There are some events you attend because they’re on your calendar.
Then there are events that remind you exactly why you love this industry.
The 2026 Gayming Awards was the latter.
As I stepped onto the red carpet at The Vermont Hollywood, it was immediately clear that this was much more than an awards show. It was a celebration of community, creativity, visibility, and the people who continue to push gaming and entertainment forward while making space for LGBTQ+ voices around the world.
This year, I had the privilege of hosting the red carpet on behalf of New Hollywood Magazine and NH Spotlight Tonight, and from the moment the cameras started rolling, the energy was electric.
What made the evening especially memorable was the opportunity to reconnect with so many familiar faces. Between interviews, laughter, and conversations on the carpet, it felt less like an industry event and more like a reunion of creators, performers, storytellers, and changemakers who genuinely enjoy seeing one another succeed.
From RuPaul’s Drag Race favorites Trinity The Tuck, Farrah Moan, Acacia Forgot, to gaming industry leaders, content creators, voice actors, and influencers, the carpet was filled with people who are actively shaping the future of queer entertainment.
Click to see who stunned the carpet
Every conversation carried the same theme: representation matters, community matters, and there has never been a more exciting time to be part of this space.
Inside the venue, that energy only continued to grow.
Hosted by Erika Ishii and Dawn, the 2026 Gayming Awards delivered a night full of celebration, humor, unforgettable moments, and heartfelt speeches that reminded everyone why these awards continue to hold such significance. At a time when conversations around inclusion and visibility remain as important as ever, the Gayming Awards continues to provide a platform where LGBTQ+ creators, gamers, and industry professionals are not only welcomed but celebrated.
One of the most powerful moments of the evening came when Darion Lowenstein received the Rebecca Heineman Gayming Icon Award, recognizing his lasting contributions to LGBTQ+ representation and his commitment to uplifting queer gamers everywhere. What a wonderful soul to meet that night and I definitely can’t wait to see what he does next. (And he’s pretty good-looking).
The night also celebrated groundbreaking achievements across gaming and content creation. South of Midnight earned Game of the Year honors, while Date Everything! captured both Best LGBTQ+ Indie Game and the Gayming Fan Favorite Award. Jennifer English was recognized as LGBTQ+ Voice Actor of the Year, while Trixie Mattel received the inaugural LGBTQ+ Content Creator Superstar Award for her continued impact on queer visibility and culture.
The celebration extended beyond awards.
Live performances from Dawn, Kerri Colby, Joey Jay, Rock M Sakura, and other talented performers transformed the evening into an experience that felt equal parts awards show, community gathering, and celebration of queer excellence.
Perhaps what impressed me most was the sheer scale of support surrounding the event. More than 250 industry professionals, creators, celebrities, gaming influencers, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s nominees and winners. The room was filled with people who believe in creating spaces where everyone can see themselves represented.
That feeling is difficult to describe unless you’ve experienced it firsthand.
The Gayming Awards has grown into far more than a ceremony. It has become a statement. A reminder that LGBTQ+ gamers, creators, streamers, developers, voice actors, and storytellers deserve to be recognized for their contributions to an industry that continues to evolve because of their presence.
As the evening came to a close and guests filtered into the after-party, there was one thought I couldn’t shake.
The future of queer gaming and geek culture is incredibly bright.
If the passion, talent, and innovation on display throughout the evening are any indication, the next generation of creators is already preparing to take things even further.
For those who couldn’t attend, the good news is that the celebration is far from over.
The 2026 Gayming Awards is now streaming exclusively on WOW Presents Plus, and trust me when I say this: you’ll want to experience it for yourself.
After spending the evening interviewing nominees, winners, performers, and industry leaders, one thing became crystal clear.
The Gayming Awards isn’t just recognizing the future.
It’s helping create it.
And after a night like this, I can confidently say I’ll be back next year.
The 2026 Gayming Awards is streaming now on
Follow @gaymingmag for the latest updates, winners, and community initiatives supporting LGBTQ+ gamers around the world.
For more exclusive red carpet coverage, celebrity interviews, NH Spotlight features, and entertainment news, follow @newhollywoodmagazine and subscribe to New Hollywood Magazine.
Because the future of entertainment belongs to the people bold enough to create it.
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