“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 career journalists who write on television, film and/or Broadway / Off-Broadway for a variety of media outlets and forms in the U.S. and beyond. 

Formed in 2009 as the Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, GALECA updated its name in 2017 to better reflect our group’s inclusivity. The vast majority of our members count themselves as part of the LGBTQ+ community, though we do include demonstrably committed ally journalists in our ranks on occasion. 

GALECA’s Dorian Awards toast the finest in movies, TV and the New York stage, from mainstream to queer/trans content. Along with traditional categories such as Film of the Year and Best Broadway Musical, we have several trademark contests such as Campiest Flick, Best Unsung TV Show and the Broadway Showstopper Award. Special accolades range from our Timeless Star career achievement award to our LGBTQIA+ Trailblazer honors. 

These two articles about our group do a lovely job of explaining our purpose: “Get to Know GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics,” by journalist Christine Champagne for the Motion Pictures Association’s editorial vertical The Credits; and “Dorian Awards Cast a Queer Eye on Television,” from John Paul King of The Washington (D.C.) / Los Angeles Blade.

Oscar Fever!

Our Dorians are named with a wink to Oscar Wilde (1850-1900), the Irish author, poet and playwright famous for his theatrical 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 our own beleaguered communities—that the LGBTQ+ eye has often lead the way in spotting unique, powerful and exciting film, TV and theater. 

• To champion intelligent, informed and enlightening entertainment criticism, mindful of the often underestimated effect stories and imagery have on society.  

• To provide camaraderie and career support in a time of change and uncertainty in media.

• To lift up critics and entertainment journalists in our most underrepresented segments by pressing for better pay, access and respect. Aspiring journalists in college, please see this website’s Crimson Honors tab. 

Did you know Galeca members write cool books too? You can hear all about them—and enjoy chats with stars, directors and more—on our YouTube channel.

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Applying for Membership

GALECA only accepts new members in March ahead of our Dorian TV Awards and in July ahead of our Dorian Film Awards. GALECA being a 501 c 6 nonprofit professional association, membership is reserved for critics and entertainment journalists who make a living, in full or in part, in media.

Our organization exists in good part to advance career entertainment journalists, advocating for better pay and access for our members and beyond. With our volunteer leadership tending to over 500 participants, we also adhere to our strict criteria out of sheer necessity. That said, we do encourage emerging journalists in the LGBTQ community’s most underrepresented segments to apply.

Journalists interested in joining GALECA may apply by emailing info @ galeca.org. Applicants must submit five pieces of their work (reviews, articles, podcast episodes, audio/video segments) that are each dated within the past three months at the month of submitting. A brief statement, just one or two sentences, on why membership in our group sounds appealing is also required. 

Print magazine journalists may be given some leeway regarding the number of articles submitted. 

Editors, segment producers, et al., may point us to a staff box, bio page or Linkedin page.

Bloggers are advised that their work must be exceptional and distinct in editorial voice, presentation, presence and impact.

To remain active year to year, members must adhere to the above requirements. 

Annual dues are currently $50, waived in cases of financial hardship. 

To join, GALECA members must also agree to vote for our/their Dorian Awards, and acknowledge our codes of conduct (provided at time of acceptance) as well as 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 budgeting. To ensure transparency, all members may request financial records and bank account access to review all statements upon request. 

GALECA members vote on the Dorian Awards in a purely democratic fashion. Members vote their top three choices per category in the nominating round, then their sole choice per category in the final round. To ensure transparency, members may request all Dorian Awards voting records upon request. 

Contact us at info @ galeca.org

 

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