Excellence in Journalism Awards
THE NOMINATION WINDOW FOR THE 2026 AWARDS IS NOW CLOSED.
The NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists Excellence in Journalism Awards were established in 1993 to foster and recognize excellence in journalism on issues related to the LGBTQ+ community.
The Excellence in Journalism Awards are open to anyone, including non-members and journalists who do not identify as LGBTQ+. The 2026 awards recognize work produced in 2025. Initial publication/broadcast must have occurred between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. Contestants may enter as many categories as desired, and may submit as many entries per category as desired. Each entry requires a separate entry fee unless otherwise specified for an individual award category. Please refer to the FAQ Section for more information.
Categories
Special Recognition Awards
Journalist of the Year
This category honors an LGBTQ journalist whose exceptional abilities, integrity and distinctive work brought honor to the profession within the past year. This award is not restricted to coverage of LGBTQ issues. Entries should include no more than five (5) pieces of the individual’s body of work and/or a statement of personal accomplishment. Submissions must follow the appropriate entry format rules as described above for writing, TV, radio, online or photojournalism.
Sarah Pettit Memorial Award
This is a body of work award recognizing the contributions of an individual journalist within an LGBTQ media publication.
The Al Neuharth Award for Investigative Journalism
This award recognizes the person or team who best uses innovative approaches for investigative reporting; selection is based on the quality and creativity of the work submitted. Accepted media: any digital medium, including online, on air, photography, and video; the entry may be a single piece or a series on a single topic.
**NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists membership required for entry. There is no cost for entries.
Print/Online Awards
Excellence in Book Writing
Self-published books are only eligible if the publisher publishes the work of multiple authors. Books through services such as iUniverse are not eligible. PDF submissions preferred. Nomination form completed online with title and ISBN. Contact awards@nlgja.org if a digital submission is not possible.
Excellence in Critique Writing
This category recognizes outstanding critical commentary on subjects relevant to the LGBTQ+ community, including reviews of arts, culture, media, or social issues. Submissions should demonstrate insightful analysis that goes beyond summary, strong craftsmanship and creativity in writing, clear relevance to LGBTQ+ people, issues, or representation, and a compelling voice that elevates the work. Entries must be a single article or a closely planned and related series or package on a single subject. Full websites, blogs, and unconnected articles are not applicable.
Excellence in Feature Writing
This category honors exceptional feature writing distinguished for its crafting, creativity, and economy of expression. A feature article, unlike newswriting, should focus on a person, event, or aspect of a major event. If not published daily, it should be entered in the Non-Daily category. Submissions must be a single article or a closely related series/package on one subject. Full websites, blogs, and unconnected articles are not eligible.
Excellence in Feature Writing, Non-Daily
This category honors exceptional feature writing distinguished for its crafting, creativity, and economy of expression. A feature article should focus on a person, event, or aspect of a major event. “Non-Daily” refers to the publication frequency. If published daily, the entry should go in the Feature Writing category. Submissions must be a single article or closely related series/package on one subject. Full websites, blogs, and unconnected articles are not eligible.
Excellence in Food Writing
This category recognizes outstanding coverage of food or food-related issues. Entries may be a one-time article or a series. Submissions must follow standard entry format rules for writing, TV, radio, digital, or photojournalism. Entries must be a single article or a closely related series/package on one subject. Full websites, blogs, and unconnected articles are not eligible.
Excellence in Long Form Journalism
This category honors exceptional long-form articles in print or online publications, reporting on current and relevant events. Long-form submissions must have a clear narrative, be accurate, well-researched, and not autobiographical or memoir-based. Entries must be a single article or a closely related series/package on one subject. Full websites, blogs, and unconnected articles are not eligible.
Excellence in Newswriting
This category honors exceptional newswriting in a print or online publication, reporting on current and relevant events. Submissions must be a single article or a closely related series/package on one subject. Full websites, blogs, and unconnected articles are not eligible.
Excellence in Newswriting, Non-Daily
This category honors exceptional newswriting in a non-daily print or online publication, reporting on current and relevant events. Submissions must be a single article or closely related series/package on one subject. Full websites, blogs, and unconnected articles are not eligible.
Excellence in Photojournalism
Photojournalism is the art or practice of communicating news by photographs. Submissions must include photographic content and a short caption at most. Entries must be PDFs or image files (JPEG/TIFF) that work across operating systems. Captions may be embedded or submitted separately. Submissions must be a single image or a closely related set of images (series/package on one subject).
Excellence in Profile Writing
This category recognizes outstanding profiles, either one-time or an ongoing series, in narrative or Q&A format. Entries must follow standard format rules for writing, TV, radio, digital, or photojournalism. Submissions must be a single article or a closely related series/package on one subject. Full websites, blogs, and unconnected articles are not eligible.
