The Critics Choice Association has announced the full slate of honorees for its 3rd annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television, with veteran actor Jane Lynch set to receive the prestigious Groundbreaker Award at the May 29, 2026, ceremony in Los Angeles.

The announcement carves out a significant moment in the industry's awards calendar, dedicated exclusively to recognizing the multifaceted contributions of LGBTQ+ storytellers and performers. This year’s list of honorees, a constellation of talent that includes Dan Levy, Noah Schnapp, and Hannah Einbinder, signals a continued commitment to celebrating narratives that have moved from the margins to the cultural forefront. The event serves not only as an awards ceremony but as a powerful statement on the vitality and necessity of queer representation across the cinematic and televisual landscape, honoring both the pioneers who forged the path and the new voices currently redefining it.

What We Know So Far

  • The Critics Choice Association will host its 3rd annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television on Friday, May 29, 2026, in Los Angeles, according to an official press release from the organization.
  • Jane Lynch will be honored with the Groundbreaker Award, recognizing her decades-long career and influential presence in film and television.
  • Dan Levy is slated to receive the Vanguard Award for his creative work, including the upcoming Netflix series Big Mistakes, as confirmed by AwardsWatch.
  • Noah Schnapp will accept the Breakthrough Performance Award for his portrayal of Will Byers in the global Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things.
  • Other confirmed honorees include actor Hannah Einbinder, writer and actor Paula Pell, and Jacob Tierney, the writer, director, and executive producer of the series Heated Rivalry.
  • The television series Heated Rivalry and Stranger Things are also among the productions being specifically recognized at the event.

Full List of 3rd Annual Critics Choice LGBTQ+ Honorees

The list of those being celebrated this year weaves a compelling narrative of LGBTQ+ talent across generations and genres. The selection of Jane Lynch for the Groundbreaker Award feels particularly resonant. Her career is a cinematic tapestry of unforgettable characters, from the domineering Sue Sylvester in Glee to her scene-stealing roles in Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries. Lynch’s ability to command a scene with acerbic wit and underlying vulnerability has made her an icon, and this award formally acknowledges her role in expanding the possibilities for out actors in Hollywood.