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