Excellence in Sports Writing
This category honors exceptional sports writing in a print or online publication. Submissions should cover an athlete, game, or sporting event. Entries must be a single article or closely related series/package on one subject. Full websites, blogs, and unconnected articles are not eligible.
Excellence in Student Journalism
This category recognizes outstanding work by a student for a campus or student news organization. Unpublished manuscripts, classroom exercises, and unaired broadcasts do not qualify.
*NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists members in this category can enter for zero cost, non-members pay a $15 entry fee.
Excellence in Travel Writing
This category recognizes outstanding coverage of travel or travel-related issues. Entries may be a one-time article or a series. Submissions must follow standard format rules for writing, TV, radio, digital, or photojournalism. Entries must be a single article or a closely related series/package on one subject.
Digital Awards
Excellence in Blogging
This category honors creative use of the Internet to deliver LGBTQ content, and is restricted to material produced exclusively for the Internet. Entries must be from an independent outlet and not part of a large media outlet. Sites solely promoting political advocacy are ineligible, though opinion work is acceptable. Submissions must be a single blog post or closely planned and related series or package on a single subject. Podcast blog posts are acceptable. Full websites, blogs and unconnected posts are not applicable. Submissions should include the working URL for each post and the title of the post, series or package.
*NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists members in this category can enter for zero cost, non-members pay a $15 entry fee.
Excellence in Digital Video
This category recognizes outstanding video produced for digital channels be it for the web, mobile or for social media. Submissions must be a single segment or closely planned and related set of videos. Electronic submission is required. Contact Awards@nlgja.org for large file submission guidelines.
Excellence in Multimedia
This category honors use of the Internet, video, slide show, or other media to deliver LGBTQ content, and is restricted to material expressed using more than one media. Examples include a mainstream newspaper’s LGBTQ-themed section, or online news outlet, etc. Sites solely promoting political advocacy are ineligible, though opinion work is acceptable. Submissions must be a single story or closely related set of stories, such as a series or package on a single subject. Submissions should include the working URL for each post and the title of the post, series or package. Contact Awards@nlgja.org for large file guidelines.
Excellence in Online Journalism
This category honors creative use of the Internet to deliver LGBTQ content, and is restricted to material produced exclusively for the Internet. Entries may be from an independent outlet or a large media outlet. Sites solely promoting political advocacy are ineligible, though opinion work is acceptable. Submissions must be a single post or closely planned and related series or package on a single subject. Full websites, blogs and unconnected posts are not applicable. Submissions should include the working URL for each post and the title of the post, series or package.
Editorial Awards
Excellence in Column Writing
This category recognizes an outstanding columnist. This could be for a one-time column or a body of work.
Excellence in Opinion/Editorial Writing
This category honors exceptional opinion and editorial writing on a print or online newspaper. Opinion/editorial writing submissions should be limited to articles that express an opinion on a topical issue. Submissions must be a single article or closely planned and related series or package on a single subject. Full websites, blogs and unconnected articles are not applicable. Submissions should include the working URL or upload (.pdf, .jpg, or similar file type) for each article and the title of the post, series or package.
Broadcast Awards
Excellence in Documentary
This category recognizes outstanding feature length video produced for stand-alone distribution. Submissions must be a single video segment. A full newscast or multiple unconnected articles are not applicable. Electronic submission is required. Contact awards@nlgja.org for large file submission guidelines.
Excellence in Local Television
This category recognizes outstanding video produced for local distribution. Entries are considered “Local Television” if they are first broadcast on a single station or network affiliate. Submissions must be a single segment or closely planned and related set of segments, such as a series or package on a single subject. A full newscast or multiple unconnected articles are not applicable. Electronic submission is required. Contact awards@nlgja.org for large file submission guidelines.
Excellence in Network Television
This category recognizes outstanding video produced for national distribution. Entries are considered “Network Television” if they are produced for a national audience, whether distributed by network, cable or syndication. Submissions must be a single segment or closely planned and related set of segments, such as a series or package on a single subject. A full newscast or multiple unconnected articles are not applicable. Electronic submission is required. Contact awards@nlgja.org for large file submission guidelines.
Excellence in Podcasts
This category recognizes a one-time or ongoing series of podcasts. If submitting a series, please indicate the episodes and/or timestamps to total 120 minutes maximum to be considered for judging. Electronic submission is required. Contact awards@nlgja.org for large file submission guidelines.
