Diva awards return for 2026 with public voting open
The annual DIVA Awards have returned for 2026, inviting readers and supporters to decide which figures and initiatives in the LGBTQIA+ community should be honoured. Launched by activist Linda Riley, the awards have become a key platform for recognising achievements in visibility, activism and culture.
Organisers said the 2026 ceremony, backed by headline sponsor Deutsche Bank, will be the biggest celebration yet of LGBTQIA+ women and gender-diverse people. Public voting is open and will close on 20 March.
What the awards cover
The shortlist spans 13 categories. Categories range from sport and media moments to creators and community initiatives. Nominees include individuals, collectives and projects that organisers say advanced visibility or delivered measurable community impact.
How to vote
Organisers have published the full shortlist online and invited the public to cast votes via the awards’ official website. Voting rules and eligibility criteria are set out on the site, including limits on the number of votes per category.
Why the awards matter
Since their launch, the DIVA Awards have provided a platform for LGBTQIA+ women and gender-diverse people often underrepresented in mainstream recognition. Organisers and past winners say the awards generate media attention and can amplify campaigns, careers and grassroots initiatives.
The awards’ organisers expect further announcements about the ceremony and special guests ahead of the event. Voting closes on 20 March.
What the diva awards represent
The DIVA Awards were established in 2017 to boost queer visibility and recognise the work of LGBTQIA+ women, non-binary people and allies. The event highlights creative projects, grassroots campaigns and public figures who use their platforms for social change. Organisers describe the night as both a celebration and a spotlight: a chance to acknowledge achievements that often receive less attention from mainstream awards.
The awards programme has broadened beyond trophies to include networking opportunities and media exposure for winners and nominees. For many entrants, nomination brings increased reach for advocacy and fundraising efforts. Media coverage of the ceremony also elevates issues affecting the community, from cultural representation to policy debates.
By combining public voting with expert judging, the DIVA Awards aim to balance popular support with sector-specific appraisal. The format encourages community engagement while preserving a quality check by peers and specialists. Voting closes on 20 March, after which organisers will announce shortlisted and winning projects at the ceremony.
Voting closes on 20 March, after which organisers will announce shortlisted and winning projects at the ceremony. The awards have previously honoured artists, activists and cultural moments that shaped public conversations about identity and inclusion.
The magazine behind the event has a long history of producing media by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender-diverse people. The organisation now operates as a registered charity, the DIVA Charitable Trust, and uses the awards both to recognise achievement and to support its community work.
How to vote and important dates
Voting is open to the public via the awards’ official channels. Entrants and nominees are listed on the awards page, where voters can review categories and cast ballots.
Organisers apply verification measures to ensure votes are legitimate. Each submission must meet category rules and eligibility criteria set out on the awards site.
The voting window closes on 20 March. After the close, organisers will verify ballots, publish a shortlist and confirm finalists ahead of the ceremony. Winners will be announced at the event.
For full voting rules, eligibility details and guidance on how to submit a vote, consult the awards’ official website and the magazine’s information pages.
Voting is open through the official DIVA Awards platform. Supporters may select nominees across the 13 categories. Each ballot contributes to determining the final winners, who will be confirmed after votes are tallied and announced at the awards evening. The only immutable deadline is the close of voting on 20 March. Voters should register their choices before that date to ensure their preferences are counted.
Why your vote matters
Votes shape which projects and individuals gain public recognition. That recognition can translate into increased media attention, funding opportunities and institutional support. For emerging artists and small organisations, a visible nomination or win can change their trajectory.
Voting also signals community priorities within the cultural sphere. Collective choices influence which issues and artistic directions receive platforms and resources. The awards thus function as both celebration and indicator of broader trends.
For practical questions about eligibility, voting frequency and technical guidance, consult the awards’ official website and the magazine’s dedicated information pages. Organisers publish the full rules and count procedures there, and results are verified before winners are announced.
Organisers publish the full rules and count procedures on the official DIVA Awards platform, and results are verified before winners are announced. The awards combine public voting with editorial oversight to select recipients who reflect both popular support and sector impact.
DIVA Awards victories can alter trajectories for nominees. For grassroots organisations and smaller creators, a win often translates into increased visibility, access to funding and new collaboration offers. Established figures use the recognition to amplify advocacy and draw renewed attention to causes they champion. Voting therefore functions as a practical mechanism to uplift community voices and help sustain queer media and activism.
Shortlist highlights across 13 categories
The shortlist spans 13 categories that recognise work by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender-diverse people. Nominees include grassroots campaigns, independent creators, advocacy projects and established media figures whose work has shown measurable reach or sector influence.
Key themes among shortlisted entries include community-led organising, intersectional storytelling, mental health support initiatives and campaigns targeting policy change. Several nominees combine creative output with measurable service delivery, such as expanded support networks or demonstrable fundraising outcomes.
Organisers note that wins typically lead to immediate publicity and follow-on opportunities. For many nominees, that post-award attention supports longer-term sustainability, broadens volunteer and donor bases, and opens doors to institutional partnerships.
Shortlist highlights
Following the verification process, the 2026 shortlist spans performers, sportspeople, community groups and media-makers. The selection reflects a range of public and editorial attention across culture, sport and activism.
Nominees for the Media Moment Award include EastEnders’ Suki and Eve adoption storyline and the Lionesses’ Women’s Rugby World Cup Final 2026 moment. The Icon Award field lists artists such as Cat Burns and Miriam Margolyes. The Sport Award includes individual athletes and campaign entrants, among them Football v Homophobia.
Following the sport category, other awards reflect the breadth of contemporary queer life. They cover activism, culture, grassroots organising and workplace inclusion.
The Changemaker Award recognises activists and campaign leaders. The Creator Award celebrates digital and cultural producers. The Community Initiative Award highlights grassroots networks, including London Trans+ Pride and Black Queers Connect.
Additional categories include Diversity Champion, Ally Award, Writer Award, Inspirational Role Model, Innovation Award and LGBTQA+ Network Champion. Each category aims to acknowledge different forms of service and visibility within the community.
Complete shortlist overview
The complete shortlist lists every nominee by category, from high-profile public figures and performers to smaller community groups and tech-enabled initiatives. Organisers ask readers to review the full list before voting so they can weigh impact, representation and achievement across nominees. The candidate pool spans diverse backgrounds, disciplines and geographic reach, reflecting an effort to keep the awards inclusive and representative.
Supporting DIVA and the wider community
Readers can support the movement beyond voting by subscribing to DIVA, donating to the DIVA Charitable Trust, or engaging with the magazine’s coverage throughout the year. The publication highlights work by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender-diverse people and relies on reader support to sustain its journalism and events. Backing queer media helps preserve platforms where underrepresented stories are reported and celebrated.
How to take part in the DIVA Awards
Backing queer media helps preserve platforms where underrepresented stories are reported and celebrated. Participation in the DIVA Awards offers a concrete way to recognise work that increases visibility and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people.
Whether you support a well-known figure, an emerging creator, or a grassroots collective, cast your vote on the awards website. Review the shortlist and submit your choice before the 20 March deadline to ensure it is counted.