CATEGORIES

CATEGORIES

THE QUEER STUDENT AWARDS ARE BACK!

We’ve refreshed our categories and placed them into two new groups:
QUEER LEADERS and SAFER SPACES.

More information on the judging criteria for the QSA2026 and changes to our nomination process will be shared when entries open on
WEDNESDAY 5TH NOVEMBER.

In the meantime you can browse the award categories themselves…

QUEER LEADERS

  • ACTIVIST OF THE YEAR

    The LGBTQ+ student whose work and actions challenge establishments and/or fight for political and systemic change for the LGBTQ+ community.

    This category will be open to nominations from anyone with a personal or professional connection to the person nominated.

  • COMMUNITY LEADER (NEW)

    The LGBTQ+ student recognised as an impactful leader of other LGBTQ+ students in their school, college, university and/or local community.

    This category will be open to nominations recognising LGBTQ+ students currently enrolled at a UK school, college or university who hold a position of leadership such as a Pride group chair or society president.

  • CONTENT CREATOR (NEW)

    The content creator who best educates, engages and mobilises their audience with regards to an issue(s) impacting the LGBTQ+ community.

    This category will be open to nominations from LGBTQ+ students currently enrolled at a UK school, college or university and self nominations from content creators. The winner will be decided via a student vote.

  • RISING STAR

    The LGBTQ+ apprentice, graduate or intern who has best demonstrated their ambition and potential to become an impactful future business leader.

    This category will be open to nominations from student employers and their employees recognising young LGBTQ+ people who have spent at least 6 months in the workplace.

  • ROLE MODEL: BUSINESS

    The LGBTQ+ professional - working in the private or public sector - who most inspires their colleagues and/or local community.

    This category will be open to nominations from anyone with a personal or professional connection to the person nominated.

  • ROLE MODEL: EDUCATION

    The LGBTQ+ professional - working in a school, college or university - who most inspires their students, colleagues and/or local community.

    This category will be open to nominations from anyone with a personal or professional connection to the person nominated.

  • ROLE MODEL: STUDENT

    The LGBTQ+ student who most inspires their peers and/or teachers in their school, college, university and/or local community.

    This category will be open to nominations from anyone with a personal or professional connection to the person nominated.

  • UNSUNG HERO

    The LGBTQ+ student whose tireless work and efforts to support the LGBTQ+ community and/or other students may have gone unnoticed.

    This category will be open to nominations from anyone with a personal or professional connection to the person nominated.

SAFER SPACES

  • ALLY OF THE YEAR

    The individual whose actions stand in solidarity with, and openly support, the advancement of issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.

    This category will be open to nominations from anyone with a personal or professional connection to the person nominated.

  • BRAND ADVOCATE

    The brand which has best advocated for the LGBTQ+ community - open to all consumer and employer brands.

    This category will be open to brands who view themselves as advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. The winner will be decided by the young Queer people on the judging panel.

  • CHARITY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

    The best event, initiative or research project, led by a UK charity, which raises awareness of a specific local/national issue faced by young LGBTQ+ people.

    This category will be open to nominations from UK charities and/or the young LGBTQ+ people benefitting from the initiative.

  • COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

    The best event, initiative or research project, led by young LGBTQ+ people, which raises awareness of a specific local/national issue faced by them.

    This category will be open to nominations from LGBTQ+ student societies or clubs at UK schools, colleges and universities.

  • SAFE SPACE OF THE YEAR

    The LGBTQ+ inclusive space created to help young LGBTQ+ people to feel safer and more confident in expressing themselves.

    This category will be open to nominations from any LGBTQ+ student society or club, university or student employer.

KEY DATES

WHO CAN ENTER THE QSAs?

  • Students currently enrolled at a UK secondary school, sixth form or further education college, university

  • Apprentices and graduates currently employed by a UK employer, with at least six months of employment

  • Anyone with a personal or professional connection to the LGBTQ+ person being nominated

  • Anyone who is affiliated with the organisation or LGBTQ+ group/society they are nominating

SAFER SPACES

SAFER SPACES

WHAT DO SAFER SPACES MEAN TO YOU?

Watch the highlights of our recent virtual panel discussion featuring previous QSA finalists, winners and judges.