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Co-Hosts Dawn and Erika Ishii talk the 2026 Gayming Awards

The ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ alumni and voice performer break down why this year’s awards will be the best one yet!

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32 minutes ago

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2026 Gayming Awards

Queer gamers everywhere, rejoice — the Gayming Awards are back and better than ever!

Returning for its sixth year, the Gayming Awards are an annual celebration of the queer developers, performers, and advocates who make the games that LGBTQ+ nerds love today. During a time when queer art is constantly under attack, it’s a vital evening of appreciation, of uplifting the voices that are making this multimillion-dollar industry more inclusive for all. And while every iteration has proven amazing, the 2026 edition is promising to be the best one yet — so, of course, it had to be co-hosted by two of the biggest names in LGBTQ+ gaming today!

The Los Angeles Blade sat down with the co-hosts of this year’s Gayming Awards, Dawn and Erika Ishii. Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race will know Dawn well; originally on the series’ 16th season, this drag queen made waves with both her high-fashion elf aesthetic and hilarious commentary. And along with being a part of the famous TTRPG series Dimension 20, Ishii has broken barriers with their roles in popular franchises like recent hit Ghosts of Yōtei. The pair spoke about how honored they are to be leading this show and why the Gayming Awards are more necessary now than ever. And above all else, they emphasized that this evening will share an important message with everyone watching: there is nothing more powerful than fighting to have your story told. 

“Video games are kind of just a reflection of where we’re at as a [society],” said Dawn, as she spoke to the Blade from the bedecked setup viewers will recognize from her weekly gaming livestreams. The performer has always been a video game fan — she even named herself after a character from the Pokémon franchise! She has a special awareness of how nerd and LGBTQ+ culture intersect, as well as why video games are important to so many queer folks today.  “[Video games] have this really special way of tapping into your brain,” she explained. “You get to roleplay through this [new] life to escape to, especially when the world around us right now is a little bit scary and unfortunate.” It’s a practice that has always existed, but that we’ve really only seen in recent years; queer players have always used video games to escape the pitfalls of reality. But while they once had to enjoy these projects while hiding their identity, now, we’re finally seeing LGBT+ gamers get to build community with one another and push for franchises that reflect the identities of everyone playing them. 

Dawn’s deep love for this medium makes her a perfect co-host for the 2026 Gayming Awards. And she’s paired with the immensely accomplished Erika Ishii who, along with being an avid video gamer lover themselves, has spent the past few years revolutionizing the industry as a whole. 

“It’s rough out there,” said Ishii, when discussing the experience of trying to get a game made today. “I see a lot of people that I know and love getting [their jobs] gobbled up, not having the kind of security or compensation that they really should be entitled to for how profitable this whole industry is.” It’s an issue they’ve seen firsthand; Erika is a successful voice performer, with audiences recognizing their versatile tone in roles like Atsu in Ghost of Yōtei, Ben-hwa in Date Everything, and Valkyrie in Apex Legends. 

Their status as one of the few openly nonbinary voice actors working today means they understand how difficult it is to bring inclusive games to a wide audience. But while this goal may be extremely difficult, they stressed, “I think that anybody with an authentic message has trouble, in this day and age, getting their work funded…and so any time I see [them trying], it’s a huge inspiration for me. 

Both performers understand not only why gaming is important to the LGBTQ+ community, but also what an accomplishment it is to get an inclusive game distributed. This has always been a struggle for queer developers, and recently, it’s only gotten harder. 

Like any creative industry, the past few years have seen game developers get attacked for any attempt at making their projects inclusive — it’s an issue that Ishii has experienced firsthand in almost every role they’ve inhabited! They’re quick to remind players, though, that this isn’t stopping LGBTQ+ games from getting made, with the performer shouting out projects like Baldur’s Gate 3 for being hugely popular and extremely queer. But despite these successes, there is still a growing issue of distributors refusing to invest in LGBTQ+ projects for fear of bigoted backlash. 

“Not to make everything political…but everything kind of is political!” exclaimed Dawn. “We can’t hide. We can’t not be present in these spaces — even if it might not be the most profitable thing for a corporation at the moment. Because we exist. And we’re never not going to.”

Ishii has been at the forefront of the fight for inclusive gaming, with their reasoning being, “I think this is the biggest f**k you to the oppressors, honestly. [Us] being happy, and just loving the things we love out loud…it’s so important right now!” It’s a sentiment that Dawn cited as the heart of the Gayming Awards, saying, “To be able to put on this show and give out these awards to these people that are working in an industry that might not always be the kindest to LGBT people…it’s so important. [For us] to be visible, to be public.”

