Inside the International Pride Awards and the Fight for Global LGBTIQ+ Equality

Nominations for the International Pride Awards close on 17 April 2026. Follow this link to nominate someone today."

What does it mean for ILGA World to partner with UNDP in this initiative?

Julia Ehrt (J.E.): We are proud to come together with UNDP in honouring  courageous individuals who are paving the way for progress and change for everyone. Through the International Pride Awards, we tell stories how positive change for our movements happen, amplify the voices of LGBTIQ+ communities worldwide, and reaffirm our commitment to building a future where everyone can live in equality and freedom, and can thrive without fear of discrimination.

Could you tell us more about the five award categories for 2026 and how they were chosen?

Jeffrey O’Malley (J.O'M.): The award categories were carefully chosen through discussions between ILGA World, UNDP, and the International Pride Awards team. Each award shines a light on a vital area of LGBTIQ+ equality work, but there is deliberately a bit of overlap between the categories, because every situation is unique and we wanted to make sure that anyone who is doing incredible work for LGBTIQ+ equality can be nominated.

Movement building in the face of hostility: it is important we highlight equality work that is happening under the most horrendous circumstances. LGBTIQ+ people is many places are in grave danger, yet there are visionary heroes in these places supporting LGBTIQ+ communities, advocating for change, and saving lives – often at great risk to themselves.

Celebrating diverse lives: trans, gender diverse, and intersex people face particular challenges, especially in the current climate. We want to shine a light on the incredible work happening for these communities.

Emerging leader: this award seeks the heroes who are innovating, building capacity for tomorrow, and are a huge source of hope and inspiration for us all.

Lifelong pursuit of equality – This award celebrates those who have committed to creating LGBTIQ+ equality and freedom over decades.  They contribute to structural changes over time, which have benefited very many people. 

Extraordinary ally – We can’t do this on our own. There are LGBTIQ+ people in every community, every family, every location.  We can only create equality progress with the support of those around us. This award is for those role models who consistently are there for our communities.

What criteria does the committee follow to select the awardees?

(J.O'M.): 

The activities of the nominee must have positively impacted one or more of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, or queer communities.

In the case of the Protecting trans and intersex lives category, the activities of the nominee must have positively impacted the lives of trans and/or intersex people.

Although the list is not exhaustive, “positively impacted” can mean saving lives; reducing harm; providing support and creating safe spaces; changing attitudes, laws, and regulations; creation or enhancement of protections; reducing inequalities (including financial, work, housing, in education, etc); reducing healthcare inequalities (mental and physical); improving visibility and freedom/equality of expression; creating equal rights to a family life for LGBTIQ+ people. 

The Awards committee will also consider the following when looking at the work of the nominees:

• Sustainable, lasting change
• Replicability/scalability and/or creating a model for others to follow
• Societal influence
• Innovation.

How has the international community responded to these awards so far?

(J.O'M.): The reaction has been incredible.  In 2024, we received nominations from 58 countries and every continent.  The was great, global social media engagement. People found the stories of our 2024 inspiring and heart-warming. It is part of our mission that, by telling the incredible stories of the awardees, we inspire more people to act for equality — whether on a grand scale or with everyday acts of equality and kindness.  We believe that equality is everyone’s responsibility. If everyone did something supportive, inclusive for an LGBTIQ+ colleague, friend, or family member, progress to equality for all would be much faster.

Which recent stories or examples of activism have you found most inspiring?

(J.O'M.): This is an impossible question!  Every nomination we receive for the awards is a story of someone doing something to enhance freedom and equality for others, often in difficult circumstances. Every nominee is a hero in their own right.  At a time when we need hope, more than ever, the International Pride Awards exists to share inspirational stories of hope.  We have to have hope. 

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing LGBTIQ+ people today, and how do the awards help address them?

(J.E.): We may come from very different places, inhabit diverse bodies, or enjoy a variety of flavours on our tables, but most of us care for very similar things: the freedoms to feel safe in our own skin, to go about our lives as our authentic selves, and to keep our families, friends, and communities whole.

And yet, these very simple goals are harder to reach by the minute. In the past few years, people in power have gone all the way to take away our agency over the decisions that impact our lives. For LGBTIQ+ people, it meant seeing governments rolling back equality, recognition and protections, cutting the lifelines of millions, and suppressing the resources that allowed our organisations to care for those whom States leave behind.

But LGBTIQ+ people, as well as feminist and social justice movements, have a history of taking their lives into their own hands. We join forces, roll up our sleeves, and support one another to create a better world for everyone. The International Pride Awards are a way for everyone to say “thank you” to all those equality heroes that refuse to sit idly by and believe that, when we are united in solidarity, a more just world is at reach.