Disney has once again asserted its dominance in championing diverse storytelling, earning an impressive 30 nods across the GLAAD Media Awards nominations for the organization’s 37th annual ceremony. This milestone reinforces The Walt Disney Company’s position as the most recognized network, outlet, or platform in this year’s lineup,a testament to the brand’s ongoing investment in meaningful LGBTQ media representation.
Disney’s Record-Breaking Year in LGBTQ Media Recognition
For decades, GLAAD,the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization,has used its annual awards program to celebrate fair, accurate, and inclusive portrayals of LGBTQ people and issues. This year’s glaad media awards nominations highlight how far the entertainment industry has come in amplifying queer voices, and Disney stands at the forefront of that progress.
The company’s 30 nominations span a remarkable variety of platforms, including ABC, Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney Jr., Freeform, Hulu, and National Geographic. This breadth demonstrates that Disney’s commitment to LGBTQ visibility in media isn’t limited to a single brand or demographic,it touches nearly every corner of its entertainment ecosystem.
Breaking Down Disney’s 30 Nominations by Platform
- ABC: 10 nominations
- Hulu: 11 nominations
- Disney+: 5 nominations
- Disney Jr.: 2 nominations
- Disney Channel: 1 nomination
- Freeform: 1 nomination
- National Geographic: 1 nomination
From heartfelt comedies and prestige dramas to groundbreaking children’s programming, the nominations showcase Disney’s holistic approach to inclusive storytelling.
Comedy and Drama Series: Fan Favorites Take Center Stage
In the Outstanding Comedy Series category, two beloved Disney properties earned recognition. “Abbott Elementary,” the ABC sensation that has captured audiences with its sharp wit and warmth, secured a nomination alongside Hulu’s charming British import “Big Boys.” These comedies exemplify how humor can be a powerful vehicle for queer representation and authentic character development.
Meanwhile, the Outstanding Drama Series category featured “Doctor Who,” streaming on Disney+. The long-running sci-fi franchise has historically been celebrated for its inclusive storytelling, and its inclusion in this year’s GLAAD Media Awards nominations continues that proud tradition.
Reality Competition and New Series: Bold New Voices
The reality television landscape received robust recognition from Disney, with three different platforms earning nods 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)
Notably, Hulu’s “I Kissed a Boy” and “I Kissed a Girl” represent relatively new formats,dating shows centered on queer connections,that are pushing boundaries and reaching audiences hungry for authentic representation.
Disney also scored in the Outstanding New TV Series category with two Hulu originals: “Chad Powers” and “Mid-Century Modern.” These fresh entries into the cultural conversation reflect Disney’s commitment to nurturing new narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
Limited Series, Documentaries, and Family Programming
Anthology and Limited Series
Hulu’s “Nine Perfect Strangers” earned recognition in the Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series category, adding to the platform’s growing portfolio of prestige content that explores complex human experiences.
Outstanding Documentary
National Geographic’s “Sally” brought a poignant documentary entry to the nominations. The film celebrates trailblazing figures and contributes to the broader conversation about LGBTQ history and visibility.
Children’s and Kids & Family Programming
One of the most encouraging aspects of Disney’s glaad media awards nominations is the company’s emphasis on inclusive content for younger audiences. In the Outstanding Children’s Programming category, two Disney Jr. titles earned recognition:
- “Firebuds” (Disney Jr.)
- “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” (Disney Jr./Disney+)
The Outstanding Kids & Family Programming – Live Action category featured “Goosebumps: The Vanishing” (Disney+/Hulu) and “‘Selamiut’ Washington Black” (Hulu), while the Outstanding Kids & Family Programming – Animated category recognized “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” (Disney+), “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” (Disney Channel), and “The Bravest Knight” (Hulu).
The inclusion of “The Bravest Knight” is particularly noteworthy,this Hulu animated series centers on a gay protagonist and has been a groundbreaking title in family-friendly queer representation, proving that inclusive storytelling can begin in childhood.
Talk Shows and TV Journalism: Shining a Spotlight on Important Stories
Disney’s morning and late-night programming also earned significant recognition in the Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode category, with two ABC entries:
- “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” , featuring Alan Cumming’s guest hosting appearance addressing attacks against the trans community
- “The View” , highlighting Laverne Cox and George Wallace in Norman Lear’s final show, “Clean Slate”
Both episodes demonstrate how mainstream talk shows can serve as platforms for critical conversations about transgender rights and LGBTQ advocacy.
Outstanding TV Journalism
Perhaps the most powerful category in this year’s GLAAD Media Awards nominations is the TV journalism recognition, where Disney earned multiple accolades across long-form and segment categories:
Long-Form TV Journalism nominations:
- “HIV Unwrapped” (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)
TV Journalism Segment or Special nominations:
- “Final ride from SF to LA for AIDS/LifeCycle, but the fight to end HIV/AIDS continues” (ABC 7 San Francisco)
- “High Stakes at the Supreme Court: Conversion Therapy” , ABC News Live (ABC)
- “LGBTQ-inclusive mass held in Rome” , Good Morning America (ABC)
These journalistic nominations highlight how Disney’s news divisions use their platforms to educate audiences about pressing LGBTQ issues, from HIV/AIDS awareness to conversion therapy’s dangers to international inclusivity efforts.
The Significance of Award Season Recognition
The sheer volume of Disney’s glaad media awards nominations carries profound cultural weight. Award recognition often shapes industry behavior, encouraging networks to invest in projects that reflect the true diversity of their audiences. When viewers see their identities authentically portrayed on screen,whether through a child watching “The Bravest Knight” or an adult engaging with a hard-hitting journalism piece,it validates their experiences and signals belonging.
Disney’s cross-platform dominance in these nominations sends a clear message: inclusive storytelling isn’t a niche category but a mainstream priority. The company’s ability to earn recognition across broadcast television, streaming platforms, children’s programming, prestige dramas, reality competitions, and hard journalism demonstrates a comprehensive strategy that other media conglomerates would do well to emulate.
What’s Next: The 37th GLAAD Media Awards Ceremony
The 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 5. While the nomination announcement generates buzz, the ceremony itself will bring together creators, advocates, talent, and allies to celebrate the year’s most impactful LGBTQ-inclusive work.
For Disney, the upcoming ceremony represents an opportunity to be recognized not just for volume but for quality,proving that inclusive content can also be commercially successful, critically acclaimed, and culturally resonant. With beloved titles like “Abbott Elementary” and “Dancing with the Stars” alongside more niche but culturally vital projects like “The Bravest Knight,” Disney has assembled a slate that speaks to virtually every demographic.
Conclusion: A Milestone Moment for LGBTQ Representation
Disney’s leading position in this year’s glaad media awards nominations represents far more than a corporate trophy count. It reflects a strategic, sustained commitment to LGBTQ visibility in media,one that spans children’s cartoons, primetime comedies, hard-hitting journalism, and everything in between. With 30 nominations across seven platforms, Disney has demonstrated that authentic queer representation isn’t confined to a single genre, audience, or storytelling format.
As award season continues to unfold, the impact of these glaad media awards nominations will resonate beyond Hollywood. They’ll inspire other networks to follow suit, empower LGBTQ creators to bring their stories to larger platforms, and,most importantly,give viewers of all ages the chance to see themselves reflected in the stories they love. March 5 in Los Angeles will mark a celebration, but the real victory is already won: a more inclusive, representative, and vibrant media landscape for everyone.