Since 2005, GCLS has at its annual conference presented Golden Crown Literary Awards (Goldies) to authors and editors in various categories of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and anthologies/collections, as well as for cover design and audiobook narration.

[1] The five women who founded GCLS were on its original advisory board: Carrie Carr, Cathy LeNoir Bryerose, Lori L. Lake, Radclyffe, and Kathy L. Smith.

In 2021, a free, virtual series was launched via Zoom to cover LGBTQ topics, complementing regional events organized by GCLS that offered in-person panels, book sales and author signings.

Programming includes presentations by panelists and individuals, workshops and other classes, author readings and signings, and structured and informal opportunities for attendees to engage with each other.

Co-directed by Lisa Marie Evans and Trailblazer Marianne K. Martin, the film explores and preserves the documents that dominated lesbian-themed literature in the 20th century.

Established in 2015 to honor "one of the most visible and accessible lesbian artists in the world,"[18] the Tee Corinne[19] Award for Outstanding Cover Design recognizes one book chosen as the favorite after two rounds of popular voting.

In 2023, all four winners of the Ann Bannon and Tee Corrine awards were from outside the United States – Emily Banting[20] and Suzanne Moss[21] from England, Jae from Germany and E.J.

Other international winners in 2023 included Jo Havens[23] and Lianyu Tan[24] (Australia), Arlene Pare (Canada), Rachel Sommers[25] (England), J.J. Hale[26] (Ireland) and G. Benson[27] (Spain).