The Golden Globes nominations for 2024 have been announced, and they’re shining a spotlight on LGBTQ+ representation in the world of film and television. The awards ceremony, set for January 7, 2024, will honor outstanding achievements in the entertainment industry, and this year, LGBTQ+ stories and talent have made a significant impact.
Queer Icons and Outstanding Performances
In the realm of film, biopics celebrating queer icons have received recognition. Netflix’s “Maestro,” based on bisexual composer Leonard Bernstein’s life, secured a nomination for Best Motion Picture. Bradley Cooper, who both directed and starred in the film, earned nominations for Best Director and Best Actor (Drama). Andrew Scott’s heart-wrenching portrayal of screenwriter Adam in “All of Us Strangers” also competes in the Best Actor (Drama) category.
In the same category, Carey Mulligan, who plays Bernstein’s wife Felicia Montealegre, received a Best Actress (Drama) nomination. Oscar winner Annette Bening, portraying Diana Nyad in “Nyad,” a film about the lesbian athlete’s life, also landed a Best Actress nomination. Jodie Foster, another queer actor and former Golden Globes winner, earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Diana’s coach Bonnie Stoll in the same film.
Notable LGBTQ+ Favorites
Fantasia Barrino, known for her role as Celie in the musical adaptation of lesbian novelist Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple,” is included in the Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy category. Additionally, LGBTQ+ favorite “Barbie” secured eight nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor in Musical or Comedy for Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, along with recognition for three original songs.
Todd Haynes’ “May December” received nominations for Best Picture and acting nods for its leads: Charles Melton, Natalie Portman, and Julianne Moore. “Saltburn,” directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan, picked up one nomination for Rosamund Pike as Best Supporting Actress.
Notable Omissions and Snubs
However, some notable LGBTQ+ films from 2023 were missing from the nominations, including Amazon Prime’s “Cassandro” and M. Night Shyamalan’s “Knock at the Cabin” and “Theatre Camp.” Netflix’s biopic “Rustin,” starring Colman Domingo as gay Black civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, earned two nominations for Best Original Song and Best Actor but missed out on the major categories.
In the world of television, Ron Nyswaner’s LGBTQ+ political drama “Fellow Travelers,” starring Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey, received a nomination for Best Limited Series. Amazon Prime’s queer psychological horror series “Dead Ringers” saw Rachel Weisz nominated for Best Actress in a Limited Series. HBO Max’s “The Last of Us,” known for its LGBTQ+ inclusion, scored a nomination for Best TV Series (Drama), and lead star Pedro Pascal earned a nomination for Best Actor in a TV series (Drama), alongside non-binary co-star Bella Ramsey.
Lesbian comedian Wanda Sykes received a nomination in the Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy or Television category for her Netflix special “Wanda Sykes: I’m an Entertainer.”
Notable Omissions in Queer TV
Despite some LGBTQ+ nods, there were also notable snubs for 2023’s best queer TV shows. While “Fellow Travelers” received recognition, lead star Jonathan Bailey was overlooked. Amazon Prime series “Daisy Jones & The Six” received three nominations, but Nabiyah Be, who portrayed sapphic singer Simone Jackson, did not receive a nomination. Queer Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby was absent from the comedy category with their Netflix show “Something Special.”
The 2024 Golden Globes awards ceremony promises to be a celebration of LGBTQ+ representation and the outstanding talent that has graced screens throughout the year.