The results of the Gayming Awards 2026 have been announced, with the ceremony in Los Angeles recognising significant contributions to LGBTQ+ visibility in the video game industry and related media. The top prize, Game of the Year, was awarded to South of Midnight by Compulsion Games and Xbox Game Studios.
The indie dating simulator Date Everything! from Sassy Chap Games and Team17 also had a successful night, securing two awards: Best LGBTQ+ Indie Game and the publicly-voted Gayming Fan Favorite Award.
The ceremony included a poignant moment with the presentation of the Rebecca Heineman Gayming Icon Award to industry veteran Darion Lowenstein. The award was renamed this year to honour the life and legacy of Rebecca Heineman, a pioneering transgender programmer and the award's previous recipient, who passed away earlier this year. Lowenstein was recognised for his long-standing contributions to queer representation in games.
Another special honour, the inaugural LGBTQ+ Content Creator Superstar Award, was presented to Trixie Mattel for her broad impact on queer visibility.
The show was hosted by Erika Ishii and Dawn, and broadcast on the streaming service WOW Presents Plus. The full list of winners reflects a wide range of categories, from individual characters and voice actors to companies and community organisations.
Full List of Gayming Awards 2026 Winners
The awards celebrated achievements across 14 categories, honouring games, creators, and organisations that have championed diversity and inclusion over the past year.
- Game of the Year Award: South of Midnight, Compulsion Games / Xbox Game Studios
- Gayming Fan Favorite Award: Date Everything!, Sassy Chap Games / Team17
- Rebecca Heineman Gayming Icon Award: Darion Lowenstein
- LGBTQ+ Voice Actor of the Year Award: Jennifer English
- Industry Diversity Award: Riot Games
- Community Impact Award: Qweerty Gamers
- Best LGBTQ+ Character Award: Orela Rose, Dead by Daylight, Behaviour Interactive
- Best LGBTQ+ Indie Game Award: Date Everything!, Sassy Chap Games / Team17
- LGBTQ+ Contribution to Esports Award: Team Liquid
- LGBTQ+ Geek Entertainment of the Year Award: Dimension 20: Dungeons & Drag Queens Season 2, Dropout
- LGBTQ+ Content Creator Superstar Award: Trixie Mattel
- LGBTQ+ Content Creator of the Year Award: GhCoffee
- LGBTQ+ Breakout Content Creator Award: WillJinkies
- LGBTQ+ Streamer Rising Star Class of 2026: AceoftheDeadx, Artirie, CYREELism & YouWorshipAngel
The event also served as a fundraiser for the Gayming Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBTQ+ individuals within the gaming industry and community.
