Vote Now In Autostraddle’s 3rd Annual Queer TV Awards
This year we’re not the only Emmy Awards ceremony cranking out the hits from home, but we remain the gayest and the most resolutely lo-fi! The actual Emmy Awards are broadcast on September 20, the year of our forgotten lord 2020, but our winners will be announced right here on this website in the general region of that date.
We created the Gay Emmys two years ago to celebrate the breadth and depth and delight of queer content available to all of us now and also to shine our own light upon shows that are often overlooked by the Academy, who tend to prefer White Men, Prestige HBO Dramas About Rich People and Male Antiheroes. Although I did enjoy Succession, I also think its important to talk about how great Bette Porter’s hair is.
To choose our nominees, we abided by official Emmys rules for timing.That means shows must have occurred between June 2019 and May 2020 (otherwise known as Summer 2019, Fall 2019, and Winter/Spring 2020). The majority of the show’s episodes must have aired within that time period.
Here is your official ballot!
Voting ends on Monday, September 14th and winners will be announced on Friday, September 18!
Outstanding Drama Series
- The L Word: Generation Q (Showtime)
- Killing Eve (BBC)
- Riverdale (The CW)
- Euphoria (HBO)
- How to Get Away With Murder (ABC)
- Pose (FX)
- Dare Me (USA)
- The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Middle Row: Euphoria (HBO), the words “Outstanding Drama Series,” How to Get Away With Murder (ABC)
Last Row: Pose (FX), Dare Me (USA), The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Outstanding Comedy Series
- Vida (Starz)
- A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO)
- Sex Education (Netflix)
- Betty (HBO)
- One Day at a Time (Pop TV)
- Twenties (BET)
- Work in Progress (Showtime)
- Dickinson (Apple+ TV)
Middle Row: Betty (HBO), “Best Comedy Series” block, One Day at a Time (Pop TV)
Bottom Row: Twenties (BET), Work in Progress (Showtime), Dickinson (Apple+ TV)
Outstanding Sci-Fi / Fantasy Series
- Marvel’s Runaways (Hulu)
- Black Lightning (The CW)
- DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (The CW)
- Supergirl (The CW)
- Homecoming (Amazon Prime)
- Batwoman (The CW)
Bottom Row: Supergirl (The CW), Homecoming (Amazon Prime), Batwoman (The CW)
Outstanding Limited Series or TV Movie
- Mrs Fletcher (HBO)
- Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings (Netflix)
- Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)
- Ryan Murphy’s Hollywood (Netflix)
- Transparent Musicale Finale (Amazon Prime)
- Mrs. America (Hulu)
Bottom Row: Ryan Murphy’s Hollywood (Netflix), Transparent Musicale Finale (Amazon Prime), Mrs. America (Hulu)
Outstanding Lead Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character In a Drama Series
- MJ Rodriguez as Blanca, Pose (FX)
- Hunter Schafer as Jules, Euphoria (HBO)
- Annalise Keating in How to Get Away With Murder (ABC)
- Zendaya as Rue, Euphoria (HBO)
- Roseanny Zayas as Sophie Suarez, The L Word: Generation Q (Showtime)
- Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri, Killing Eve (BBC)
- Indya Moore as Angel, Pose (FX)
- Jodi Comer as Villanelle, Killing Eve (BBC)
Middle Row: Zendaya as Rue, Euphoria (HBO) // Green Box reading “Outstanding Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Drama Series” // Roseanny Zayas as Sophie Suarez, The L Word: Generation Q (Showtime)
Bottom Row: Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri, Killing Eve (BBC) // Indya Moore as Angel, Pose (FX) // Jodi Comer as Villanelle, Killing Eve (BBC)
Outstanding Supporting Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character In a Drama Series
- Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom, Riverdale (The CW)
- Dominique Jackson as Electra, Pose (FX)
- Samira Wiley as Moira, The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
- Jamie Clayton as Tess, The L Word: Generation Q (Showtime)
- Jordan Hull as Angelica, The L Word: Generation Q (Showtime)
- Amirah Vann as Tegan Price, How to Get Away With Murder (ABC)
