GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist | |
---|---|
Awarded for | Excellence in music by LGBTQ people or allies |
Venue | Varies |
Country | United States |
Presented by | GLAAD |
First awarded | 1991 |
2023 winner | Reneé Rapp Snow Angel (2023) |
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist is an annual award that honors music artists who are either openly queer or allies and have used their music to increase acceptance of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community. It is one of several categories of the annual GLAAD Media Awards, which are presented by GLAAD—an American non-governmental media monitoring organization—at ceremonies held primarily in New York City and Los Angeles between March and May. [1]
GLAAD first recognized music at the 2nd GLAAD Media Awards in 1991, with Two Nice Girls winning an award. The following year, Phranc was recognized as Outstanding Recording Artist, while John Corigliano's "Symphony No. 1" won Outstanding Music Composition; the only instance this award was given. In 1993, Garth Brooks' "We Shall Be Free" won Outstanding Music Song, while Elton John's "The Last Song" won Outstanding Music Video. The 6th GLAAD Media Awards in 1996 marked the only instance where three music-related awards were given, with Outstanding Music Album being presented for the first time to Disappear Fear's self-titled album. Starting with the 11th GLAAD Media Awards in 2000, Outstanding Music Album was the sole music-related category recognized by GLAAD, with the award going to Indigo Girls' Come On Now Social . At the 15th GLAAD Media Awards in 2004, the category was retitled to its current name, with the award going to Rufus Wainwright for his album Want One . [2] To date there has only been one tie, with Adam Lambert and Frank Ocean winning the award at the 24th GLAAD Media Awards in 2013 for Trespassing and Channel Orange , respectively.
For a music artist to be eligible, they must have released an album or extended play during the eligibility period, and have it be sold in a major record shop or digital music store. [3] The artist must also use their music and live performances to "accelerate LGBTQ acceptance", with interviews and public statements also being taken into consideration. [3] At one point, the award could only be given to artists that were openly LGBT, [4] but this criterion was revised starting with the 30th GLAAD Media Awards in 2019 so that LGBT allies can also be eligible. [5] Moreover, while the award was at one point given to openly queer artists regardless of whether their music included LGBT themes, in 2019 this was changed so that artists had to use their music to "accelerate LGBTQ acceptance". [5]
Since its inception, the award has been given to 29 music artists and groups. With four wins out of six nominations, Rufus Wainwright is the most-awarded artist in this category, followed by Melissa Etheridge, who has three awards out of nine nominations. Scissor Sisters is the band with the most wins, having received three wins from four nominations. With four nominations, Brandi Carlile is the music artist that has been nominated the most often without a win. At the 35th GLAAD Media Awards in 2024, the award was given to Reneé Rapp for her album Snow Angel .
‡ | Indicates the winner |
Award year | Artist | Work | Label | Ref(s). |
---|---|---|---|---|
1991 (2nd) | Two Nice Girls ‡ | [6] | ||
1992 (3rd) | ||||
Outstanding Recording Artist | ||||
Phranc ‡ | ||||
Outstanding Music Composition | ||||
John Corigliano ‡ | "Symphony No. 1" | — | ||
1993 (4th) | ||||
Outstanding Music Song | ||||
Garth Brooks ‡ | "We Shall Be Free" | Liberty | ||
Outstanding Music Video | ||||
Elton John ‡ | " The Last Song " | MCA | ||
1994 (5th) | ||||
Outstanding Recording Artist | ||||
Melissa Etheridge ‡ | ||||
1995 (6th) | ||||
Outstanding Music Album | ||||
Disappear Fear ‡ | Disappear Fear | Rounder | ||
Outstanding Music Song | ||||
Indigo Girls ‡ | " This Train Revised " | Epic | ||
Outstanding Music Video | ||||
Melissa Etheridge ‡ | "I'm the Only One" | Island | ||
1996 (7th) | ||||
Outstanding Music Album | ||||
Boy George ‡ | Cheapness and Beauty | Virgin | ||
Outstanding Music Song | ||||
Jill Sobule ‡ | "I Kissed a Girl" | Atlantic | ||
1997 (8th) | ||||
Outstanding Music Album | [7] [6] | |||
Extra Fancy ‡ | Sinnerman | Diablo Musica | ||
Outstanding Music Song | ||||
Meshell Ndegeocello ‡ | "Leviticus: Faggot" | Maverick | ||
1998 (9th) | ||||
Outstanding Music Album | [8] [9] [6] | |||
Janet Jackson ‡ | Velvet Rope | Virgin | ||
Ani DiFranco | Living in Clip | Righteous Babe | ||
Erasure | Cowboy | Mute | ||
Indigo Girls | Shaming of the Sun | Epic | ||
White Town | Women in Technology | Chrysalis | ||
1999 (10th) | ||||
Outstanding Music Album | [10] [6] | |||
Rufus Wainwright ‡ | Rufus Wainwright | DreamWorks | ||
The Murmurs | Blender | MCA | ||
Phranc | Milkman | Phancy | ||
Two | Voyeurs | Nothing | ||
Outstanding Music Single | ||||
Queen Pen ‡ | " Girlfriend " | Interscope | ||
Henry Rollins | " The Gay Thing " | DreamWorks |
The following individuals received two or more Outstanding Music Artist awards:
| The following individuals received four or more Outstanding Music Artist awards:
|
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Wide Release is an annual award that honors films that received a wide release for excellence in the depiction of LGBT characters and themes. It is one of several categories of the annual GLAAD Media Awards, which are presented by GLAAD—an American non-governmental media monitoring organization founded in 1985, formerly called the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation—at ceremonies in New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco between March and June.
