LGBTQ+ winners at the Gayming Awards 2023
The annual Gayming Awards recently took place in New York, embracing the theme of “Sparkles in the Spotlight”. This is the second year that Keywords Studios has supported the event, which celebrates LGBTQ+ representation in the global video games industry.
The Gayming Awards embodies the spirit of inclusivity and equality, with many of the awards being open to both indie and AAA industry giants. This was evident from early on in this year’s event, as Young Men in Love won the best LGBTQ+ Comic Book Moment Award, featuring alongside side fellow nominees DC Comics and Marvel Comics.
There were a further eleven awards handed out on the night:
- Game of the Year: Cult of the Lamb – Devolver Digital & Massive Monster
- Gayming Magazine Readers Award: Stray – Annapurna Interactive & Blue Twelve Studio
- Best LGBTQ Indie Game: Wylde Flowers – Studio Drydock
- LGBTQ Streamer of the Year: DragTrashly
- Authentic Representation Award: I Was a Teenage Exocolonist – Northway Games & Finji
- Best LGBTQ Character: New Tales from the Borderlands – Gearbox & 2K
- Industry Diversity Award: GLITCH
- Gayming Icon Award: Ashly Burch
- LGBTQ Streamer Rising Star Class of ’23: Multiple winners
- Best LGBTQ Contribution to Esports Award: XSET
- Best LGBTQ Tabletop Game of the Year Award: Adventuring with Pride – A Queero’s Journey
“(This has been) an incredibly important year for the growth of representation in our industry.” – Robin Gray, founder of Gayming Magazine
Embracing Change
“As a member of the queer community, I can say that it feels easier, safer to be out, knowing you are not the only one. I would have loved to see LGBTQ+ representation in games and comics growing up, to feel more included in the media and games I consumed. The Gayming Awards celebrates the creators and content that champion this visibility, letting LGBTQ+ folks know that while they are gaming, there is a community to support them.” said Lauren Mandelker, Global Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Keywords Studios, in attendance at the event.
This event serves as a reminder that the industry is evolving and embracing change. By amplifying diverse stories and voices, we help create a gaming landscape that is reflective of the world we live in, where we can be seen and empowered, and inspire future generations to enter the industry.
You can stream the full Gayming Awards 2023, supported by Keywords Studios, here.
