The Primetime Emmy Awards are headed our way this very Sunday on September 19th, which — in the beforetimes — was usually an exciting time of year for Hollywood “insiders,” television critics, and fans everywhere of popcorn popping and yelling at celebrities while sitting on your couch in your pajamas.
Of course, the last 18 months have been anything but normal — not for any of us, and as it relates to this specific contest, not for the television industry. There’s been prematurely truncated seasons, retroactive cancellations and strange pivots and long production delays. While network and cable tv kept trying to adjust to the sky falling, streaming networks responded by erratically churned out new content seemingly without rhyme or reason. And arguably none of us have ever spent more time at home in front of a television! There’s been weekend mini-binges of new shows we’ve never never heard and multi-season comfort re-watches, and finally, in the last six months, long anticipated returns of our favorites.
And while the Emmys may not be delivered from home this year (Do you remember last year when they literally chucked Emmys at the winners from behind hazmat suits? #NeverForget), it’s certainly not “back to normal.” Though some things do remain the same! We began the Gay Emmys to celebrate the sheer breadth and quality of queer television that’s available to us now, in larger quantities than ever before. We know the talent is out there, even if the Television Academy still overwhelming follows the whims of mostly straight white cis men. And so our annual queer tradition — now in its fourth year! A marvel! — was born.
How it Works: Over the last few weeks our TV Team of queer critics nominated and voted on shows and actors and characters and creatives in the 21 categories you see below. These official nominees are the top six vote-getters in every category. Now you get to weigh in! Every Autostraddle reader is eligible to vote once in each category. Your votes will be combined with the TV Team’s votes to choose the winner! We’ve also chosen three fan-favorite categories over which you have total control. Your winners are the winners!
To choose our nominees, we abided by official Emmys rules for timing.That means shows must have occurred between June 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021. The majority of the show’s episodes must have aired within that time period.
Here is your official ballot!
Voting ends on Wednesday September 15, 2021 at 5:30 EST and winners will be announced on Thursday September 16!
And the Nominees Are…
Outstanding Comedy Series
Girls5Eva
Dickinson
A Black Lady Sketch Show
Teenage Bounty Hunters
Master of None Presents: Moments in Love
Hacks
Outstanding Drama Series
P-Valley
Killing Eve
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Wilds
Veneno
Pose
Outstanding Sci-Fi/Fantasy Series
Legends of Tomorrow
The Haunting of Bly Manor
Batwoman
Wynonna Earp
Supergirl
Star Trek: Discovery
Outstanding Lead Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Drama Series
Mj Rodriguez as Blanca Evangelista, Pose
Hunter Schafer as Jules Vaughn, Euphoria
Danielle Savre as Maya Bishop, Station 19
Zendaya as Rue Bennett, Euphoria
Sarah Paulson as Nurse Ratched, Ratched
Nicco Annan as Uncle Clifford, P-Valley
Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Drama Series
Daniela Santiago as Veneno, Veneno
Cynthia Nixon as Gwendolyn Briggs, Ratched
Angourie Rice as Siobhan Sheehan, Mare of Easttown
Stefania Spampinato as Carina DeLuca, Station 19
Samira Wiley as Moira Strand, The Handmaid’s Tale
Dominique Jackson as Elektra Abundance Evangelista Wintour, Pose
Outstanding Lead Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Comedy Series
Haley Sanchez as Greta Moreno, Genera+ion
Hailee Steinfeld as Emily Dickinson, Dickinson
Chase Sui Wonders as Riley Luo, Genera+ion
Paula Pell as Gloria, Girls 5Eva
Naomi Ackie as Alicia, Master of None Presents: Moments in Love
Hannah Einbinder as Ava Daniels, Hacks
Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Comedy Series
Lolly Adefope as Fran, Shrill
Ella Hunt as Susan Gilbert, Dickinson
Cole Escola as Chip Wreck, Search Party
Sasheer Zamata as Denise, Home Economics
Patti Harrison as Ruthie, Shrill
Nava Mau as Ana, Genera+ion
