, how far we’ve come, and acknowledging our collective resilience. This year’s honorees are extraordinary—bold, brilliant, and wonderfully unapologetic. They do more than inspire; they light the path forward.” The event will honor a diverse group of individuals for their contributions to LGBTQ+ storytelling and visibility. Jane Lynch, an Emmy-winning actor, comedian, and author, will receive the Groundbreaker Award for her body of work, including her role as host of Celebrity Weakest Link and her long-standing advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Lynch’s career has consistently brought humor and meaningful visibility to LGBTQ+ issues, as noted by the CCA. Dan Levy, an Emmy-winning actor, writer, director, and producer, will be honored with the Vanguard Award for his work on Big Mistakes, a Netflix series premiering on April 28.#los_angeles #dan_levy #critics_choice_association #jane_lynch #hannah_einbinder
