Queerty and Lexus have been recognised among the top three entries in the LGBTQ+ category at the 2026 ANA Multicultural & Inclusive Marketing Excellence Awards. The nod celebrates an annual entertainment awards platform that puts LGBTQ+ creators and culture centre stage, while highlighting why consistent, credible brand support matters.

Essential Takeaways

  • A major industry nod: The Queerties and Lexus placed in the top three of the ANA's LGBTQ+ category.
  • The final result is still to come: The entry will be awarded Grand Prize, Silver or Bronze at the Los Angeles gala.
  • The partnership is long-running: Lexus has continued supporting The Queerties rather than treating inclusion as a one-off campaign.
  • The work centres LGBTQ+ culture: The Queerties celebrates performers, creators and pop-culture figures across entertainment and digital media.
  • Authenticity is the bigger message: The recognition reflects growing scrutiny of whether inclusive marketing creates genuine connection and impact.

The Queerties have earned a place in the winner's circle

The Queerties usually hand out the applause, so this latest moment feels like a pleasing change of scenery. The annual LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop-culture awards, created by Queerty, have been named a top-three finalist alongside partner Lexus in the 2026 ANA Multicultural & Inclusive Marketing Excellence Awards.

That matters because the ANA awards are designed to recognise more than polished advertising. The programme focuses on work that engages audiences meaningfully, respects cultural identity and delivers a real-world effect, according to the Association of National Advertisers.

For a platform built around celebration, visibility and a generous amount of sparkle, the recognition feels especially fitting. It also places LGBTQ+ media and its audiences in a wider conversation about how brands show up when attention moves beyond campaign season.

Why the ANA recognition carries weight

The ANA's multicultural and inclusive marketing awards sit within a broader industry push towards more thoughtful representation. Its awards programmes examine how campaigns connect with distinct communities, rather than simply counting how many diverse faces appear in an advert.

That distinction is important. Inclusive marketing can look bright and effortless from the outside, but the strongest work tends to involve sustained relationships, cultural understanding and a clear reason for existing. The ANA's awards framework reflects that shift by giving weight to relevance, creativity and impact.

The Queerties' top-three placement therefore offers more than a celebratory badge. It suggests that LGBTQ+ entertainment coverage can be a meaningful part of a brand partnership when the work feels rooted in the community rather than pasted on for visibility.

Lexus is betting on consistency, not a one-off splash

Queerty says Lexus has supported The Queerties year after year, a detail that gives the partnership its strongest argument. In a market where some companies have become more cautious about multicultural investment, maintaining a visible LGBTQ+ commitment can be a statement in itself.

Justin Garrett, Queerty's chief revenue officer, said that authentic engagement with LGBTQ+ audiences is commercially valuable as well as socially important. He also stressed that showing up consistently makes the difference, rather than appearing only when a particular season or cultural moment creates an obvious marketing opportunity.

That approach is increasingly relevant for brands. Audiences are quick to notice when a campaign feels temporary, and just as quick to remember when a company supports the same community over time. The ANA's broader awards work similarly emphasises marketing that creates meaningful connections across cultures and communities.

What happens at the Los Angeles gala?

The final placing will be announced at the ANA Awards Gala in Los Angeles on 10 November. The Queerties and Lexus could take home the Grand Prize, Silver or Bronze award, but reaching the final three is already a substantial result.

The announcement also gives the partnership a useful second act. Rather than ending with a nominations post or a single campaign reveal, it creates a public moment around the people, planning and community relationships behind the work.

There'll be a red carpet, naturally, and Queerty's team is already thinking about what to wear. That lighter detail suits The Queerties perfectly: serious recognition, but with enough glamour to keep the whole thing fun.

A useful signal for LGBTQ+ media partnerships

The nomination arrives at a time when LGBTQ+ media remains an important space for creators and audiences looking for stories that mainstream entertainment coverage can overlook. Awards such as The Queerties don't simply rank popular names; they help direct attention towards the people shaping queer culture now.

For brands, the lesson is fairly straightforward. Find a credible partner, understand the audience, invest beyond a single headline and let the community's interests lead the work. The result may be more durable than a short-lived burst of visibility, and it tends to feel better for everyone involved.

Whether the final envelope contains Grand Prize, Silver or Bronze, The Queerties and Lexus have already made the strongest kind of statement: long-term inclusion can be both culturally meaningful and creatively effective.

It's a well-earned moment of recognition, with one more trophy decision still to come.

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