GLAAD Introduces Mentorship Initiative for Emerging LGBTQ+ Game Developers

GLAAD, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting diverse and inclusive representation in the media and gaming industry, has announced the launch of its Queer Emerging Developers (QED) Program. This initiative is specifically designed to support and mentor early-career developers from the LGBTQ+ community, with the goal of fostering a more inclusive and representative gaming industry. The program, sponsored by Logitech, aims to collaborate with developers who are passionate about creating games that showcase bold, innovative storytelling and amplify queer voices. By doing so, GLAAD hopes to reinforce its message that authentic representation in media can be a powerful catalyst for positive cultural change. Despite growing recognition of the importance of inclusive storytelling, there remains a need for more opportunities to support the creators behind these games. To address this, the QED Program will provide mentorship and support to emerging game developers. Applications for the first cohort are now open until November 10 and are available to developers worldwide who are in the early to mid-stages of their careers, can commit to participating in virtual program activities, and are able to travel to San Francisco for the 2026 Game Developers Conference. The mentorship activities are expected to take place over four months in the first half of 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the official website. This year, notable game developers such as Nintendo, BioWare, and Deck Nine received nominations at the GLAAD awards in June, highlighting the industry's progress towards greater inclusivity.