Last week, Rainbow Project announced the launch of the Velma Awards, an organization dedicated to “creating positive mirrors for new generations through queer storytelling.” Today, the organization announced the winners of the inaugural Velma Awards.
Founded by industry veterans Crisno, Christie Reedand Jeremy Blacklowthe organization selected 14 winners based on recommendations from LGBTQ+ industry members working in the children and family sector across different categories. Each honoree highlighted accomplishments in storytelling that present a positive mirror and showcase the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
In a statement, Blacklow made the following points about the importance of queer representation:
“The courageous and bold efforts that children’s programming creators are making in this industry are a uniquely challenging thing to do, especially in an era when so many are trying to disenfranchise our community. When trans people are in the spotlight every day When this country is under attack and made a political pawn rather than a human being, yes, representation is more important than ever.
Reid further added:
“We want to focus on these shows that can bring LGBTQ+ representation in some way and help elevate those voices to show that there’s an audience out there. The Rainbow Project’s mission statement is all about highlighting the brave people–artists–creating for a new generation. The courage of positive mirroring.
One of the winners was an episode of “Moongirl and the Devil’s Dinosaur” that tackled the issue of transgender athletes in sports, which has reportedly been pulled by Disney.
The complete list of Velma Award winners is as follows:
Legacy Award
Steven Universe (Cartoon Network)
The most impressive independent innovators
Queer kid stuff (Youtube)
The Best Queer Shows You Wish You’d Grown Up
HeartacheSeason 3 (Netflix)
The best old world show with new world thinking
Danny Joe’s Treehouse (Youtube)
The best series (period!) has never seen the light of day
Moon Girl and the Devil Dinosaur“The Gatekeepers” (Disney Channel)
Drag Queen Story Time Best Episodes
the bravest knight“Cedric and the Three Ogres” (Hulu)
Best New Non-Binary Actor
Pretty Weird Parents: A New WishHotellsington (Nickelodeon)
Best Guest Celebrity Banquet
monster high school“Monster Days” Halloween Special (Nickelodeon)
The best celebration of the complex queer spectrum
fire bud, “Balancing Act” (Disney Junior)
Best Response to Queer Obsession
cousin“Summer of the Heart’s Eye” (Disney Channel)
The best queer relationships are just regular relationships
Jurassic World: Chaos Theory!Season 2 (Netflix)
The best wedding before you and your new wife go off to fight the insurgents
The Dragon Prince: The Mystery of AravosThe Red Wedding (Netflix)
Best help my dad propose to my other dad
Let’s go eat bananas “Pandemic/A Very Banana Wedding” (Cartoon Network)