Outstanding Lead Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Sci-Fi Series
Javicia Leslie as Ryan Wilder, Batwoman
Dom Provost-Chalkley as Waverly Earp, Wynonna Earp
Chyler Leigh as Alex Danvers, Supergirl
Victoria Pedretti as Dani Clayton, The Haunting of Bly Manor
Nafessa Williams as Anissa Pierce, Black Lightning
Kat Barrell as Nicole Haught, Wynonna Earp
Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Sci-Fi Series
Chantal Thuy as Grace Choi, Black Lightning
Blu del Barrio as Adira Tal, Star Trek: Discovery
Azie Tesfai as Kelly Olsen, Supergirl
Nicole Maines as Nia Nal, Supergirl
Meagan Tandy as Sophie Moore, Batwoman
Lachlan Watson as Theo Putnam, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Outstanding Performance by a Straight Actress in a Straight Role
Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness, WandaVision
Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca Welton, Ted Lasso
Brandee Evans as Mercedes, P-Valley
Punam Patel as Kim Laghari, Special
Renee Elise Goldsberry as Wickie Roy, Girls5Eva
Michaela Coel as Arabella, I May Destroy You
Outstanding Cis Male Character
Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent, Ted Lasso
Billy Porter as Pray Tell, Pose
Angel Bismark Curiel as Esteban “Lil Papi” Evangelista, Pose
Toheeb Jimoh as Sam Obisanya, Ted Lasso
Justice Smith as Chester Morris, Genera+ion
Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, Ted Lasso
Santana Lopez Legacy Award For Outstanding Queer Teen Character
Eris Baker as Tess Pearson, This Is Us
Chase Sui Wonders as Riley Luo, Genera+ion
Bre-z as Tamia “Coop” Cooper, All American
Zendaya as Rue Bennett, Euphoria
Hunter Schafer as Jules Vaughn, Euphoria
Haley Sanchez as Greta Moreno, Genera+ion
Best Episode with LGBTQ+ Themes
“Cease and Desist,” Girls5Eva
“CLICK WHIRR,” Genera+ion
“Fuck Anyone Who’s Not a Sea Blob,” Euphoria
“The Trunk,” Pose
“Chapter 4” (the pregnancy episode), Master of None Presents: Moments in Love
“Something Borrowed,” Harley Quinn
Outstanding Performance by an Out LGBTQ+ Actor in a Comedy
Hannah Einbinder as Ava Daniels, Hacks
Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live
Cole Escola as Chip Wreck, Search Party
Wanda Sykes as Lucretia Turner, The Upshaws
Paula Pell as Gloria, Girls 5Eva
Humberly González as Sophie Sanchez, Ginny & Georgia
Outstanding Performance by an LGBTQ+ Actor in a Drama
Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher, The Crown
Emma Corrin as Princess Diana, The Crown
Dominique Jackson as Elektra Abundance Evangelista Wintour, Pose
Samira Wiley as Moira Strand, The Handmaid’s Tale
Mj Rodriguez as Blanca Evangelista, Pose
Lola Rodriguez as Valeria Vegas, Veneno
Outstanding LGBTQ+ Actor in a Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show
Chyler Leigh as Alex Danvers, Supergirl
Chantal Thuy as Grace Choi, Black Lightning
Blu del Barrio as Adira Tal, Star Trek: Discovery
T’Nia Miller as Hannah Grose, The Haunting of Bly Manor
Javicia Leslie as Ryan Wilder, Batwoman
Dom Provost-Chalkley as Waverly Earp, Wynonna Earp
Outstanding LGBTQ+ Director / Writer / Showrunner
Hunter Schafer, writer, Euphoria (“Fuck Anyone Who’s Not a Sea Blob”)
Ashley Nicole Black and Lauren Ashley Smith, writers, A Black Lady Sketch Show
Emily Andras, showrunner, Wynonna Earp
Janet Mock, director, Pose (“Take Me to Church”)
Lena Waithe, writer, Master of None Presents: Moments in Love
Tina Mabry, director, Pose (“The Trunk”)
Most Groundbreaking Representation (Show)
P-Valley
Master of None Presents: Moments in Love
Genera+ion
Veneno
Special
Pose
Outstanding Animated Series
Harley Quinn
Blues Clues
Adventure Time: Distant Lands — Obsidian
The Owl House
One Day at a Time (“The Politics Episode”)
Magical Girl Friendship Squad
Outstanding Hairstyling for an LGBTQ+ Character
Veneno, Veneno
Angel Evangelista, Pose
Sophie Moore, Batwoman
Denise, Master of None Presents: Moments in Love
Nurse Ratched, Ratched
Alex Danvers, Supergirl
Outstanding Costume Design for a Show With LGBTQ+ Characters
Genera+ion
Dickinson
Batwoman
Ratched
Pose
Master of None Presents: Moments in Love
Plus there are THREE FAN FAVORITE CATEGORIES —Fan Favorite Couples, Fan Favorite Out Queer Actor, and Fan Favorite Character. You will find them on the ballot when you…
VOTE NOW IN THE AUTOSTRADDLE 4th ANNUAL GAY EMMYS!
