Javicia Leslie, Other Bisexual, Queer, Lesbian Celebrities, Celebrate The Autostraddle TV Awards

Since 2018, the Autostraddle TV Awards have been designed to recognize and celebrate the very best in queer television—the television shows, writers, makers, and performers that might otherwise be overlooked by mainstream institutions like the Emmys.

Judging the best of our stories is a job the Autostraddle TV team, a group of eight queer television and film critics who have banded together in the industry for years, takes seriously — it’s no longer enough to just have a superficial gay character to show on TV. We strive to celebrate complex, meaningful, fully developed queer storylines and performances across all genres. In our voting process, we also solicit votes from our readers because we believe queer storytelling should connect directly with queer audiences. Now in our fifth year, the Autostraddle TV Awards may not have an in-person ceremony, but when so many other awards continue to overlook groundbreaking LGBTQ+ series and performances, we hope to shed light on queer creators in this industry who deserve to to have their work recognized.

That’s why we were so moved today to see that Javicia Leslie, lead actress of the CW series “Batwoman,” which ended after three seasons earlier this year, took the spirit of our awards to heart! Decked out in a burgundy dress from the comfort of a living room and with an Amherst crystal as a makeshift trophy (let’s talk gay) she filmed a full acceptance speech for her multiple Autostraddle TV Award wins.

Leslie, who is bisexual, created the role of Ryan Wilder in seasons two and three of Batwoman, impersonating television’s first black lesbian superhero with signature wit, charisma and impeccable reach. With Leslie at the helm, Batwoman has received a clean sweep of victory in all Sci-Fi/Fantasy categories (Outstanding Series, Outstanding Lead Actor playing an LGBTQ+ Character – Leslie; Supporting Actor playing an LGBT+ Character – Megan Tandy as Sophie Moore ; and appearance by an LGBTQ+ actor – also for Leslie). It was also a runner-up for best LGBTQ+ themed episode for episode 311, “Broken Toys.”

In her acceptance speech, Leslie Autostraddle thanked: “I didn’t expect that, thank you very much. That’s so stupid. Shout out to Autostraddle that she’s always holding us, always seeing us, and I’m not just talking about Batwoman, I’m talking about all of us in our community out here trying to tell authentic stories. I thank you so much. I honor you and appreciate you.”

She then thanked her mama (Black girls, I love us so much) for surrounding her with protection, abundance and light. She also thanked her fans, the cast and crew of Batwoman. And yes, we are so grateful that Javicia Leslie took the time to give some love back to our small team, but it’s also about something so much bigger – it’s about all of us. Our stories that creep deep inside us and light a candle that other people might not see the value of meaning, the hours that go into the craft because it’s not straight. It’s not cis. It’s not white. But we do, and that’s what matters. We don’t have to turn to straight, white cis institutions to add merit and value to our stories. We have to do this alone.

Sepideh Moafi, The L Word: Generation Q’s Gigi Ghorbani, winner for Outstanding Supporting Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Drama category also took to her Instagram today to celebrate her award win. Inside was a screenshot from one of our writers, Drew Gregory, with words acknowledging their accomplishment. As Gigi, Sepideh Moafi’s performance captured lightning in a bottle. Your celebration today is another reminder that we can choose what matters and create our own little bit of magic.

Alongside the wins of Javicia Leslie and Sepideh Moafi, other actors and talent celebrated their nominations for the fifth annual Autostraddle TV Awards. Each year we have presented these awards we are always so grateful when the nominees share their enthusiasm, but I have to say – this year the commitment exceeded even our own expectations.

It means so much to see that the TV Awards, created to honor and celebrate the work that goes into queer storytelling, is honored by queer talent. It’s a reminder that sometimes we really need to do it for ourselves, because if not, who else? And that awards that come straight from the community they’re meant to serve, queer viewers, don’t have to come with trophies to be meaningful. (Although we’re seriously working on trophies for next year!)

We’ve rounded these up in our virtual office – and you may have seen these calls on our social media over the past few weeks – but we wanted to share them all with you.

Kausar Mohammed (Soraya Khoury, 4400) Nominated for Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actor to Play an LGBTQ+ Character in a Sci-Fi Series

LOVE THIS WHOLE queer femme cast lets go https://t.co/V6IiK47ZGJ

— Kausar Mohammed (@kausartheperson) August 29, 2022

Sepideh Moafi (Gigi Ghorbani, The L Word: Generation Q) Nominee and Ultimate Winner for Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actress Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Drama Series

Wow thanks @autostraddle 🙏🏽💓 https://t.co/HGO6j8VB3I

— Sepideh Moafi (@SepidehMoafi) August 29, 2022

Hailey Kilgore (Laverne “Jukebox” Ganner, Raising Kanan) Santana Lopez Legacy Award Nominee for Outstanding Queer Teen Character

Thank you for this recognition @autostraddle 🤍 https://t.co/MUZmoJeMf9

— HK (@HaileyKilgore) August 29, 2022

Nicole Maines (Nia Nal, Supergirl) Nominated for Outstanding LGBTQ+ Actor in a Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show

😉🌀 https://t.co/LiuNgKQ5H0

— Nicole Maines (@NicoleAMaines) August 30, 2022

Nominated for Mae Martin (Feel Good) for Outstanding LGBTQ+ Director/Writer/Showrunner and Outstanding Lead Actress to Play an LGBTQ+ Character in a Comedy Series

These names are so cute @autostraddle thanks 🙂 https://t.co/2whDPJ6ZSJ

— Mae Martin (@TheMaeMartin) August 30, 2022

ER Fightmaster (Dr. Kai Bartley, Grey’s Anatomy) Nominated for Outstanding Performance by an LGBTQ+ Actor in a Drama

Listen 😈. We love it.

This is an awesome little list https://t.co/q5DPorhhy1

— ER Fightmaster (@GenderlessGapAd) August 30, 2022

Steven Krueger (Ben Scott, Yellowjackets) Nominated for Outstanding Cis Male Character

Anytime my name is on a list with these guys, it’s a hell of a day. That is very cool. Thank you @autostraddle!

— Steven Krueger (@stevenakrueger) August 30, 2022

The Batwoman Writers’ Room (Episode 311, “Broken Toys”) Nominated for Best LGBTQ+-Themed Episode

#Batwoman, @JaviciaLeslie AND @meagantandy nominated???

We love to see it. https://t.co/UIopJaMEPX

— Batwoman Writers Room (@BatwomanWriters) August 30, 2022

Victoria Cartagena (Renee Montoya, Batwoman) Nominated for Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actress to Play an LGBTQ+ Character in a Sci-Fi Series

yeah!!!! That’s the best honor! I’m so hyped! Thanks @autostraddle 🙏🏽❤️ https://t.co/BHdM4ciw7Q

— Victoria Cartagena (@VickiCartagena) August 30, 2022

Jasmine Savoy Brown (Taissa Turner, Yellowjackets) was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Drama Series, Santana Lopez Legacy Award for Outstanding Queer Teen Character and Outstanding Performance by an LGBTQ+ Actor in a Drama

Jordan Hull (Angelica Porter-Kennard, The L Word: Generation Q) was nominated for Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Drama Series and Santana Lopez Legacy Award for Outstanding Queer Teen Character

On behalf of all queer television/film critics behind the Autostraddle TV Awards, we are honored that our annual awards, born out of a deep love for LGBT storytelling on television, are met with an abundance of joy and joy Mentored by the very artists whose work brings our stories to life.

Read about all of our winners! Celebrate our queer television! We’ll update this article with new social media posts as they become available. Congratulations to all nominees and winners! Thank you for making television so important.

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