The New York Times: A principal performer in the new Broadway musical “& Juliet” has withdrawn from consideration for the Tony Awards rather than compete in a gendered category, shining a renewed spotlight on the question of whether major awards should continue to have separate categories for men and women.
3 comments:
Many people dream of getting a Tony. Imagine working, and working, getting your first big role. A role that means everything to so many people. Many people who to this point had not seen someone like them on stage. A happy, proud, brown, latiné, asian, non-binary person. In a story that does not center on their pain. In a show were they are not the only non-binary person. A show where they are not a token. Imagine that glee. But then see that this place of safety is not accepted by the primary rewards institution. We may see this as merely a silly award, but a Tony is life-changing. It provides more job opportunities not to mention. I have to say that the New York Times saying “Sullivan puts public pressure on the awards”, on the basis of Justin BEING non-binary transfers culpability to her and putting an antagonistic role to them. I can only hope that with time the Tony’s will understand that non-binary people are not a trend. This choice of exclusion will only become a louder intolerance with time.
I firmly believe that these award ceremonies and shows and all of that should have genderless categories. I fear that situations like this will only become more common as time passes and we continue to see gender involved in these awards. In my opinion, there is just not a need to separate categories by gender – I just don’t get why it is necessary… I do understand that some individuals work their entire lives, spend years studying the art, practice, participate in numerous projects, just to even get a chance of a nomination; and then to be shoved into a category that may not be in line with their gender identity is so frustrating. Imagine working your entire life and career for this amazing achievement, and then being told that you fall into a category that you simply do not fall into.. I cannot imagine how frustrating that must be. I genuinely hope we see other award shows change as some have begun to already.
I did not know that many award shows have moved away from gendered categories and am disappointed to realize how behind the Tonys are. In the meantime, I am glad to hear that nominated trans non-binary people are able to choose which Award category they are in. While I understand the concern people have that if the categories are eliminated these coveted awards become even more difficult to obtain, it seems like the obvious answer is to continue nominating eight people and two get the award. I mean the term actress is outdated anyway. Tony Award administrators need to create an internal bias review system to ensure the nominees and winners aren’t skewed to one gender or are exclusionary to trans nonbinary people. I am sure there have been years where two nominated women both deserved the award for best actress and this system would allow for that flexibility.
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