One could argue that media tells the story of a culture, which is one of the reasons why it is so important for LGBTQ+ people to be included in the stories that appear in all forms of entertainment media as well as journalism. Not only do we feel seen, but it helps our families and friends know us better. If, that is, the stories are told well.
It’s a pleasure to share with you some very well-told stories: the nominees for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Award in Spanish-Language scripted series and digital and multimedia journalism, as well as a special recognition. This list includes Spanish-Language nominees, but also of note are nominated English language shows like Gentefied, Love, Victor, Pose and Saved by the Bell, which include Latinx LGBTQ+ characters, and films like Tu Me Manques and Parallel Mothers, Spanish-language projects also nominated this year.
Please add them to your must-watch list and enjoy! And then share on social media and with friends, so that we can contribute to the success of series and films, networks and journalists who are telling our stories.
Scripted Series
This year, five scripted series were nominated. All were excellent and two centered transgender women: Pequeñas Victorias (Prime Video) and Todo lo Otro (HBO Max).
#Luimelia (Atresplayer Premium) Created by Borja González Santaolalla, Diana Rojo & Camino Sánchez, this charming Spanish comedy centers the lives of, and love between, Luisita and Amelia.
Manual Para Galanes (Pantaya) This sweet ensemble comedy from Mexico includes a protagonist, Mariana (Litzy), the best friend of the main character and a lesbian.
Maricón Perdido or Queer I Am (HBO Max) Created by Bob Pop, this a funny and often heartbreaking series from the point of view of a now successful creative as he recalls surviving his childhood and coming of age in 1980s Spain.
Pequeñas Victorias or Because Victoria (Prime Video) Created by Daniel Burman & Erika Halvorsen, this Argentine series about four women co-parenting a little girl named Victoria, includes a trans mom, Emma Uriburu (Mariana Genesio Peña).
Todo lo Otro (Dafne and the Rest) (HBO Max) This smart comedy is about a group of friends in modern-day Spain. Creator Abríl Zamora, a woman of trans experience, writes, directs and stars.
Television Journalism
Many excellent journalism pieces appeared on U.S. Spanish-language networks like Univision, Telemundo and CNNE, a number of them in states with large LGBTQ Latinx communities, like Texas, Arizona and Illinois. These five are nominated for a GLAAD Media Award.
“Grupo Firme en Contra del Acoso,” Despierta América (Univision) In this interview, featuring the openly gay member of a very popular Mexican band, Grupo Firme, Jhonny Caz discusses coming out, the bullying he’s faced and his supportive band mates.
“Impacto Positivo: Bamby Salcedo” Primer Impacto (Univision) A profile of trans leader Bamby Salcedo whose years helping others have made her a treasured community member. The story chronicles her work at the Translatin@ Coalition and features several co-workers and community members reflecting on the importance of their work for trans migrants.
“El Mes del Orgullo” (CNN en Español) A Pride month special covering a variety of topics, including the experiences of survivors of the Pulse shooting, a story about the few lesbian bars left in the country, an interview about the barriers trans people face in Puerto Rico, and a look at LGBTQ people in politics,among others.
“Orgullo LGBTQ: 52 Años de Lucha y Evolución” (Telemundo 47) A five-part Pride month series that includes a wide array of guests and experts. Subjects include the history of the LGBTQ rights movement, representation in politics, the importance of safe and accepting home lives, legal victories, and a look at LGBTQ people in the arts with a particular emphasis on artists in NYC’s ballroom scene.
“Preocupa Exclusión de Niñas Trans en Equipos Femeninos” Hoy Día (Telemundo) A piece focused on harmful legislation targeting trans youth in sports. Utilizes voice-over, interviews and a short panel among the hosts at the end to educate on a topic— the well-being of trans kids— that’s far too often reduced to a “both sides issue.”
Digital Journalism
The growth of digital media publications over the last two decades has expanded opportunities for journalists and writers to reach global audiences — and to tell complex stories that have historically been ignored, marginalized, or oversimplified. Given the breadth of publications and writers available to readers online, we’ve chosen ten outstanding nominees in this category that represent some of the most exceptional and timely stories impacting the LGBTQ+ community.
“Anacaona Reyes: visibiliza a la comunidad trans y educa desde el Capitolio” by Maricarmen Rivera (El Vocero) An interesting profile of Anacona Reyes, the first openly trans Puerto Rican to work in the island’s capitol building.
“Ana Macho: sobre hacer música que rebasa límites” by Ronald Avila (El Nuevo Día) A profile of Ana Macho, a non-binary artist working in music genres typically dominated by strong gender binary and masculine perspectives. Embeds photos, music videos, and dives deep into what makes Ana Macho’s artistic perspective so unique among their peers.
“Ángel Cruz aprendió a “desaprender” los credos sociales” by José Karlo Pagán Negrón (Primera Hora) A profile focused on a non-binary musical artist in Puerto Rico that touches thoughtfully, and very personally, on topics like racism, queer/trans-phobia, and the cultural reinforcement of gender binaries in Puerto Rico.
“Así viven la menstruación los hombres trans” by Miriam Martínez (Vice) A piece exploring the discrimination, biases and gatekeeping trans men face when dealing with menstruation. Centers the perspectives of several individuals while providing information that contextualizes their experience in health & medicine.
