LGBTQ representation in kids and family programming will be honored with a new awards series, The Velmas.
The Velmas are the flagship initiative of The Rainbow Project, a new organization “committed to acknowledging and amplifying the creators and storytellers who push the boundaries of queer storytelling in children’s media,” reads a press announcement released Tuesday morning.
The Rainbow Project was founded by entertainment industry veterans Chris Nee, Kristi Reed and Jeremy Blacklow.
“The Velmas are designed to recognize the incredible work happening in kids and family programming that goes beyond tokenism and authentically portrays LGBTQ+ characters and stories,” Nee, an award-winning children’s television screenwriter and producer, said in a statement. “We believe that every child deserves to see their truth reflected in the media they consume, and The Velmas will honor the brave individuals who are leading the charge in changing the cultural narrative.”
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The inaugural Velma winners will be announced on Dec. 10.
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“We have reached a critical moment in children’s media where visibility matters more than ever. Writers and producers who have the courage to craft narratives that positively spotlight the queer community are not only creating content that fosters a sense of belonging for LGBTQ+ youth, they are doing work to end generational hatred forever,” said Reed, an Emmy-winning casting and voice director in the animation industry. “This is children’s programming at its best and The Velmas will ensure it doesn’t go unawarded.”
Blacklow, a 25-year veteran of the media and entertainment business, added, “It’s both an exciting and critical time for the entertainment industry. Beginning in 2018, we saw a brave increase in queer stories on screen in kids programming, but with the current culture wars, we’ve seen those numbers start to go down. We must continue to see the growth of more diverse stories on screen, and we must celebrate those voices that take risks and redefine what it means to help queer youth see themselves and their families represented.”
For more information about The Velmas and The Rainbow Project, go to therainbowproject.tv.
