Our History
GALECA began as a conversation among a small but passionate group of LGBTQ film and television critics who knew their perspective mattered—and deserved a larger platform.
In 2008, that idea took shape when GALECA was formed as the Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, officially launching the following year. With roughly 20 charter members, including founder and first executive director John Griffiths, the organization set out to celebrate not only great entertainment, but also what LGBTQ critics uniquely bring to the cultural conversation around media, storytelling, and representation.
By 2010, GALECA introduced the Dorian Awards, honoring the year’s best in mainstream and niche film and television through a distinctly LGBTQ lens. From the start, the Dorians stood apart—recognizing excellence, championing underrepresented stories, and spotlighting work that resonates deeply within the community.
As GALECA grew, so did its mission. In 2017, the organization rebranded as GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, a name that better reflected its inclusive values and the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities it represents. That same year, GALECA became a charter member of Critics for Equality in Media (CGEM), joining forces with other underrepresented journalism groups to advocate for equity across the industry.
The Dorian Awards continued to evolve. In 2018, they expanded into separate Film and Television ceremonies, aligning with the Oscars and Emmys and further solidifying GALECA’s place in the awards landscape.
During the pandemic years, GALECA adapted creatively (and with the help of gay talk show host Charles "Karel" Bouley) produced three Dorians Awards Toasts streaming specials. These events featured appearances by major stars and original content, keeping the community connected during a challenging time.
In 2023, The organization launched the Crimson Honors Scholarship, supporting aspiring college student journalists from underrepresented backgrounds, and introduced the Dorian Theater Awards, celebrating excellence on Broadway and Off-Broadway for the group’s first time.
Today, GALECA has grown to more than 500 members, representing LGBTQ journalists from a wide range of respected media outlets. What started as a small collective has become a powerful, influential voice in entertainment journalism—one that continues to champion representation, respect, fair pay, and opportunity.
Through its awards, advocacy, and ever-expanding community, GALECA remains committed to uplifting LGBTQ perspectives and reminding the world of the profound cultural impact of queer voices in entertainment.
A Word From Our Founder:
About six years into GALECA’s existence, our group’s choice for best film was 12 Years a Slave. Online trolls took the time to post comments like: “What’s gay about that movie??!,” "Who caaaaares what homo critics think?,” and, "Seriously - I have no issues with gays…What I have an issue with is having everything be about gays...Get over it already for Christ sake . . . should we have an OVERWEIGHT CRITICS AWARD??? Sheesh.”
Sheesh indeed. When I first dreamed up GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics and the Dorian Awards in 2008, I was excited by the idea of reminding the world that the LGBTQ community has broad tastes that extend far beyond stories about us. In fact, we have a unique, even cherished, history of shaping pop culture at large. As with many marginalized cultures, we have a distinct take on entertainment born, at least in part, of oppression, otherness, loneliness, and persecution. Tales of triumph over tragedy, exposes of shocking injustices, juicy melodramas, unsinkable and offbeat stars, gallows humor, and campy “hoots”—they all resonate deeply with our people.
Fueled by that passion, queer folks—professional journalists included—tend to really get the word out about the stars and titles we love (or don’t). See also: “Influencers,” "Tipping point,” “Big gay following.” We need organizations like GLAAD to celebrate queer voices and stories. But, I think anyway, it’s important to champion the expert Q+ eye on more than clothes and hairdos.
I’m obviously not alone. We started out with about 20 members naming their favorite films and TV shows of 2009. Today, more than 570 qualified entertainment critics, editors, reporters and radio/TV segment producers participate in an (uh, oh) inclusive entertainment journalists organization with industry-wide appreciation and a humble, but always growing, fan base. New members trumpet how thrilled they are to join, appreciating our standing, mission and strong roster of journalists they’ve admired over the years.
Olivia Newton-John taking time to present the Campiest TV Show—with a knowing giggle—in one of our Dorian Awards Toast streaming specials. Charo cucchi-cooing, castanets and all, to announce the Campiest Flick winner in another. Dorian winners like Jane Fonda, Sir Ian McKellen, Lisa Kudrow, Richard E. Grant and Timothée Chalamet sending us wonderfully warm notes of appreciation. Whatever cynicism I may have about “Hollywood,” I’ve also got lots of great anecdotes and antidotes to counter that.
Entertainment awards can be silly ego battles, or—as the stellar souls who’ve volunteered to help run GALECA all these years know well—they can have purpose. It’s easy to envision a teen pushed around at school, then kicked out of their home and onto the streets, all for being gay or trans or queer. But imagine that teen watching TV at a shelter, seeing a cool star cheering about their Dorian Award because everyone knows the LGBTQ community has such a powerful love for entertainment–and they’ve got amazing taste. The idea of that kid saying, “Yeah, we do,” is what this has been all about.
— John Griffiths, 2025
Why We’re Here
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Leading The Way
We’re here to show that LGBTQ+ perspectives have long been ahead of the curve in spotting film, TV, and theater even when the world (and sometimes our own communities) missed it.
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Critique That Counts
We support our writers thoughtful criticism because stories and pop culture actually matter. They shape how we see the world, influence culture, and deserve attention from voices that care.
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Support & Community
We’re here to provide connection and career support for critics navigating an ever-changing media landscape especially in an age where so much of our beloved media is dissapearing.
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Voices That Matter
We hype up critics and entertainment journalists who are too often overlooked. Advocating for true access, and respect is top of mind. Aspiring journalists still in college can check out our Crimson Honors program for guidance and opportunities too!
Good To Know
GALECA is a tax-exempt 501(c)(6) nonprofit run by a Board of Directors and an Executive Director, all of whom are volunteers. Together, and with input from our members, they set GALECA’s policies, priorities, and budget. We take transparency seriously—any member can request financial records or access to bank statements to review them at any time.
Our Dorian Awards are voted on completely democratically. During the nominating round, members pick their top three choices in each category, then select a single winner in the final round. Members can also request all Dorian Awards voting records to see how the process works.