Critics Choice Kicks Off Pride, Calls for More Investment in Queer Storytelling

The Critics Choice Association held its third annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television in Los Angeles on Friday, opening Pride Month early. Honorees included Dan Levy, Hannah Einbinder, Noah Schnapp, Jane Lynch, Jacob Tierney and other creators such as The Boulet Brothers, Bre-Z and Brandon Scott Jones.

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Levy, promoting *Big Mistakes*, urged funding for queer creators without demanding proof of impact. Einbinder, after wrapping her role as Ava Daniels on *Hacks*, said authentic representation requires queer people to author their own stories. Poppy Liu presented Einbinder’s award, noting outspoken support for a free Palestine. Tierney sent a video on season two of *Heated Rivalry*. Schnapp said his role as Will Byers in *Stranger Things* prepared him for own coming-out.

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Levy linked funding to proven profitability, citing Canadian backing of *Schitt’s Creek* and *Heated Rivalry*. Einbinder argued that queer creators controlling narratives make representation more authentic and resonant. The ceremony’s acknowledgment of Palestinian advocacy shows the growing overlap of LGBTQ+ visibility with broader sociopolitical issues.

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Levy called for a Hollywood climate where queer creators can produce work without the ‘added weight of responsibility,’ noting Canadian investment enabled early successes. He said queer content already generates revenue and deserves more funding. Einbinder affirmed her *Hacks* role shows the value of queer representation when creators steer the story. Liu praised Einbinder’s resilience, calling threats and doxxing attempts to silence advocacy.

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Einbinder’s vocal support for a free Palestine sparked backlash that, according to Liu, “scared many of our peers into complicity and silence.” The response included doxxing and threats, underscoring tension between LGBTQ+ advocacy and geopolitical debate.

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• “without the added weight of responsibility — knowing that what we make needs to work in order to make an impact, in order for more of our stories to be told. Imagine the bliss of making something, knowing that there are so many queer stories being told that we can simply create for entertainment’s sake, or better yet, fail and be given a second chance.” — Dan Levy, Actor & Creator

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• “is such a cherished character to me and she is proof that yes queer representation matters, but it’s made that much more authentic when queer people are given the ability to author their own stories,” — Hannah Einbinder, Actress

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• “highly vocal support for a free Palestine” — Poppy Liu, Actress

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Levy’s *Big Mistakes* continues its Emmy push, Tierney prepares season two of *Heated Rivalry*, and Einbinder’s *Hacks* finale marks her exit while she stays active in LGBTQ+ advocacy. The Critics Choice Association will host additional Pride events this month.

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