The world’s first awards ceremony about LGBTQ representation in gaming, The Gayming Awards, will be conducted sometime in 2021. Gayming Magazine, an LGBTQ focused gaming magazine, will be handling the event.

Gayming Magazine says that they want to “celebrate the achievements of the global gaming industry in representing and championing the LGBTQ world through video games.”

This is a big move from a relatively new UK publication, which launched last year. The judges will be comprised of over 20 LGBTQ voices around the world and will award most of the game categories. The public will vote on the best LGBTQ streamer and the Gayming Magazine Readers’ Award.

The categories included are:

  • Game of the Year, Authentic Representation Award, Best LGBTQ Character, Best LGBTQ Narrative, Best LGBTQ Indie Game, The Special Recognition Award (for someone who most delivers diversity, outstanding LGBT representation, and inclusion in their games) Industry Diversity Award Best LGBTQ Streamer (decided by the public) Gayming Magazine Readers’ Award (decided by the public)

The readers’ award nominations list will be forwarded to the public by Gayming Magazine’s freelance writers, and you’ll be able to vote in December.

The ceremony will be based on the games of 2020, and the cut off will be on October 31st, 2020. Unfortunately, it’ll be missing out the critical hit releases of November and likely the next-generation console launch line ups. Voting will then be conducted over November and December by the panel and the public.

The awards ceremony will be hosted by Suzi Ruffell, a British stand-up comedian, writer, and actor. British readers might know her from appearances on Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo, and The Jonathan Ross Show. It seems like she has the experience and the stage presence to pull off the hosting role. Let’s hope she’s into video games.

It’s great to know that there will be an awards show that highlights LGBT representation in gaming. The Last of Us Part 2 was a big step for more diverse characters in AAA games, but it would be great to hear those indie voices from 2020 as well. Hopefully, this awards show will showcase them.

Source: Gayming Magazine