- Angelica Ross as Candy, Pose (FX)
- Sepideh Moafi as Gigi, The L Word: Generation Q (Showtime)
Middle Row: Jamie Clayton as Tess, The L Word: Generation Q (Showtime) box reading “Outstanding Supporting Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Drama” // Jordan Hull as Angelica, The L Word: Generation Q (Showtime)
Bottom Row: Amirah Vann as Tegan Price, How to Get Away With Murder (ABC) // Angelica Ross as Candy, Pose (FX) // Sepideh Moafi as Gigi, The L Word: Generation Q (Showtime)
Outstanding Guest Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character In a Drama Series
- Daniela Vega as Ysela, Tales of the City (Netflix)
- Laurel Holloman as Tina, The L Word: Generation Q (Showtime)
- Laverne Cox as Sophia, Orange is the New Black (Netflix)
- Lauren Glazier as Kay, Mindhunter (Netflix)
- Jen Richards as Young Anna Madrigal, Tales of the City (Netflix)
- Alexis Bledel as Emily, The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Bottom Row: Lauren Glazier as Kay, Mindhunter (Netflix) // Jen Richards as Young Anna Madrigal, Tales of the City (Netflix) // Alexis Bledel as Emily, The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Outstanding Lead Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Comedy Series
- Zoe Kravitz as Rob, High Fidelity (Hulu)
- Hailee Steinfeld as Emily Dickinson, Dickinson (Apple+ TV)
- Kabrina Adams as Honeybear, Betty (HBO)
- Mishel Prada as Emma, Vida (Starz)
- Jonica T. Gibbs as Hattie, Twenties (BET)
- Mae Martin as Mae, Feel Good (Netflix)
- Isabella Gomez as Elena, One Day at a Time (Pop TV)
- Abby McEnany as Abby, Work in Progress (Showtime)
Middle Row: Mishel Prada as Emma, Vida (Starz) // Yellow Box Reading “Outstanding Lead Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Comedy Series // Jonica T. Gibbs as Hattie, Twenties
Bottom Row: Mae Martin as Mae, Feel Good (Netflix) // Isabella Gomez as Elena, One Day at a Time (Pop TV) // Abby McEnany as Abby, Work in Progress (Showtime)
Outstanding Supporting Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Comedy Series
- Theo Germaine as Chris, Work in Progress (Showtime)
- Roberta Colindrez as Nico, Vida (Starz)
- Kirby Howell-Baptise as Taylor Harding, Why Women Kill (CBS All Access)
- D’Arcy Carden as Janet, The Good Place (ABC)
- Lolly Adefpoe as Fran, Shrill (Hulu)
- Judy Reyes as Quiet Ann, Claws (TNT)
- Patricia Allison as Ola, Sex Education (Netflix)
- Ser Anzoategui as Eddy, Vida (Starz)
Middle Row: D’Arcy Carden as Janet, The Good Place (ABC) // Yellow Box // Lolly Adefpoe as Fran, Shrill (Hulu)
Bottom Row: Judy Reyes as Quiet Ann, Claws (TNT) // Patricia Allison as Ola, Sex Education (Netflix) // Ser Anzoategui as Eddy, Vida (Starz)
Outstanding Guest Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Comedy Series
- Brittani Nichols as Barbecue Daddy #1, A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO)
- Constance Zimmer as Claudia Nico, Shameless (Showtime)
- Natalie Morales as Michelle, Dead to Me (Netflix)
- Wanda Sykes as Moms Mabley, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel (Amazon Prime)
- Michelle Badillo as Sam, Vida (Starz)
- Patti Harrison as Ruthie, Shrill (Hulu)
Bottom Row: Wanda Sykes as Moms Mabley, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel (Amazon Prime) // MIchelle Badillo as Sam, Vida (Starz) // Patti Harrison as Ruthie, Shrill (Hulu)
Outstanding Lead Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Sci-Fi/Fantasy Series
- Ginny Gardner as Karolina Dean, Marvel’s Runaways (Hulu)
- Sophia Lillis as Sydney Novak, I Am Not Okay With This (Netflix)
- Lyrica Okano as Nico Minoru, Marvel’s Runaways (Hulu)
- Nafeesa Williams as Anissa, Black Lightning (The CW)
- Janelle Monae as Alex, Homecoming (Amazon Prime)
- Hong Chau as Audrey Temple, Homecoming (Amazon Prime)
- Caity Lotz as Sara Lance, Legends of Tomorrow (The CW)
- Chyler Leigh as Alex Danvers, Supergirl (The CW)
Middle Row: Nafeesa Williams as Anissa, Black Lightning (The CW) // Orange Box reading “Outstanding Lead Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Sci-Fi / Fantasy Series // Janelle Monae as Alex, Homecoming (Amazon Prime)