Excellence in Radio
This category recognizes outstanding audio produced for radio distribution. Audio not distributed via radio may be entered as podcast, online journalism, blogging or multimedia. Submissions must be a single segment or closely planned and related set of segments, such as a series or package on a single subject. A full newscast or multiple unconnected articles are not applicable. Electronic submission is required. Contact awards@nlgja.org for large file submission guidelines.
Coverage Awards
Excellence in Bisexual Coverage
This category recognizes outstanding one-time or ongoing coverage of bisexual issues.
Excellence in Business Coverage
This category recognizes outstanding one-time or ongoing coverage of business issues. Submissions should include the working URL for each post and the title of the post, series or package.
Excellence in Education Coverage
This category recognizes outstanding one-time or ongoing coverage of education issues. Submissions should include the working URL for each post and the title of the post, series or package.
Excellence in Health or Fitness Coverage
This category recognizes outstanding one-time or ongoing coverage of a health or fitness issue. Submissions should include the working URL for each post and the title of the post, series or package.
Excellence in HIV/AIDS Coverage
This category recognizes outstanding one-time or ongoing coverage of HIV & AIDS. Submissions should include the working URL for each post and the title of the post, series or package.
Excellence in International Coverage
This category recognizes outstanding one-time or ongoing coverage of international issues. Submissions should include the working URL for each post and the title of the post, series or package.
Excellence in Legal Coverage
This category recognizes outstanding one-time or ongoing coverage of legal/crime issues. Submissions should include the working URL for each post and the title of the post, series or package.
Excellence in Nonbinary and Gender Nonconforming Coverage
This category recognizes outstanding one-time or ongoing coverage of nonbinary and/or gender nonconforming issues. Submissions should include the working URL for each post and the title of the post, series or package.
Excellence in Political Coverage
This category recognizes outstanding one-time or ongoing coverage of political issues. Submissions should include the working URL for each post and the title of the post, series or package.
Excellence in QPOC Coverage
This category recognizes outstanding one-time or ongoing coverage featuring queer people of color. Submissions must be a single article or closely planned and related series or package on a single subject. Full websites, blogs and unconnected articles are not applicable. Submissions should include the working URL for each post and the title of the post, series or package.
Excellence in Religion Coverage
This category recognizes outstanding one-time or ongoing coverage of the intersection of religion/spirituality and LGBTQ issues. Must be a single article or a closely planned and related series/package on a single subject. Full websites, blogs, and unconnected articles not applicable. Submissions should include the working URL for each post and the title of the post, series or package.
Excellence in Theatre Coverage
This category recognizes outstanding one-time or ongoing coverage of theatre arts. Submissions should include the working URL for each post and the title of the post, series or package.
Excellence in Transgender Coverage
This category recognizes outstanding one-time or ongoing coverage of transgender issues.
Packaging Awards
Best Packaging, Print or Online
Awarded to journalists responsible but not publicly credited for production elements of a print or online LGBTQ+ story package. Editing, headlines, graphics, or overall design. Please use 100 or fewer words to indicate which elements you are responsible for and to what extent. Provide the name and contact information of a supervisor who can verify the depth of your involvement.
Best Packaging, Broadcast
Awarded to journalists responsible but not publicly credited for production elements of a broadcast LGBTQ+ story package. Production, captions, graphics, script editing, overall packaging. Please use 100 or fewer words to indicate in your entry which elements you are responsible for and to what extent. Provide the name and contact information of a supervisor who can verify the depth of your involvement.
Timeline
Important Dates
December: Nominations open Dec. 1, 2025.
January: Early-bird pricing ends Jan. 19, 2026; submission fees increase afterward.
March: Nominations close March 1, 2026.
April through May: Judging period.
End of May: Award recipients notified.
June: Recipients announced publicly.
September: Recipients accept awards in person at the NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists National Convention.
FAQs
Who is eligible to enter?
The Excellence in Journalism Awards are open to anyone, including non-members and journalists who do not identify as LGBTQ+.
Board members of NLGJA may enter award categories, but they are prohibited from judging any category in which they have submitted an entry.
What are the entry fees?
- Members: Early Bird – $25, Regular – $50
- Nonmembers: Early Bird – $75, Regular – $100
Save 50% by becoming a member today!
How can I submit entries for the Excellence in Journalism Awards?
Contestants may enter as many categories as desired, and may submit as many entries per category as desired. Each entry requires a separate entry fee unless otherwise specified for an individual award category.
Entries must be accompanied by the correct entry fee. Entries will not be processed and submitted to the judges until payment is received. There is no entry fee for student members entering the student journalism category and a reduced rate of $15 for non-member students.
