The GLAAD Media Awards have once again spotlighted the entertainment industry’s commitment to LGBTQ representation, and this time around, The Walt Disney Company is leading the pack. With an impressive 30 nominations across its various platforms for the 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, Disney has outpaced every other network, outlet, and streaming service in this year’s honors.
GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, recognizes outstanding fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues across film, television, gaming, music, podcasting, journalism, and Spanish-language media. The annual awards ceremony remains one of the most important events on the entertainment calendar for celebrating authentic storytelling and diverse narratives.
Disney’s Dominance Across Platforms
The Walt Disney Company’s 30 nominations were distributed across seven different platforms, demonstrating the breadth of LGBTQ-inclusive programming throughout the Disney ecosystem:
- ABC: 10 nominations
- Hulu: 11 nominations
- Disney+: 5 nominations
- Disney Jr.: 2 nominations
- Disney Channel: 1 nomination
- Freeform: 1 nomination
- National Geographic: 1 nomination
Hulu emerged as Disney’s strongest contender, leading with 11 nominations, followed closely by ABC with 10. This distribution reflects a company-wide commitment to inclusive storytelling that spans broadcast television, streaming, cable, and even educational children’s content.
Comedy and Drama Highlights
Outstanding Comedy Series
Two of Disney’s flagship comedies earned recognition in the Outstanding Comedy Series category. The beloved Abbott Elementary, which has become a cultural phenomenon on ABC, continues to resonate with audiences for its sharp wit and authentic character portrayals. Joining it is Big Boys on Hulu, a charming British comedy that has won over critics and viewers alike with its heartfelt exploration of identity and friendship.
Outstanding Drama Series
In the drama category, Doctor Who on Disney+ earned a nomination, continuing the iconic franchise’s tradition of progressive storytelling. The show’s modern incarnation has been celebrated for introducing groundbreaking LGBTQ characters and storylines that resonate with global audiences.
Reality Competition and New Series Buzz
Disney’s strength in unscripted programming was evident with multiple nominations in the Outstanding Reality Competition Program category:
- Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
- Project Runway (Freeform)
- I Kissed a Boy (Hulu)
- I Kissed a Girl (Hulu)
The Hulu original series I Kissed a Boy and I Kissed a Girl represent a fresh wave of dating programming that centers queer experiences, while Dancing with the Stars continues its legacy of featuring diverse contestants and LGBTQ storylines.
For Outstanding New TV Series, two Hulu originals received nominations: Chad Powers, starring Glen Powell in a wildly entertaining premise, and Mid-Century Modern, a sitcom that brings together a beloved creative team for a new generation of comedy.
Limited Series and Documentary Recognition
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu earned recognition in this category. The series, which features complex characters navigating personal transformation, has been praised for its inclusive ensemble and bold narrative choices.
Outstanding Documentary
National Geographic’s Sally, a documentary exploring the remarkable life of astronaut Sally Ride, including her private journey as a LGBTQ pioneer, received a nomination. The film highlights how Ride’s legacy extends far beyond her groundbreaking space missions to include her impact on visibility for queer people in science and beyond.
Children and Family Programming Excellence
Disney’s commitment to LGBTQ inclusion in media extends to its youngest audiences, with notable nominations in children’s programming categories.
In the Outstanding Children’s Programming category, Firebuds on Disney Jr. and Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures on Disney Jr. and Disney+ both earned recognition for featuring diverse characters and inclusive storytelling appropriate for young viewers.
For Outstanding Kids & Family Programming – Live Action, Disney received nominations for Goosebumps: The Vanishing (Disney+/Hulu) and Washington Black (Hulu), both of which incorporate LGBTQ themes into their narratives.
In the animated category, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder on Disney+ continues the legacy of one of animation’s most celebrated inclusive series. Joining it are Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur on Disney Channel and The Bravest Knight on Hulu, each bringing diverse representation to animated storytelling.
Talk Shows and Journalism Excellence
Disney’s talk show and journalism divisions also made significant contributions to the nominations list.
Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! earned recognition for an episode featuring Alan Cumming discussing attacks against the trans community and promoting kindness in America
- The View was nominated for an episode featuring Laverne Cox and George Wallace in Norman Lear’s final show, Clean Slate
Outstanding TV Journalism – Long-Form
Four nominations went to Disney outlets in this category:
- ‘HIV Unwrapped’ on +Life (Hulu/ABC Localish)
- Late to the Party: Coming Out Later in Life (ABC)
- Pride 2025 – Rise Up: Pride in Protest (ABC 7 New York)
- Living Proof (Hulu)
Outstanding TV Journalism – Segment or Special
Three additional nominations recognized journalism segments:
- A piece on the final ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles for AIDS/LifeCycle, highlighting the ongoing fight to end HIV/AIDS (ABC 7 San Francisco)
- High Stakes at the Supreme Court: Conversion Therapy on ABC News Live
- A segment on an LGBTQ-inclusive mass held in Rome on Good Morning America
The Importance of These Recognitions
GLAAD’s mission to “accelerate acceptance and understanding for LGBTQ people through visibility in media” is more vital than ever. Research consistently shows that representation in media has a profound impact on how society perceives and treats LGBTQ individuals. When major corporations like The Walt Disney Company invest in authentic storytelling across genres and platforms, it sends a powerful message about the importance of diverse voices.
Disney’s leadership in nominations reflects a strategic commitment to LGBTQ representation that spans comedy, drama, reality programming, documentary filmmaking, children’s content, and journalism. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that LGBTQ audiences of all ages and backgrounds can see themselves reflected on screen.
Looking Ahead to the Ceremony
The 37th GLAAD Media Awards ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, March 5, in Los Angeles. The annual event brings together celebrities, activists, and media professionals to celebrate the year’s most impactful LGBTQ representation while also honoring those who have made significant contributions to the community through their work and advocacy.
For Disney, the 30 nominations represent not just industry recognition but also validation of years of effort to expand LGBTQ representation across its many brands and platforms. As streaming services continue to compete for viewers and broadcast networks face evolving audience expectations, this kind of inclusive programming has become both a creative and business imperative.
Conclusion
The Walt Disney Company’s leading position in this year’s GLAAD Media Awards nominations underscores a meaningful shift in how major entertainment companies approach LGBTQ storytelling. With 30 nominations spanning comedy, drama, reality television, documentary, children’s programming, and journalism, Disney has demonstrated that authentic LGBTQ representation can thrive across virtually every genre and platform. As the ceremony approaches, all eyes will be on Los Angeles to see which of these nominated programs and episodes take home the prestigious awards. Regardless of the outcomes, Disney’s nominations themselves represent a victory for LGBTQ media representation and signal a future where inclusive storytelling is not the exception but the expectation in mainstream entertainment.