The nominations for this year's GLAAD Media Awards have been announced, and for the first time in quite a few years, three daytime drama series received nominations.
The Bold and The Beautiful, Days of our Lives, and The Young and the Restless all received nominations.
"What people see in the media has a powerful impact on how they treat others and the GLAAD Media Awards raise the bar for media to tell LGBTQ stories that accelerate acceptance," said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. "At a time when anti-LGBTQ policies and harassment are on the rise, it is imperative that Hollywood and news media tell more LGBTQ stories that reflect the community's rich diversity -- and build understanding that brings all communities closer together. This year's nominees showcase stories that span races, genres, ages, and geographies, challenge misconceptions, and broaden understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ people across the globe."
The Bold and the Beautiful continues to tell the story of Maya Avant, a transgender woman, wife, mother, and model. In August 2017, Maya was confronted by two men who angrily said Maya was "really a dude." Maya's brother-in-law Zende came to her defense and demanded that the two men apologize.
Days of our Lives has told the story of three gay men -- Will Horton, Sonny Kiriakis, and Paul Narita -- for several years. While their stories may no longer be seen as groundbreaking, the men's stories are treated like any other soap opera characters'. That, in and of itself, is worthy of celebration.
In 2017, The Young and the Restless told the story of Tessa Porter and Mariah Copeland, two women who found themselves drawn to one another -- when neither had ever had feelings for another woman before. Mariah instantly fell for Tessa, but Tessa said that she could not explore her feelings for Mariah because it might compromise her burgeoning music career and her feelings for Noah, a man she loved.
Curiously, General Hospital did not make the cut in spite of having a story about the complicated relationship between Kristina Davis and Parker Forsyth.
The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community and the issues that affect their lives. This year's ceremonies will be held in Los Angeles on April 12, 2018, at The Beverly Hilton, and in New York on May 5 at the New York Hilton Midtown.
Are you pleased with the representation that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender characters have had in daytime over the past year? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.