Each entry may carry up to five (5) individuals’ names, except in the Journalist of the Year Award category and the Sarah Pettit Memorial Award for LGBTQ+ Journalist of the Year category. These categories recognize the accomplishments of an individual journalist.
Please ensure that the name of each entrant is spelled correctly as they should appear on certificates, press releases, etc.
Entries for each category must be submitted electronically. Exceptions may be made based on individual circumstances, please contact awards@nlgja.org for details. Print/online work may be submitted as a URL or as a PDF document. Broadcast categories may be submitted as a URL or uploaded file.
If your entry is behind a paywall or requires a subscription, you must include the password/login credentials. Those who do not provide credentials will not be judged. Entrants will not be notified of such disqualification nor will entry fees be refunded.
Board members of NLGJA may enter award categories, but they are prohibited from judging any category in which they have submitted an entry.
What is the judging process?
- Judges have the right to disqualify entries that do not conform to the contest guidelines or that do not meet the deadline. Entrants will not be notified of such disqualification nor will entry fees be refunded.
- Judges have the right to transfer entries from one category to another based on their reading of the contest guidelines. Entrants will not be notified of such a transfer prior to the announcement of awards.
- Any conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict of interest should be brought to the attention of NLGJA staff.
- Judges have the right to withhold an award if they determine that no entries merit recognition.
How can I become a judge?
All NLGJA members in good standing can volunteer to judge the Excellence In Journalism Awards as a judge. All judges must agree to NLGJA’s Code of Conduct.
The pool of volunteer judges for each award will rate each submission on a number of factors including: Content, Creativity and Execution. Judges can expect the following:
- Review approximately 25-30 entries
- Provide comments and scores to entries based on the guidelines provided
Requirements
- Must have a passion for and professional experience in journalism
- Must be able to commit 10-15 hours to review entries throughout April and May
If interested in serving as a judge, please email awards@nlgja.org.
How does NLGJA’s Code of Conduct pertain to awards?
All NLGJA Awards applicants and judges are obligated to adhere to NLGJA’s Code of Conduct.
NLGJA will not tolerate ANY form of harassment, coercion, intimidation, bullying, threats, bribery, or any other pressure tactics aimed at awards judges, volunteers, board members or staff at any stage of the awards process, encompassing attempts to sway the outcome of a decision.
Any such conduct should be reported to NLGJA staff and/or the governing board. Offenders may face suspension or permanent disqualification from future awards consideration.
Conflicts must be submitted in writing to awards@nlgja.org. NLGJA Awards leadership, board members, and staff will assess and determine the most fitting course of action on a case-by-case basis.
What occurs with the submission once it’s entered?
All submitted work and accompanying materials are non-returnable. All work submitted becomes the property of NLGJA and may be erased after winners are chosen, utilized for promotional materials for the organization, including publications and the website, or stored in NLGJA’s archives for potential use. Occasionally, media organizations may request NLGJA to share a member’s photos or work. NLGJA will agree to this at its discretion unless explicitly declined by the entrant in writing.
Do winners receive any additional benefits or covered expenses?
Yes, award winners will be able to register for the National Convention at a discounted rate. For questions on registration discounts, please contact awards@nlgja.org. Winners are responsible for their own registration, travel, lodging, and all other convention-related expenses.
At the annual National Convention, winners will be recognized during a plenary or reception and receive a trophy (one per category). If the recipient cannot accept the award in person at the convention, NLGJA will cover the shipping expenses for the award. Winners will also receive public recognition in the media and through various channels, including social media, for their achievement.
What is the prize for award winners?
The 2026 Excellence in Journalism Awards plaques will be presented throughout the NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists National Convention in San Francisco September 9-13.
Can NLGJA later rescind an award?
Yes. NLGJA retains the right to revoke any award upon discovering journalistic misconduct, Code of Conduct breaches, NLGJA Awards policy violations, or other malfeasance.
Previous Winners
NLGJA Announces the Recipients of the 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards
Today, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists announced the recipients of its 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards, recognizing exemplary reporting produced in 2024.
Announcing the Recipients of the 2024 Excellence in Journalism Awards
Today, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists announced the recipients of its 2024 Excellence in Journalism Awards and recognized exemplary work produced in 2023. The highest individual awards, Journalist of the Year and Sarah Pettit Memorial Award for the LGBTQ+ Journalist of the Year, have been awarded to Steven Romo and H.L. Comeriato, respectively.
NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists Announces 2023 Excellence in Journalism Award Recipients
FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, July 19, 2023 PRESS CONTACT: Clare LefeburePress@nlgja.org or 202-588-9888 WASHINGTON, DC - Today, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists announced the recipients of its 2023 Excellence in Journalism Awards and recognized exemplary work...