Queer art took center stage at Thursday night’s 37th GLAAD Media Awards. Hosted by Mean Girls actor Jonathan Bennett, the star-studded ceremony celebrated nearly 300 nominees across more than 30 categories.
Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award-winning icon Liza Minnelli easily won the night with her surprise appearance, which was complete with a glitzy dance ensemble and an insightful look at her legacy, narrated by RuPaul. Michael Feinstein presented the Cabaret star with the inaugural Liza Minnelli Storyteller Award in honor of her upcoming memoir, Kids, Wait Till You Hear This, which has already made headlines thanks to buzzy Lady Gaga excerpts.
Quinta Brunson — the Emmy-winning actor, producer, writer and showrunner of Abbott Elementary — received the Vanguard Award from Scott Evans, while Las Culturistas co-hosts Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers were honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award. The comedic duo was introduced by Grammy-nominated pop star Demi Lovato, who opened the show with a steamy rendition of “Kiss,” a standout track from her Billboard 200 top 10 album It’s Not That Deep (No. 9). Other performers at the ceremony included rising pop star Eli, who performed “Glitter,” her newest single.
Though neither act was there to accept their awards in person, women dominated the music categories. Puerto Rican rapper and singer Young Miko was named outstanding music artist, and KATSEYE took home outstanding breakthrough music artist. Heated Rivalry, which Bennett parodied in one of his hosting bits, won outstanding new TV series. Director Jacob Tierney accepted the honor, joined by several castmembers, including Connor Storrie, François Arnaud and Robbie G.K.
Check all the best photos in Billboard’s handy gallery.
-
Jonathan Bennett
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Jonathan Bennett speaks onstage at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards held at the Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
-
Eli
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Eli performs onstage at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards held at the Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
-
Quinta Brunson
Image Credit: Michael Buckner Quinta Brunson accepts the Vanguard Award at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards held at the Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
-
Jonathan Capehart, Elaijah Gibbs-Jones, Laverne Cox, Eugene Daniels and Don Lemon
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Jonathan Capehart, Elaijah Gibbs-Jones, Laverne Cox, Eugene Daniels and Don Lemon at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards held at the Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
-
Demi Lovato
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Demi Lovato at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards held at the Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
-
Karolina Wydra and Rhea Seehorn
Image Credit: Michael Buckner Karolina Wydra and Rhea Seehorn speak onstage at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards held at the Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
-
Jonathan Bennett
Image Credit: Michael Buckner Jonathan Bennett performs onstage at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards held at the Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
-
Frankie Grande and Demi Lovato
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Frankie Grande and Demi Lovato at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards held at the Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
-
Connor Storrie, Robbie GK, Nadine Bhaba, Brendan Brady, Jacob Tierney, François Arnaud, Christina Chang and Amber Glenn
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Connor Storrie, Robbie GK, Nadine Bhaba, Brendan Brady, Jacob Tierney, François Arnaud, Christina Chang and Amber Glenn at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards held at the Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
-
Eli
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Eli performs onstage at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards held at the Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
-
Frankie Grande and Peppermint
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Frankie Grande and Peppermint speak onstage at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards held at the Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
-
Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards held at the Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
-
Demi Lovato
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Demi Lovato at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards held at the Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox
Sign Up