Bottom Row: Hong Chau as Audrey Temple, Homecoming (Amazon Prime) // Caity Lotz as Sara Lance, Legends of Tomorrow (The CW) // Chyler Leigh as Alex Danvers, Supergirl (The CW)
Outstanding Supporting Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Sci-Fi/Fantasy Series
- Chantal Thuy as Grace Choi, Black Lightning (The CW)
- Megan Tandy as Sophie Moore, Batwoman (The CW)
- Amalia Holm as Scylla Ramshorn, Motherland: Fort Salem (Freeform)
- Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Stranger Things (Netflix)
- Azie Tesfai as Kelly Olsen, Supergirl (The CW)
- Nicole Maines as Nia Nal, Supergirl (The CW)
Bottom Row: Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Stranger Things (Netflix) // Azie Tesfai as Kelly Olsen, Supergirl (The CW) // Nicole Maines as Nia Nal, Supergirl (The CW)
Outstanding Guest Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Sci-Fi/Fantasy Series
One interesting thing about this category specifically is that three of these actors look pretty much exactly the same
- Brianne Howey as Reagan, Batwoman (The CW)
- Roxy Wood as Yvette, Supergirl (The CW)
- Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine, Picard (CBS All Access)
- Riley Voelkel as Freya Mikaelson, Legacies (The CW)
- Lisa Kudrow as Maggie Naird, Space Force (Netflix)
- Christina Wolfe as Julia Pennyworth, Batwoman (The CW)
Bottom Row: Riley Voelkel as Freya Mikaelson, Legacies (The CW) // Lisa Kudrow as Maggie Naird, Space Force (Netflix) // Christina Wolfe as Julia Pennyworth, Batwoman (The CW)
Outstanding Lead Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Limited Series or TV Movie
- Kerry Washington as Mia Warren, Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)
- Judith Light as Shelli Pfefferman, Transparent Musicale Finale (Amazon Prime)
- Addison Holley as Alex Cooper, Trapped: The Alex Cooper Story (Lifetime)
- Amy Landecker as Sarah Pfefferman, Transparent Musicale Finale (Amazon Prime)
- Kathryn Hahn as Mrs Fletcher, Mrs. Fletcher (HBO)
- Gaby Hoffman as Ari Pfefferman, Transparent Musicale Finale (Amazon Prime)
Bottom Row: Amy Landecker as Sarah Pfefferman, Transparent Musicale Finale (Amazon Prime) // Kathryn Hahn as Mrs Fletcher, Mrs. Fletcher (HBO) // Gaby Hoffman as Ari Pfefferman, Transparent Musicale Finale (Amazon Prime)
Outstanding Supporting Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Limited Series or TV Movie
- Tiffany Boone, young Mia Warren, Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)
- Katie Kershaw as Amanda Olney, Mrs. Fletcher (HBO)
- Bria Henderson as Margaret Sloan, Mrs. America (Hulu)
- Ari Graynor as Brenda Feigen-Fasteau, Mrs America (Hulu)
- Tiffany Haddish as Leila, Self Made (Netflix)
- Megan Stott as Izzy Richardson, Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)
Bottom Row: Ari Graynor as Brenda Feigen-Fasteau, Mrs America (Hulu) // Tiffany Haddish as Leila, Self Made (Netflix) // Megan Stott as Izzy Richardson, Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)
Outstanding Guest Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Limited Series or TV Movie
- Paget Brewster as Tallulah Bankhead, Hollywood (Netflix)
- Roberta Colonidrez as Jules, Mrs. America (Hulu)
- Anika Noni Rose as Paula Hawthorne, Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)
- Michelle Krusiec as Anna May Wong, Hollywood (Netflix)
- Annie Parisse as Midge Costanza, Mrs America (Hulu)
- Queen Latifah as Hattie McDaniel, Hollywood (Hulu)
Bottom Row: Michelle Krusiec as Anna May Wong, Hollywood (Netflix) // Annie Parisse as Midge Costanza, Mrs America (Hulu) // Queen Latifah as Hattie McDaniel, Hollywood (Hulu)
Outstanding Performance by a Straight Actress in a Straight Role
- Justina Machado as Penelope, One Day at a Time (Netflix)
- Uzo Aduba as Shirley Chisolm, Mrs America (Hulu)
- Melissa Barrera as Lyn Hernandez, Vida (Starz)
- Issa Rae as Issa, Insecure (HBO)
- Rita Moreno as Lydia, One Day at a Time (Pop)
- Regina King as Angela Abar / Sister Night, Watchmen (HBO)