“Casa Frida rescata a pareja gay de homofobia en Jamaica” by Edgar Ulises (Homosensual) Details how Casa Frida helped a queer Jamaican couple flee violence and threats in their home country — only to be turned away and denied the right to seek asylum in Mexico and have Casa Frida help them try again. Highlights the uphill climb LGBTQ+ asylum-seekers face and the tireless work immigration advocates are engaged in to make sure their countries honor the dire circumstances faced by many people fleeing persecution.
“Claudia: la enfermera trans que lucha contra el covid en Ciudad Juárez” by Louisa Reynolds (Nexos) A moving piece centered on Claudia García, a trans woman and nurse working in Ciudad Juárez. The story includes her struggles in the field, contextualizes the impact of COVID-19 on nurses, and features some touching memories from Claudia about feeling affirmed and supported by her mother Luz at a young age. A deeply personal story that touches on very universal and timely themes.
“En casa con Kany García y Jocelyn Trochez” by Carole Joseph (People en Español) A cover story featuring Puerto Rican singer Kany García and her wife Jocelyn. A really lovely, personal and humanizing profile in a publication with a wide reach among Spanish speakers.
“Oyuki, la madre trans de seis hijos que rompe prejuicios en México” by Eduard Ribas i Admetlla (Agencia EFE) A thoughtfully written profile on Oyuki — a trans woman who cares for her six children in a small but loving home just outside Mexico City. Manages to contextualize Oyuki’s story within a larger struggle by mentioning relevant data & laws without feeling clinical.
“Somos invisibles”: la discriminación y los riesgos se multiplican para los indígenas LGBTQ+” by Albinson Linares (Telemundo) An extensive story about indigenous LGBTQ people featuring research into hate crimes and violence, the reverberating impacts of colonialism and changing views on gender roles. An ambitious story centering an often marginalized community.
“Una vida transgénero: ‘Es momento de que nos dejemos ver’” by Marcos Billy Guzman (El Nuevo Día) A multimedia interview with activist Kimberly Vázquez Arciliares, a performer, makeup artist and dancer in Puerto Rico. The interview, which took place during a rise in violence toward trans people in PR, weaves data, and the broader struggles trans Puerto Ricans face, through Kimberly’s personal narrative.
Video or Multimedia Journalism
This category highlights videos and multimedia projects that combine compelling visuals and exceptional writing to center LGBTQ+ voices. Through thoughtful storytelling, intimate interviews and immersive footage, these projects bring to life stories that reflect the diversity and complexity of the world we live in — while painting a more comprehensive and intersectional picture of what life looks like for LGBTQ+ communities across Latin America.
“Alexa: su vida y la justicia que no llega a un año de su asesinato” (El Nuevo Día) By Marcos Billy Guzmán (Producer), Adlín González (Editor) A piece focused on Alexa Negrón Luciano— a trans Puerto Rican woman without housing who was murdered in February of 2020 after her photo was posted online — recounting how her highly publicized death after an act of transphobic violence became a tipping point in calling attention to the injustices trans communities face in Puerto Rico. One year later, the creators of this video check in with activists and allies to examine how the Puerto Rican government, and the media, have failed the archipelago’s trans community — as well as what work can be done to change that.
“Expulsados México: Cómo la comunidad transgénero se unió para ayudar a los migrantes” (Univision Noticias) By: Patricia Clarembaux, Anna Clare Spelman, Celemente Sánchez (producers) A moving and timely piece on a shelter run by trans immigrants that initially started out as a refuge for other LGBTQ+ people fleeing violence — but soon welcomed immigrants of all identities harmed by the U.S. “remain in Mexico” policy with no safe place to go. A moving story of solidarity among communities that illustrates how policy impacts people.
“Marcha del Orgullo LGBTI: Día de festejo, pero también de protesta” (La Jornada) By: Jair Cabrera Torres (Videographer and Editor) A short but impactful video on the spirit of protest and activism surrounding Mexico City’s Pride march narrated and framed by a trans woman named Ana Scarlett Vargas discussing the state of LGBTQIA rights in Mexico, the discrimination faced by trans sex workers and why she shows up for Pride.
“Ser mujer, ser trans y ser mapuche” (AJ+ Español) By: Natalia Barrera Francis (Host), Paula Daibert (Sr. Producer) & Claudia Escobar (Script & Story Producer) A beautifully shot video interviewing trans Mapuche people — a community indigenous to Chile and parts of Argentina. The video includes interviews, as well as historically contextualizing gender-based violence and its link to colonialism. A thoughtful and fresh perspective featuring underrepresented voices.
“Vogue en el Paro Nacional y Transmilenio: ¿Qué hay detrás? | La Disidencia” (El Espectador) By: Jahira Quintero (Host), Laura Salomón & Dani Jara (Videographers & Editors) Documents voguing as a form of artistic protest during Colombia’s Paro Nacional and the impact the NYC-based ballroom scene has had on queer and trans communities in the country. Includes footage from protests and interviews with activists about the history of ballroom, with trans Afro-Colombian host Jahira Quintero (one of three regular hosts on the vertical) helping frame and guide the story.
Special Recognition
Recognizing a series of PSAs, “Celebrando el Mes del Orgullo,” created by Telemundo, that shone a bright light on the importance of family support in the lives of LGBTQ+ people.