“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, is currently comprised of approximately 240 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 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, GALECA’s Dorian Awards toasts the finest in movies and television across the board—not only “gay stuff.” The awards are named with a wink to our patron saint — the inimitable Oscar Wilde, of course!

GALECA was originally an acronym for “Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association,” but in 2017 we revised our name to underscore our inclusivity. Most GALECA members identify as a member of the LGBTQ-munity, be they lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, though we happily include demonstrably committed ally journalists in our ranks.

OUR LOFTY—AND ENTERTAINING—GOALS

To remind the world—including bullies, bigots and at-risk LGBTQ 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 fellowship, camaraderie and career support in a time of change and uncertainty in the media.

To revel in being different!

ABOUT MEMBERSHIP

GALECA accepts new members June through July, ahead of award season. Those who are interested in joining GALECA must submit five recent pieces of their work from within the two most recent months.

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.

Members must also pay dues (currently $40 per year) and participate in the voting process of our Dorian Awards.

GALECA members are given a strict code of conduct upon joining. The code stresses members must avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest pertaining to membership, and that they must abstain from voting for our Dorian Awards in categories that present a clear conflict as well. By joining, members also acknowledge our Policy on Sexual Harassment, Bullying and Hate Speech (see below).

Bloggers are welcome, provided their site represents their livelihood and is exceptional in legitimacy, presentation and popularity.

For information on academic and college-student memberships, please see Join Us! on this site.

JUST SO YOU KNOW

GALECA, a tax-exempt 501 (c)(6) nonprofit, is guided by a volunteer seven-member Board of Directors and an Executive Director. 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.

You may contact us at info@galeca.org.

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 another is not befitting of a professional organization, especially one that aims to help empower at-risk LGBTQ youth and end LGBTQ-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.