Bottom Row: Issa Rae as Issa, Insecure (HBO) // Rita Moreno as Lydia, One Day at a Time (Pop) // Regina King as Angela Abar / Sister Night, Watchmen (HBO)
Santana Lopez Memorial Award For Outstanding Queer Teen Character
- Patricia Allison as Ola, Sex Education (Netflix)
- Zendaya as Rue, Euphoria (HBO)
- Jordan Hull as Angelica, The L Word: Generation Q (Showtime)
- Hunter Schafer as Jules, Euphoria (HBO)
- Emily Tosta as Lucia Acosta, Party of Five (Freeform)
- Eris Baker as Tess Pearson, This is Us (ABC)
Bottom Row: Hunter Schafer as Jules, Euphoria (HBO) // Emily Tosta as Lucia Acosta, Party of Five (Freeform) // Eris Baker as Tess Pearson, This is Us (ABC)
Outstanding Performance by an LGBTQ+ Actor in a Drama
- Sarah Paulson as Alice McRay, Mrs. America (Hulu)
- Angelica Ross as Candy, Pose (FX)
- Jillian Mercado as Maribel, The L Word: Generation Q (Showtime)
- Rutina Wesley as Nova, Queen Sugar (OWN)
- Holland Taylor as Ellen Kincaid, Hollywood (Netflix)
- Indya Moore as Angel, Pose (FX)
- Fiona Shaw as Carolyn Martens, Killing Eve (BBC)
- Mj Rodriguez as Blanca, Pose (FX)
Middle Row: Rutina Wesley as Nova, Queen Sugar (OWN) // Orange Box reading “Outstanding Performance by an LGBTQ+ Actor in a Drama // Holland Taylor as Ellen Kincaid, Hollywood (Netflix)
Bottom Row: Indya Moore as Angel, Pose (FX) // Fiona Shaw as Carolyn Martens, Killing Eve (BBC) // Mj Rodriguez as Blanca, Pose (FX)
Outstanding Performance by an LGBTQ+ Actor in a Comedy
- Abby McEnany as Abby, Work in Progress (Showtime)
- Kate McKinnon, various characters, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
- Ashley Nicole Black, various characters, A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO)
- Mae Martin as Mae, Feel Good (Netflix)
- Gillian Anderson as Jean Milburn, Sex Education (Netflix)
- Theo Germaine as Chris, Work in Progress (Showtime)
Bottom Row: Mae Martin as Mae, Feel Good (Netflix) // Gillian Anderson as Jean Milburn, Sex Education (Netflix) // Theo Germaine as Chris, Work in Progress (Showtime)
Outstanding Performance by an LGBTQ+ Actor in a Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show
- Chyler Leigh as Alex Danvers, Supergirl (The CW)
- Jamie Clayton as Charlie, Roswell New Mexico (The CW)
- Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Charlie, Legends of Tomorrow (The CW)
- Ariela Barer as Gert, Marvel’s Runaways (Hulu)
- Janelle Monae as Alex, Homecoming (Amazon)
- Ruby Rose as Batwoman, Batwoman (The CW)
Bottom Row: Ariela Barer as Gert, Marvel’s Runaways (Hulu) // Janelle Monae as Alex, Homecoming (Amazon) // Ruby Rose as Batwoman, Batwoman (The CW)
Outstanding LGBTQ+ Director / Producer / Writer / Showrunner
- Lynn Shelton, Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)
- Lena Waithe, Twenties (BET)
- Janet Mock, Pose (FX)
- Liz Feldman, Dead To Me (Netflix)
- Liz Tigelaar, Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)
- Katja Blichfeld, High Maintenance (HBO)
- Abby McEnany, Work in Progress (Showtime)
- Tanya Sarracho, Vida (Starz)
Middle Row: Liz Feldman, Dead To Me (Netflix) // Lisa Tigelaar, Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)
Bottom Row: Katja Blichfeld, High Maintenance (HBO) // Abby McEnany, Work in Progress (Showtime) // Tanya Sarracho, Vida (Starz)
Outstanding Cis Male Character
- Ben Sinclair as The Guy, High Maintenance (HBO)
- Leland B. Martin as Ari Thomas, Boomerang (BET)
- Ncuti Gatwa as Eric, Sex Education (Netflix)
- Billy Porter as Pray Tell, Pose (FX)
- Jeremy Pope as Archie, Hollywood (Netflix)
- Dan Levy as David Rose, Schitt’s Creek (Pop)
- Nicholas Ashe as Micah West, Queen Sugar (OWN)
- Andre Braugher as Captain Holt, Brooklyn 99 (TBS)
Middle Row: Billy Porter as Pray Tell, Pose (FX) // Jeremy Pope as Archie, Hollywood (Netflix)
Bottom Row: Dan Levy as David Rose, Schitt’s Creek (Pop) // Nicholas Ashe as Micah West, Queen Sugar (OWN) // Andre Braugher as Captain Holt, Brooklyn 99 (TBS)
Outstanding TV Documentary with LGBTQ+ Themes / People
Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen came out too late to be included in this or we would’ve!
