International Pride Awards 2026: UNDP and ILGA World honour global LGBTIQ+ equality heroes

1 March 2026 – Across the world, courageous individuals are working – often against extraordinary odds – to ensure that everyone can live freely and authentically.

Today, the United Nationsan international organisation comprising 193 member States. It has the mission of maintaining peace and security, protecting human rights, providing humanitarian aid and ensuring economic and social development across the globe. It is a network of many different bodies and agencies, each of which has a particular role and responsibility. More Development Programme (UNDP) and ILGA World announce the second edition of the International Pride Awards, a global celebration of the leaders, advocates and allies advancing equality for lesbianadjective/noun to describe a woman whose enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction is to other women. Women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves. More, gayadjective to describe people whose enduring physical, romantic, and/ or emotional
attractions are to people of the same gender. Men, women and non-binary people may use this
term to describe themselves. More, bisexualadjective used to describe a person who has the capacity to form enduring physical, romantic, and/ or emotional attractions to those of the same gender or to those of other genders. More, transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. More, intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. More and queerpreviously used as a derogatory term to refer to LGBT individuals in the English language – and still perceived as offensive by some - queer has been reclaimed by people who identify beyond traditional gender categories and heteronormative social norms. Although not universally accepted, it is often used as a catch-all to include many people within the larger community of people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics. More (LGBTIQ+) people everywhere.

This year’s award recipients will be announced on 5 August 2026 at a special event during the WorldPride human rights conference in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

First established in 2024, the International Pride Awards shine a spotlight on stories of resilience, solidarity and progress, reminding the global community that inclusion is not only possible—it is actively being cultivated in communities across every region.

Yet significant challenges remain. In 65 countries, governments continue to uphold laws that criminalise consensual same-sex acts between adults in private. Seven of these countries impose the death penalty for such acts, while in five more, there is no full legal certainty. Only 12 countries provide constitutional protection against discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others. More on the grounds of sexual orientationrefers to a person’s capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to - and intimate and sexual relations with - individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender. More, five based on gender identityrefers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth. More, just one on gender expressionrefers to how a person presents their gender through physical appearance – including dress, hairstyles, accessories, cosmetics – and mannerisms, speech, behavioural patterns, names and personal references. More, and none on the grounds of sex characteristicsa term that refers to physical features relating to sex - including genitalia and other sexual and reproductive anatomy, chromosomes, hormones, and secondary physical features emerging from puberty. More. (Visit the ILGA World Database for more information.)

Nevertheless, perseverance prevails. Across the world, brave human rights defenders are dedicating their courage and actions to work, often at great personal risk, ensuring that people of all races, genders and backgrounds are empowered to be themselves and thrive.

The International Pride Awards will shine a light on their work and amplify their stories to inspire others and create momentum for the change they want to see in the world.

The 2026 award categories are:

Award recipients from low- and middle-income countries will also be awarded US$10,000 grants to support their work.

Nominations for the second edition of the International Pride Awards will be open from 17 March to 17 April 2026 and can be submitted through the awards website. UNDP and ILGA World invite everyone to nominate individuals whose tireless efforts have made a significant impact in advancing equality and inclusion of LGBTIQ+ people, from grassroots initiatives to international advocacy efforts.

An Awards Committee comprised of seasoned LGBTIQ+ campaigners, advocates and human rights leaders will be selecting the award recipients.

The International Pride Awards provide a platform to recognise and uplift those whose leadership strengthens movements, promotes dignity and expands opportunity – reinforcing the fundamental principle that no one should be left behind.

For more information, including how to nominate, please visit the International Pride Awards website: https://internationalprideawards.org.