Bowen Yang’s cultural influence is continuing to grow — and now it’s being recognised on one of the biggest stages celebrating LGBTQ representation in media.
The former Saturday Night Live cast member will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at this year’s GLAAD Media Awards alongside his Las Culturistas podcast co-host Matt Rogers.
The honour recognises individuals who have significantly raised visibility for members of the LGBTQ community and helped promote acceptance of queer issues.
GLAAD announced the news on Monday, noting that the award is named after Stephen F. Kolzak, a casting director who spent the last chapter of his life fighting homophobia and HIV stigma throughout the entertainment industry.
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Yang and Rogers join an impressive list of previous recipients that includes Cynthia Erivo, Niecy Nash-Betts, Laverne Cox, Wanda Sykes and Jim Parsons.
Since breaking out on Saturday Night Live, Yang has become one of the most recognisable queer comedians in mainstream entertainment.
Beyond his television work, Las Culturistas — the pop culture podcast he co-hosts with Rogers — has built a devoted fanbase for its sharp commentary, chaotic humour and unabashed celebration of queer culture. The show is also nominated this year for Outstanding Podcast.
Elsewhere at the ceremony, Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson will receive the GLAAD Vanguard Award, which honours allies who have made a meaningful difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues.
Past Vanguard Award recipients include Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, Kerry Washington, Liza Minnelli and Kacey Musgraves.
The 2026 GLAAD Media Awards will take place in Los Angeles on Thursday, 5 March, with a broadcast of the event streaming later on Hulu on Saturday, 21 March.
The ceremony will feature special appearances from U.S. Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn, comedian Zeke Smith and actor Frankie Grande.
Breakthrough music artist Eli is set to make her GLAAD Media Awards musical debut, while Demi Lovato will also perform. The event will be hosted by Jonathan Bennett.
A wide range of entertainment figures are also expected to attend, including Don Lemon, Tig Notaro, Ariana Madix, Camila Mendes, Lili Reinhart, Paul Feig, Rhea Seehorn, Rob Mac, Stephanie Beatriz, Cara Delevingne, Chris Appleton, Karolina Wydra, Kristen Wiig, Laverne Cox and Melissa Fumero.
Brunson is also celebrating another milestone: Abbott Elementary has been nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series.
The category includes fellow nominees Ghosts, Hacks, Hazbin Hotel, Loot, Palm Royale, The Righteous Gemstones, Survival of the Thickest and The Upshaws.
Meanwhile, Las Culturistas will compete for Outstanding Podcast against shows including Bald & The Beautiful, The Daily Beans Podcast, Handsome Podcast, Outlaws with TS Madison, The Read, Shut Up Evan, So True with Caleb Hearon, Tactful Pettiness and We Can Do Hard Things.