- Visible Out on TV (Apple+)
- AKA Jane Roe: The Real Woman Behind Roe v. Wade (Hulu)
- Shakedown (Pornhub)
- A Secret Love (Netflix)
- Circus of Books (Netflix)
- Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness (Netflix)
Bottom Row: A Secret Love (Netflix) // Circus of Books (Netflix) // Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness (Netflix)
Outstanding Animated Series
- Bojack Horseman (Netflix)
- The Owl House (Disney)
- Steven Universe: Future (Cartoon Network)
- Harley Quinn (DC Universe)
- She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (Netflix)
- Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts (Netflix)
Bottom Row: Harley Quinn (DC Universe), She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (Netflix), Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts (Neflix)
Best TV Episode With LGBTQ+ Themes
Pose S2E9 “Life’s a Beach” // A Black Lady Sketch Show S1E1 “Angela Bassett’s The Baddest Bitch” // Euphoria S1E4 “Shook Ones Part II” // Little Fires Everywhere S1E6 “The Uncanny” // The L Word Generation Q S1E4 “LA Times” // Hunters S1E8 “The Jewish Question // She-Ra and the Princesses of Power S5E13 “Heart Part 2” // Dickinson S1E3 “Wild Nights” // Vida S3E6 “Episode 22” // Killing Eve S3E8 “Are You Leading Or Am I?” // High Maintenance S4E8 “Solo” // Mrs. Fletcher S1E7 “Welcome Back”
Click through the slideshow to see all the nominees:
Most Groundbreaking Representation
- Work In Progress (HBO)
- Twenties (BET)
- Pose (FX)
- Party of Five (Freeform)
- Batwoman (The CW)
- Vida (Starz)
Bottom Row: Party of Five (Freeform), Batwoman (The CW), Vida (Starz)
Best Show That Got Cancelled
- Dare Me (USA)
- Marvel’s Runaways (Hulu)
- I Am Not Okay With This (Netflix)
- Party of Five (Freeform)
- High Fidelity (Hulu)
- Vida (Starz)
Bottom Row: Party of Five (Freeform), High Fidelity (Hulu), Vida (Starz)
Outstanding Hairstyling for an LGBTQ+ Character
Sophie Suarez “The L Word: Generation Q” // Toni Topaz “Riverdale” // Eve “Killing Eve” // Anissa Pierce “Black Lightning” // Bette Porter “The L Word: Generation Q” // Bishop “Deputy” // Nico “Vida” // Tegan “How To Get Away With Murder“
Click through the slideshow to see all the nominees!
Outstanding Costume Design for a Show With LGBTQ+ Characters
Deidra Govan, The L Word: Generation Q // Analucia McGorty, Pose // Sam Perry, Killing Eve // Bina Daigeler, Mrs America // Ceci, Black Lady Sketch Show // Beth Morgan, G.L.O.W.
Click through the slideshow below to se all the nominees:
Plus there are four FAN FAVORITE CATEGORIES —Fan Favorite Couples, Fan Favorite Out Queer Actor, Fan Favorite Most Anticipated Season Two and Fan Favorite Character. You will find them on the ballot when you…