Last week, GLAAD announced the nominees for the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, which highlight outstanding LGBTQ stories in media, including the kids and family space.
In 2018, GLAAD made history by co-hosting the first LGBTQ panel at the Kidscreen Summit. This year, GLAAD’s Senior Director of Entertainment Research & Analysis Megan Townsend is returning to Kidscreen, after being a panelist and awards judge in 2024. GLAAD’s presence at Kidscreen enhances discussion of burgeoning LGBTQ inclusion in media for all ages and calls into focus the critical need for inclusive kids and family programming. The 2025 Kidscreen Summit is from February 9 to 12 in San Diego.
Also in 2018, GLAAD introduced the inaugural GLAAD Media Award for Kids and Family Programming. Over the past seven years, this has expanded even further into the current three categories. These categories and the stories within them could not come at a more important time. As anti-LGBTQ legislation aimed at queer youth continues to be introduced at unprecedented rates, the overwhelming majority (90%) of LGBTQ young people report that their well-being has been negatively impacted due to recent politics. Authentic portrayals of LGBTQ people in media undoubtedly shape our culture and accelerate acceptance. Now, more than ever, LGBTQ kids and their families deserve to see their experiences reflected in affirming and compelling narratives.
Find out more about the incredible Kids and Family GLAAD Media Award nominees below!
Outstanding Children’s Programming
Many of this year’s nominees in the “Outstanding Children’s Programming” category emphasize a wide variety of supportive LGBTQ family structures. Disney Jr.’s Firebuds features Violet and her two moms, who are shown connecting with Violet’s birth mother, as well as Axl and his two dads. In the Sesame Street episode “Our Musical Family,” Mia writes a powerful musical about growing up in a family with two fathers from different cultures. Additionally, Disney’s Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures showcases Nash Durango’s mothers, Ceeli and Kryys, voiced by Hayden Bishop and Chris Nee. In the Princess Power episode “Princess Royal Wedding,” Rita and her new little sister Omera plan a wedding for their moms, Queen Ryung and Queen Olivia. King Barton and Sir Benedict also attend the wedding, which honors Ryung’s Indian heritage. The Canadian series Let’s Go Bananas also features Daddy and Papa Banana, voiced by Kareem Vaude and Jonathan Tan, who raise their daughter Apple together. One episode includes the couple’s proposal and wedding, which Apple helps plan. In Vida the Vet, lead Vida’s fathers happily support their daughter’s wildest adventures. Finally, in the Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City episode “Aunt Praline’s Sweetie Pie,” Strawberry Shortcake’s Aunt goes on a first date with a woman named Kiki Keylime. In response, Strawberry models acceptance and enthusiasm, showing the audience that all love is worthy of celebration.
Other nominees grant LGBTQ youth the autonomy to explore their gender identity. Nickelodeon’s The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish introduces Winn Harper, lead character Hazel’s confident, popular, and laidback nonbinary friend, portrayed by actor iris menas. Winn’s gender identity is never a point of contention in the rebooted series, emphasizing the importance of casual inclusion and acceptance. In the Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock episode “I’m Pogey,” Pogey is also revealed to be nonbinary, inspiring Wembley to have the courage to experiment freely with his self-expression and presentation. Last but certainly not least, Nickelodeon’s Monster High continues to expand on the romance between nonbinary student Frankie (iris menas) and their girlfriend Cleo.
Outstanding Kids & Family Programming or Film – Live Action
In the “Outstanding Kids & Family Programming or Film – Live Action” category, several programs depicted nuanced representations of LGBTQ teens across an expansive array of identities. Netflix’s hit Heartstopper continues to explore its central romance between Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor), while expanding on the stories of their queer friends, including trans character Elle (Yasmin Finney), nonbinary character Darcy (Kizzy Edgell), lesbian character Tara (Corinna Brown), asexual character Isaac (Tobie Donovan), and more! Blue Fox Entertainment’s dramedy Empire Waist explores themes of friendship, self acceptance, and inclusion, featuring Marcy (Daisy Washington), a proud queer and disabled student. In the Beyond Black Beauty episode “If You Love Me,” Ronnie (Gina James) overcomes self-doubt and joins her girlfriend at Pride, bridging generational gaps by celebrating with her entire family. Apple TV+’s series Jane continues to feature Jane’s best friend David’s two fathers, Kevin and Lucas, an interracial couple who also raise a young Black daughter, Millie. In addition, The Really Loud House episode “Louds in Love,” sees girlfriends Luna and Sam express their love through song on Valentine’s Day. 
Outstanding Kids & Family Programming or Film – Animated
The “Outstanding Kids & Family Programming or Film – Animated” category features loving queer relationships amongst teens and adults alike. Sequel series Jurassic World: Chaos Theory expands on the relationship between Camp Cretaceous fan-favorite couple Yaz Fadoula (Kausar Mohammed) and Sammy Gutierrez (Raini Rodriguez). In Nickelodeon’s The Loud House, Luna and Sam, otherwise known as “Saluna,” are now officially girlfriends. Additionally, in the Hailey’s On It! episode “I Wanna Dance with My Buddy,” queer couples Becker and Kennedy and Jonathan and Thad attend a school dance. Finally, the Monsters at Work episode “Powerless” shows Katherine “Cutter” Sterns getting back together with her girlfriend Sunny, becoming the first LGBTQ couple in the Monsters, Inc franchise. 
Other nominees include captivating transgender and nonbinary characters. Netflix’s The Dragon Prince continues to feature the trans character Terry, voiced by Benjamin Callins, who possesses a deep sense of justice and compassion. Additionally, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur expands on the stories of lead Lunella’s friends, including trans character Brooklyn, voiced by Indya Moore, and trans nonbinary character Tai, voiced by Ian Alexander. 
Finally, the category highlights a bevy of queer families. In The Bravest Knight, gay lead Sir Cedric (T.R. Knight) and his husband Prince Andrew (Wilson Cruz) tell the story of how Credric became the “greatest knight” to their 10-year-old daughter, Nia. The adventure horror series Fright Krewe highlights lead Soleil’s two loving moms, Judith and Judy Le Claire. Additionally, the Primos episode “Summer of Heart Eyes” includes the bisexual eldest cousin in a Mexican-American family, Lita Perez, falling for nonbinary musician and skateboarder Alex (Blu del Barrio). In Kiff’s special Halloween episode “The Haunting of Miss McGravy’s House,” Kiff’s friends work with a pair of gay ghosts in an attempt to scare off another gay couple from buying a house.
Over the past seven years, the stories told in GLAAD Media Award nominated kids and family programs have illuminated the immense power of storytelling. Today, these narratives could not be more vital to the safety and well-being of LGBTQ youth and their families.
The 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards nominees were published, released, or broadcast between January 1 and December 31, 2024. The GLAAD Media Awards ceremony, which fund GLAAD’s work to accelerate LGBTQ acceptance, will take place in Los Angeles on March 27, 2025. You can keep up with the latest developments by following GLAAD on BlueSky, Instagram, and Facebook.
More information about GLAAD’s work and research in the Kids & Family Programming space can be found in GLAAD’s 2023-2024 Where We Are On TV Report.