With these co-hosts at the helm, there’s no chance that the 2026 Gayming Awards won’t be a fun, affirming space for all. And to all the nominees and everyone thinking of attending, Ishii affirmed, “Life is so hard. But with your hard work, and the way that you put yourself and your art out there…you are creating change. You’re making the world better. And I am so grateful that we get to live in this time where we can create and enjoy art that is truthful [like yours].”

Words of gratitude that so many queer creators deserve to hear right now. And, with Dawn and Erika Ishii as co-hosts, it’s a gratitude that will drive the Gayming Awards and make it not only a fun evening for fans, but a transformative night of love for the many LGBTQ+ people shaping the gaming industry today. 

The Gayming Awards 2026 returns June 8th on WOW Presents Plus. 

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Gaming

Gayming Awards 2025 to air globally on WOWPresents Plus

Fifth annual celebration of LGBTQ+ gaming excellence returns in July 2025 celebrating Pride in Gaming.

Published

1 year ago

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February 18, 2025

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Gayming Awards 2025 featured image

Gaymers, unite!

The Gayming Awards, the world’s only LGBTQ video game awards show is back for its fifth year and will be broadcast exclusively on World of Wonder’s WOW Presents on Tuesday, Jul. 8th.

Nominations are now open in 13 categories. Two new categories have been added for this year: LGBTQ+ Voice Actor of the Year and Community Impact Award. These categories are designed
to celebrate the achievements and contributions of LGBTQ+ voice actors and groups or
individuals who have contributed positively to the LGBTQ+ video game community over the past year.

The full 13 categories of the Gayming Awards 2025 are as follows:

● Game of the Year
● Gayming Magazine Readers’ Award
● Gayming Icon Award
● Industry Diversity Award
● Community Impact Award
● Authentic Representation Award
● Best LGBTQ+ Character Award
● Best LGBTQ+ Indie Game Award
● LGBTQ+ Voice Actor of the Year Award
● LGBTQ+ Content Creator of the Year Award
● LGBTQ+ Streamer Rising Star Class
● Best LGBTQ+ Contribution to Esports Award
● LGBTQ+ Geek Entertainment of the Year Award – sponsored by MyNerdLife

Last year, over 1.4 million people watched the Awards, spread out over the live broadcast and social media clips. The move to WOW Presents Plus is huge and ensures visibility for all.

Robin Gray, Gayming Magazine & Gayming Awards Founder, said: “From the very beginning,
we’ve always sought to establish the Gayming Awards as a key cultural moment and with the
Gayming Awards 2025 broadcasting on the biggest and best LGBTQ+ streaming platform, I’m
thrilled to see this journey take its next big step. At a time where LGBTQ+ rights and culture are being erased, the Gayming Awards stand proudly and firmly as a key beacon of hope in uplifting, celebrating and uniting our community through the power of video games. A huge
thank you to World of Wonder for believing in our mission and giving us this awesome platform.”

Nomination submissions are now OPEN in nine of these 13 categories – to have your say, head
to gaymingawards.com and submit your favorites for consideration.

For more information on everything Gayming Awards, head to gaymingawards.com and follow
Gayming Magazine on all socials @gaymingmag

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Gaming

15 LGBTQ+ gaming characters and their social impact

Approximately 1 in 5 gamers identify as LGBTQIA+

Published

1 year ago

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February 17, 2025

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Gaming Graphic from Mobile Premier League

Last year, GLAAD’s Gaming Report shared that one in five active gamers identify as LGBTQ+. Even with such a large demographic of niche gamers, the gaming industry has less than 2% of queer representation in characters or storylines. Still, the gaming industry remains one of the top powerhouse forces in the entertainment industry with global revenue exceeding filmed entertainment and recorded music combined.

When a single queer character can generate 1.5 million Instagram posts, it sends a powerful message to developers and publishers that authentic LGBTQ+ representation drives engagement, builds community, and creates lasting cultural impact. Social media data doesn’t lie. These queer characters are not just being tolerated, they are being celebrated as figureheads, creating queer fellowship through fan art, message boards, and posts. The gaming industry can no longer ignore the need of including queer characters in their products. It isn’t just about diversity, it is about spending dollars and social media popularity. The data can’t be ignored.

Despite the lack of representation, the younger generation of queer gamers are forging a strong voice. The Gen Z generation continues to engage in more time gaming than watching traditional television. Gen Z’ers are also becoming the voice of social media and LGBTQ+ gamers are responsible for millions of social media interactions when it comes to video games.

90% of Gen Z engage with video games in some form and 22.3% of Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ+. Mobile Premier League, a leading gaming platform in the US, just completed an analysis using Instagram hashtag data to determine the fifteen LGBTQ+ gaming characters who have made the most significant impact on players and the industry.

