Let's Get the Gender out of Award Shows
Graphic by Anika Dua
Get ready for cringe-worthy speeches and an uptick in Letterboxd activity from the most annoying people you know; award show season is nearly upon us. Before you break out the sweatpants you’ll inevitably be wearing while ruthlessly criticizing celebrity red carpet looks, consider that it might be time to criticize another element of the awards circuit: the gendered categories of the Oscars and Tonys.
The Oscars and Tonys, occurring on March 12th and June 11th, respectively, are shrouded in controversy. The ceremonies’ recurring histories of racism, sexism, and unethical campaigning have made countless headlines over the past several years. However, a boost in the visibility of non-binary performers has actors, such as My Policeman’s Emma Corrin, questioning whether award ceremonies allow enough space for those who exist outside the gender binary. Corrin themself says it is “difficult” to “justify in [their] head being non-binary and being nominated in female categories.”
Broadway actor Justin David Sullivan of the musical & Juliet added fuel to this conversation in early February, when he decided to remove himself from consideration for a Tony award. He clarified that he hopes “that award shows across the industry will expand their reach to be able to honor and award people of all gender identities.” Overhauling the existing “best actor” and "best actress” categories in these ceremonies is not unreasonable; the Grammys did away with gendered categories back in 2012 and the MTV awards followed suit in 2017.
Many blame other prestigious award shows’ inability to follow suit on concerns that since there would only be one “best actor” category and winner, men would be the primary recipient of the award. This is of course because we live in a bullshit patriarchal society where film bros believe a bunch of white dudes screaming is the epitome of cinematic prowess. But vomit-inducing as the idea of a bunch of white men being heralded as the pinnacle of acting is, this is not the only possible outcome. Expanding categories to accommodate ten nominees, allowing for multiple winners, or separating acting categories into adapted and original screenplay (which would also help do away with Oscar-bait biopic performances winning every year) could all help pave the way for a future where acting awards are less dictated by heteronormativity.
Of course, the most effective road to a solution is to amplify the voices of non-binary and genderqueer folks. Continuing to support and make space for the work of non-binary actors and artists from other marginalized communities would make these antiquated gender norms impossible to ignore. Because let’s face it: with gendered categories, we’re all losers.