The Rainbow Project announces winners of inaugural Velma Awards

Last week, the Rainbow Project, an organization dedicated to “queer storytelling in order to produce positive mirroring for a new generation,” announced the launch of the Velma Awards initiative. Today the organization announced the winners of the inaugural edition of the Velma Awards.

Founded by industry veterans Chris Nee, Kristi Reed, and Jeremy Blacklow, the organization selected fourteen winners were selected based on recommendations from fellow LGBTQ+ industry members working in the kids and family space across different categories. Each honoree highlights achievements in storytelling that present positive mirroring and illustrate the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ youth and their families.

In a statement, Blacklow offered the following on the importance of queer representation:

“This brave and daring effort that kids programming creators are making across this industry is a uniquely challenging thing, especially in an era where there are so many people fighting to take away our community’s rights. When trans people are under attack in this country every day and have become political pawns instead of human beings, yes, representation matters more than ever.”

Reed further added:

“We wanted a spotlight on these shows that manage to get LGBTQ+ representation out there in one way or another, and help raise these voices to show that there is an audience for this. The Rainbow Project’s mission statement is all about spotlighting the courageous — the courage of an artist to create positive mirroring for a new generation.”

Among the winners is an episode of Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur tackling the issue of trans athletes in sports that was reportedly pulled by Disney.  

Complete list of Velma Award winners below:

Legacy Award

Steven Universe (Cartoon Network)

Most Impressive Indie Innovator

Queer Kid Stuff (YouTube)

Best Queer Show You Wish Existed When You Were Growing Up

Heartstopper, Season 3 (Netflix)

Best Old World Show With New World Thinking 

Danny Joe’s Tree House (YouTube)

Best Episode (Period!) That Also Never Saw the Light of Day

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, “The Gatekeeper” (Disney Channel)

Best Episode for Storytime with Drag Queens

The Bravest Knight, “Cedric & the Three Ogres” (Hulu)

Best New Nonbinary Cast Member

The Fairly Odd Parents: A New Wish, Wellsington Hotellsington (Nickelodeon)

Best Guest Star Extravaganza

Monster High, “Monster Fest” Halloween Special (Nickelodeon)

Best Celebration of the Complex Queer Family Tree

Firebuds, “Balancing Act” (Disney Junior)

Best Requited Queer Crush

Primos, “Summer of Heart Eyes” (Disney Channel)

Best Queer Relationship That’s Just a Plain Ol’ Relationship

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory!, Season 2 (Netflix)