Here are the leading queer characters on Instagram and their social impact:

1. Athena (Borderlands)

Identity: Lesbian

With approximately 1.5 million Instagram posts, Athena serves as one of gaming’s most celebrated LGBTQ+ characters. Fans consider her relationship with Janey Springs to represent an authentic lesbian experience that is complex and has a place in the action-packed narrative. Her sexuality is just a natural part of who she is, and not done with pomp and circumstance. Her character is deemed as transcending stereotypes.

2. Tracer (Overwatch)

Identity: Lesbian

Garnering over 800,000 Instagram posts, Tracer’s sexuality was revealed in the franchise’s holiday comic. Her relationship with Emily proved that heroes can come from all identities. Tracer’s storyline was been integrated naturally into the overall story. She has become a symbol of inclusion in the competitive world of gaming.

3. Ellie Williams (The Last of Us)

Identity: Lesbian

With nearly 400,000 Instagram posts, Ellie’s relationship with Dina won gamers over with the positivity and energy of young love amid difficult situations. Their storyline resonates with gamers and again, her sexuality is a natural part of the story.

4. Ciri (The Witcher)

Identity: Bisexual

Approaching 350,000 Instagram posts, the character of Ciri shows how fantasy can easily incorporate queer representation. Gamers are attracted to her strong character and find themselves reflected in her journey.

5. Soldier 76 (Overwatch)

Identity: Gay

With over 330,000 Instagram posts, Soldier 76 breaks down stereotypes regarding older gay male characters in the gaming world. The backstory of his relationship humanizes this hero and challenges the norm as to what a strong leader in the military can be.

6. Alphys (Undertale)

Identity: Bisexual

Generating over 267,000 Instagram posts, Alphys deals with themes of anxiety and self-discovery. She is the nervous, cool geek that gamers can associate with. Her character has also led celebrations of body diversity in the gaming world.

7. Max Caulfield (Life is Strange)

Identity: Bisexual

With more than 170,000 Instagram posts, Max has become a major figurehead regarding bisexual representation. Sexual fluidity is explored and reflects the lack of labels that Gen Z’ers adhere to. Players have the choice to explore Max’s identity and, in turn, can explore their own self-discovery.

8. Eivor (Assassin’s Creed)

Identity: Bisexual

With over 116,000 Instagram posts, the character of Eivor has made significant progress in representation in major blockbuster games. Gender roles in historical situations are explored and players can choose romance options. This sends a signal to other major game titles that sexuality can be explored.

9. Bridget (Guilty Gear-Strive-)

Identity: Transgender

With approximately 115,000 Instagram posts, Bridget’s journey as a transgender character has incited major conversations regarding gender identity. Her character has had an evolution over multiple games, ultimately coming out as trans.

10. Leliana (Dragon Age: Origins)

Identity: Bisexual

Generating nearly 48,000 Instagram posts, Leliana’s character in Dragon Age explores themes of religion and queer identity. With so many of the queer community negatively affected by religion, this game explores the idea that spirituality and queer identity can both exist.

11. Tiny Tina (Borderlands 2)

Identity: Lesbian

With over 41,000 Instagram posts, Tiny Tina represents youthful LGBTQ+ representation. Her coming out was matter-of-fact, and not made sensational. This natural integration of sexuality in the game is a step towards normalizing queer identity in the gaming world.

12. Zagreus (Hades)

Identity: Bisexual Polyamorous

With around 34,000 Instagram posts, Zagreus celebrates bisexuality and polyamory. The younger generation is ready for more diverse portrayals and open exploration of love and sex.

13. Dorian Pavus (Dragon Age: Inquisition)

Identity: Gay

With 18,000 Instagram posts, Dorian’s story resonates with queer folk who have been rejected by their family. It addresses the reality that many queer people face and the fear that many have in coming out for fear of losing their family.

14. Alex Chen (Life is Strange: True Colors)

Identity: Bisexual

Generating nearly 12,000 Instagram posts, Alex Chen celebrates both Asian culture and bisexuality. Her empathic powers reflect her sexual fluidity in being emotionally intelligent. This also shows the power of intersectionality.

15. FL4K (Borderlands 3)

Identity: Nonbinary

With over 10,000 Instagram posts, FL4K has become an AI patron saint to the nonbinary community. This character has sparked a lot of conversation about identity and expression. The popularity of FL4K has encouraged other game makers to include non-binary representation in their products.

The demographics of gamers are changing and the queer contingent has gained an instrumental voice in making major changes in a previously historically heteronormative genre.

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