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Limited Release is an annual award that honors films that received a limited release for excellence in the depiction of LGBT characters and themes. It is one of several categories of the annual GLAAD Media Awards, which are presented by GLAAD—an American non-governmental media monitoring organization—at ceremonies held primarily in New York City and Los Angeles between March and May.
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Documentary is an annual award that honors documentaries for excellence in the treatment of LGBT individuals, history, and themes. It is one of several categories of the annual GLAAD Media Awards, which are presented by GLAAD—an American non-governmental media monitoring organization—at ceremonies held primarily in New York City and Los Angeles between March and May.
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series is an annual award that honors drama series for excellence in the depiction of LGBT characters and themes. It is one of several categories of the annual GLAAD Media Awards, which are presented by GLAAD—an American non-governmental media monitoring organization founded in 1985, formerly called the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation—at ceremonies in New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco between March and June.
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series is an annual award that honors comedy series for excellence in the depiction of LGBT characters and themes. It is one of several categories of the annual GLAAD Media Awards, which are presented by GLAAD—an American non-governmental media monitoring organization founded in 1985, formerly called the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation—at ceremonies in New York City; Los Angeles; and San Francisco between March and June.
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series is an annual award that honors miniseries and anthology series for excellence in the treatment of LGBT characters and themes. It is one of several categories of the annual GLAAD Media Awards, which are presented by GLAAD—an American non-governmental media monitoring organization—at ceremonies held primarily in New York City and Los Angeles between March and May.
Queer Eye is an American reality television series, initially released February 7, 2018 on Netflix. A reboot of the original 2003 series produced by Bravo, each episode has five advisors spend a week applying their expertise to help improve someone's life situation.
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book is an annual award that honors comic books for excellence in the depiction of LGBT characters and themes. It is one of several categories of the annual GLAAD Media Awards, presented by GLAAD—an American non-governmental media monitoring organization—at ceremonies in New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco between March and June.
The Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Song in a Feature Film is one of the awards given annually to people working in the motion picture industry by the Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA). It is presented to the songwriters who have composed the best "original" song, written specifically for a film. The award was first given in 2014, during the fifth annual awards.
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Kids and Family Programming is an annual award that honors children's and family programming for excellence in the treatment of LGBT characters and themes. It is one of several categories of the annual GLAAD Media Awards, which are presented by GLAAD—an American non-governmental media monitoring organization—at ceremonies held primarily in New York City and Los Angeles between March and May.
Netflix has contributed substantially to LGBTQ representation in animation. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual and transgender characters have appeared in various animated series, and some animated films, on the streaming platform. GLAAD described Netflix as a company taking "impressive strides in viewership and impact," when it came to LGBTQ representation. Scholars have stated that LGBTQ characters on streaming services, such as Netflix, "made more displays of affection" than on broadcast networks.
Cartoon Network, an American TV channel which launched in 1992, and Adult Swim, its adult-oriented nighttime programming block which launched in 2001, has regularly featured lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) characters in its programming.
The 32nd GLAAD Media Awards is the 2021 annual presentation of the GLAAD Media Awards, presented by GLAAD honoring the 2020 media season. It was held on April 8, 2021. The awards honor films, television shows, video games, musicians and works of journalism that fairly, accurately and inclusively represent the LGBT community and issues relevant to the community. GLAAD announced the 198 nominees split across 28 categories on January 28, 2021 on TikTok. A new category was created for Children's Programming, honoring televised works aired for younger children. The winners were announced in a virtual ceremony hosted by Niecy Nash. The show featured performances from Chika, Rebecca Black and Nash's wife Jessica Betts.
We the People is a 2021 American animated educational television series aiming to teach kids about civics. Each episode is a 4-5 minute animated song by a popular performer. Created by Chris Nee, who executive produced it with Kenya Barris and Barack & Michelle Obama, the series premiered on July 4, 2021 on Netflix.
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Video Game is an annual award that honors video games for excellence in the depiction of LGBT characters and themes. It is one of several categories of the annual GLAAD Media Awards, which are presented by GLAAD—an American non-governmental media monitoring organization founded in 1985—at ceremonies in New York City and Los Angeles between March and May.
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist is an annual award honoring musicians who use songs, music videos and live performances to accelerate LGBTQ acceptance. The artists may be LGBTQ or allies. Artists are eligible who have released a full-length or EP-length album, or single sold through a major retail or online music store. In addition to the music itself, media interviews, public statements and other information may be considered when selecting nominees and award recipients. It is one of several categories of the GLAAD Media Awards presented by GLAAD, a US non-governmental media monitoring organization founded in 1985 at ceremonies in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco between March and June.