Award Shows Around the World Celebrate Pride

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This past week there were Pride celebrations around the globe, with performances by various LGBTQIA+ artists and allies, but there were also some Pride celebrations of another sort. The rainbow flag was waving at multiple entertainment award shows around the world this week, as various artists, who are either out or who portray out characters, won a multitude of  awards. 


​The BET Awards in the United States saw Queer artist SZA nab awards for "Female R&B/Pop Artist," "Video of the Year " for Kill Bill and "Album of the Year" for SOS (tied with Beyonce's Break My Soul).

Meanwhile, Thailand's MAYA Awards gave out accolades to multiple actors who have stared in gay or lesbian film and television projects. "Series of the Year" went to the "boy-love" series Pee Ja Tee Na Noey and stars of the "girl-love series GAP the Series, Freen Sarocha Chankimha and Becky Rebecca Armstrong secured "Couple of the Year." Freen also took home "Rising Star of the Year (Woman)" while Cutie Pie star Nunew Chawarin Perispiriyawong landed "Rising Star of the Year (Man)." C Phruek Panich, also known for Cutie Pie and other "boy-love" projects won "Charming Young Man of the Year" and "Charming Young Woman" went to Engfa Waraha, star of "girl-love" series Show Me Love.

Then there was even more representation at Brasil's SEC Awards, where TV shows with Queer representation took home prizes like "Best Drama Series" for Stranger Things, "Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Series" for The Flash. "Best Action Series" for Sky Rojo, "Best Suspense/Mystery Series" for Warrior Nun, "Best Comedy Series" for Only Murders in the Building, and "Best Asian Series" for GAP the Series. Selena Gomez also won "Best Performance in an International Series" for Only Murders in the Building and GAP the Series scored another "Favorite Series Couple" win. Heartstopper actor Joe Locke was named "Best Teen Series Actor" and "Favorite Movie of the Year" went to the diversely cast Scream 6. Brazillian drag queen Pabllo Vittar was named "National Male Artist of the Year," recieved "Best National Album/EP of the Year" for Night, and shares "National Feat of the Year" for Ameianoite alongside Gloria Groove.

With LGBTQIA+ representation not only being produced by the entertainment industry, and lauded across the world by fans, but also for it to be recognized as top-tier entertainment internationally, is a step towards a day when everyone, no matter how they identify or where they live, can express themselves authentically and can love openly, with only celebration as a response.

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