What they are calling the “queerest night in games” (Ya’ll need to come hang with us in Seattle) happened yesterday. The Gayming Awards 2021 handed out 9 awards to celebrate some of the greatest contributions to LGBTQ inclusion and representation in gaming.
The inaugural event put on by Gayming Magazine was broadcast to an amazing audience of over 110,000 unique viewers and presented by EA. If you didn’t see the event click here or scroll down below.
The winners of each category were chosen by an international judging panel of LGBTQ+ video game industry professionals, with the exception of the LGBTQ Streamer of the Year Award and the Readers’ Award, which were decided by public vote.
Robin Gray, founder, and editor of Gayming Magazine, had the following to say on the momentous night: “I am so proud to be able to say we have held the world’s first LGBTQ video game award show! 2020 was truly a watershed moment for LGBTQ inclusion in games and to be able to celebrate it with everyone, although virtually, was amazing! Congratulations to all the winners, well done to all the nominees and thank you again to all our sponsors! See you in 2022!”
Colin Blackwood, EA’s UK & Ireland Country Manager, said: “Congratulations to the amazing nominees and winners celebrated tonight. As a founding partner of the #RaiseTheGame pledge, EA are thrilled to sponsor the inaugural Gayming Awards, celebrating and recognising the power of inclusion of LGBTQ+, and diversity of stories and creators, in video games. We look forward to these awards becoming an annual tradition.”
The Gayming Awards 2021 winners:
Best LGBTQ Narrative Award – sponsored by Hangar 13
- If Found… – DREAMFEEL
Authentic Representation Award – sponsored by Green Man Gaming
- Tell Me Why – DONTNOD Entertainment/Xbox Game Studios
Best LGBTQ Character Award – sponsored by Rocksteady Studios
- Tyler Ronan – Tell Me Why – DONTNOD Entertainment/Xbox Game Studios
LGBTQ Streamer of the Year Award – sponsored by Twitch
- DEERE
Industry Diversity Award – sponsored by Square Enix London Mobile
- I Need Diverse Games
Best LGBTQ Indie Game Award – sponsored by Xbox
- If Found… – DREAMFEEL
Gayming Magazine Readers’ Award – sponsored by PlayStation
- Hades – Supergiant Games
Gayming Icon Award – presented by Gayming Magazine
- Robert Yang
Game of the Year – sponsored by EA Games
- Hades – Supergiant Games