If Veneno doesn’t sweep this edition of the gay emmys, istg
I’m disappointed that more of the cast didn’t get a look in! Isabel Torres (as older Veneno) is huge omission and Paca La Piraña (as herself!) should be up for best supporting actor.
Wow, I’m discovering how out of touch I am with most current TV going through this ballot…
Shame the new L Word was ineligible for this year’s Gay Emmys!
some of these choices are harddd
Dickinson forever Emily and Sue
it’s the most wonderful time of the year!
I hadn’t seen any of the options in several categories and there were many I hadn’t even heard of. I love how many queer TV options we have now!
I’ve seen far to few of these to make a vote, but the costumes in Dickinson look fantastic! How I missed a gay historical drama is beyond me, because that’s my favourite thing. I know what I’m watching tonight.
The Emmys really need to learn what a comdey series is, this was ridiculous already and is getting worse every year!
This is awesome!!! Danielle Savre and Stefania Spampinato of Station19 as Maya Bishop and Carina de Luca are nominated this year🤩😍 perfect !!! They are amazing!!! Their chemistry are insane🤗 #MARINA nation let’s do it!!! Let’s vote!!! Join forces again!!! And we can possibly make it!!! Lets go!!!🙌🏻🗣🙏💪🏻🥰
I think there’s a typo in the Straight Actress in a Straight Role category. Isn’t Punam Patel in Special? (not Shrill?)
Yep you’re correct! I’m fixing it! (thanks for the catch!)
Ummm moonbear as honeybear in Betty for best skateboarding in pasties. Tuca in the cartoon tuca and bertie for best bisexual who is only dating women lately. And of course blitzø in the cartoon helluva boss for most upfront about a casual relationship. Oglaf for best webcomic featuring sexual situations, especially the slutvirus episode.
Hi! Just wanted to pop in and let you know that Dom Provost-Chalkley came out as non-binary on an Instagram post last month and signed off as “Dom (they/them),” as well as updated their bio to include this info.
Their twitter/wikipedia isn’t updated, but they’ve never been super Online. Anyway I don’t know if this is a deadname situation or not, since it was an existing nickname, but I thought I’d point it out in case.
Thank you for this! We definitely weren’t aware, did a little research, and are now updating Dom’s name!
I’m very disappointed that L Word Gen Q and Motherland: Fort Salem got no nominations :/
They both fell out of the qualification period!
Motherland Fort Salem’s first season aired too early (before June 2020) and the second season aired too late (after May 2021).
Gen Q just came back a month ago :(
We miss them, too! But next year!
I don’t recall Chantal Thuy coming out? Can someone link me to it?
Also, I threw all the votes at Pose (and The Owl House). Much love to those shows (and Station 19).
I don’t have a link to it but Chantal did a queer Asians panel at whatever was the last Clexacon (either the virtual one or the last IRL one, I’ll do a little extra research for the date and come right back!)
Got the video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHb9jM_z0gA
She also talks about being queer on her Twitter account. Sometimes we don’t do coming out posts because the person in question was never really “in,” you know?
Thanks so much! And that’s fine that there was no post, my little search of her socials/my work on LezWatchTV led me astray somehow. That was more of me being disappointed in myself than anything. This is great! :)
Ummm moonbear as honeybear in Betty for best skateboarding in pasties. Tuca in the cartoon tuca and bertie for best bisexual who is only dating women lately. And of course blitzø in the cartoon helluva boss for most upfront about a casual relationship. Oglaf for best webcomic featuring sexual situations, especially the slutvirus episode.
I can mostly only vote from hoe enthusiastic of the show you are on autostraddle.
or how much i like the actress…. Cause a lot of the shows arent avaiable on germany .
and the few that are avaiable on netflix germany( no hulu or hbo here)i cannot see cause i dont have an account.
Luckily our library is very well staffed.
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