Lady Gaga and Conan Gray have scored nominations at one of LGBTQ media’s most prestigious events.
The 37th annual GLAAD Media Awards announced its nominees, celebrating powerful representation and visibility across entertainment.
Both artists earned recognition in the outstanding music artist category, joining an impressive lineup of LGBTQ+ and allied performers.
The ceremony recognizes media excellence in promoting LGBTQ acceptance and understanding.
Star-Studded Music Artist Category
Lady Gaga earned her nomination for MAYHEM, her latest album that continues her legacy of LGBTQ advocacy through art. Conan Gray received recognition for his album Wishbone, showcasing his authentic storytelling.
The outstanding music artist category features remarkable talent across genres. Maren Morris landed a nomination for DREAMSICLE, while Reneé Rapp scored recognition for her album Bite Me.
Legendary artist Elton John also appears on the nominee list alongside Brandi Carlile for their collaborative album Who Believes in Angels? The partnership brings together two powerhouse voices in music and LGBTQ activism.
Breakthrough Artists Making Waves
The outstanding breakthrough music artist category highlights emerging talent pushing boundaries in representation. KATSEYE earned a nomination, marking significant recognition for their debut year.
Frankie Grande, brother of pop superstar Ariana Grande, received a nomination for his debut album released last year. His entry into music has brought fresh energy and authentic queer representation to mainstream audiences.
Podcast Episodes Earn Recognition
Beyond music categories, several artists gained nominations through podcast appearances that sparked important conversations.
Chappell Roan’s episode of Call Her Daddy, titled “Chappell Roan: Are People Scared of Me?” received a nod for outstanding podcast episode. The conversation explored fame, identity, and navigating sudden superstardom.
Reneé Rapp also scored recognition in the podcast category for her appearance on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang. Her candid discussion resonated with audiences seeking authentic voices in media.
Celebrating Three Decades of Advocacy
The GLAAD Media Awards have honored outstanding representations of LGBTQ people and issues for 37 years. These awards spotlight media that authentically tell LGBTQ stories and promote acceptance through cultural visibility.
Music nominations particularly highlight how artists use their platforms for representation. From Lady Gaga’s decades-long advocacy to newer voices like Conan Gray and Chappell Roan, these artists create space for queer expression.
The ceremony recognizes work across film, television, journalism, digital media, and music that increases understanding and acceptance.
Mark Your Calendar
The 37th GLAAD Media Awards ceremony takes place in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 5. The event will celebrate winners across multiple categories recognizing excellence in LGBTQ representation.
Winners receive recognition not just for artistic merit, but for advancing conversations around identity, acceptance, and visibility in mainstream culture.
This year’s nominations showcase how LGBTQ voices continue expanding across entertainment platforms, from traditional album releases to podcast conversations reaching millions of listeners.
Why Representation Matters
GLAAD Media Awards nominees demonstrate the power of authentic storytelling. When artists share genuine experiences and perspectives, they create connection and understanding across communities.
Music particularly serves as a powerful vehicle for representation. Artists can explore identity, love, struggle, and joy in ways that resonate universally while honoring specific experiences.
From established icons like Lady Gaga and Elton John to breakthrough artists carving new paths, these nominations reflect diverse voices shaping culture. Each nominated work contributes to broader visibility and acceptance.
The podcast nominations also highlight how conversational media creates space for deeper discussions around identity, mental health, and navigating public life as LGBTQ individuals.
As the ceremony approaches, these nominations celebrate progress while recognizing continued work needed for full representation across all media platforms.