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“I love acting. It is so much more real than life.”—Oscar Wilde
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, home of the annual Dorian Awards, consists of hundreds of professional—as in paid, and not just with respect!—journalists who write on television and film for reputable media outlets in the U.S., Canada, Australia and the U.K.
These outlets run the gamut from magazine to radio, regional to national, trade to consumer, and LGBTQ-centric to mainstream.
Formed in 2009 as the Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, in 2017 GALECA revised its name to better reflect our group’s inclusivity. Most members count themselves as a member of the LGBTQ-munity, be they lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. We also include demonstrably committed ally journalists in our ranks.
GALECA’s Dorian Awards, also formed in 2009, toast the finest in movies and television across the board, from mainstream to queer. Along with traditional categories, we have several trademark contests such as Campiest Flick, Best Unsung TV Show and Most Visually Striking Film. Special accolades range from our Timeless Star career achievement honor to Rising Star to Wilde Wit.
Oscar Fever!
Our Dorians are named with a wink to Oscar Wilde (1850-1900), the Irish author, poet and playwright famous for his “flamboyant” dress and manner, his clever observations, his daring societal commentary—and, via his rebellious spirit, paving the way for LGBTQ activists for years to come.
Wilde’s only novel, 1890’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, is a dark and supernatural tale that took the superficiality of London’s upper-crust to task. Five years later, Wilde found himself imprisoned and put to hard labor for his homosexuality (and more—please know that GALECA does not condone sexual relationships with anyone under 18).
We’re Here
To remind the world—including bullies, bigots and at-risk LGBTQIA+ youth—that our Qmmunity, with its distinct history and perspective, often leads the way in heralding unique, powerful and exciting film and TV.
To champion the art of witty, wise and historically knowledgeable film and TV criticism and entertainment journalism.
To provide camaraderie and career support in a time of change and uncertainty in the media.
About Membership
GALECA generally accepts new members in April ahead of our Dorian TV Awards and July ahead of our Dorian Film Awards.
Entertainment journalists who are interested in joining GALECA must either submit five recent pieces of their work dated within the three past months or, if they are an editor, point us to a staff box. Note: Print magazine journalists may be given some leeway regarding the number of articles submitted.
To remain active year to year, members must be able to show they currently write, report and/or edit pieces about television and/or film for at least one legitimate, paying media outlet. Exceptional bloggers are welcome on occasion.
Members must also pay annual dues, currently $50, and vote for our Dorian Awards.
Upon joining, GALECA members are given strict codes of conduct, including our . . .
Policy on Sexual Harassment, Bullying and Hate Speech
GALECA membership is a privilege. In addition to upholding standards of journalistic quality and ethics, members must also behave ethically by upholding GALECA’s values of respect for human dignity, inclusion, and a supportive environment that fosters creativity. GALECA asks that members embrace their responsibility to affirm these principles and act to intervene when these principles are violated. There is no place in GALECA for people who abuse their status, power or influence in a manner that violates recognized standards of decency.
More specifically, GALECA opposes and requires that members not engage in or have a history of any form of abuse, harassment, sexual harassment or bullying, or discrimination on the basis of gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, disability, age, religion, or other personal characteristics recognized as protected categories by law.
To be clear, a cheeky barb about a film or TV program or performance is one thing; we are entertainment journalists, after all. And activism requires mettle and powerful words: we cherish free speech and bold opinion. But purposely hurtful behavior of any kind toward another is not befitting of a professional organization, especially one that aims to help empower at-risk LGBTQIA+ youth and end LGBTQIA+-phobia.
If any member (including Board members and officers) or employee is found by the GALECA Board, after the opportunity for a fair hearing involving all relevant parties, to have violated these standards or to have compromised GALECA’s integrity by their actions, the Board may take disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion.
This policy includes but is not limited to a member’s conduct with or towards co-workers, assistants, other GALECA members, GALECA social media followers or GALECA.org itself, celebrities and others, whether in public, orally, via email, on social media (including our private Facebook Members Page) or otherwise.
Any complaints about members’ conduct should be directed to a member of our Board.
Also good to know
GALECA, a tax-exempt 501 (c) (6) nonprofit, is guided by a seven-member Board of Directors and an Executive Director, all volunteers. They, with input from the general membership, determine GALECA’s policies, priorities and fiscal accountability.
GALECA members vote on the Dorian Awards in a purely democratic fashion. All members are encouraged to vote their top three choices per category in the nominating round, then their sole choice per category in the final round.
Contact us at info @ galeca.org
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