Oscars Getting Rid Of Best Actress?
The Oscars might get rid of the Best Actor and Best Actress gendered awards to become more inclusive.
The times are certainly changing, with inclusivity quickly becoming a mainstay in Hollywood and celebrities and audiences alike pushing for all people to be seen and heard in everything from indies to action-packed blockbusters. A recently published op-ed in The Los Angeles Times is now calling for the Oscars to move away from gendered awards, a major decision for those at the top to make and one that would see the categories of Best Actor and Best Actress completely wiped from the docket. Should the thought gain steam, it could quickly pick up supporters with big names including The Crown’s Emma Corrin already beginning to lead the charge.
The My Policemen star, who identifies as non-binary, shares the same thoughts as the scribe of The Los Angeles Times op-ed piece, believing that the Oscars, and other celebrations like it, should back away from gendered awards and move towards categories that would encompass those who don’t identify as male or female. For those who may be thinking that the switch would be an abrupt one, looking at other ceremonies might help change your mind. As mentioned in the op-ed, the Grammys did away with gendered categories a decade ago, clearing the lists that singled out male and female singers.
In 2017, the MTV Movie and TV Awards made the gender-neutral change with the L.A. Film Critics Association erasing the slate for performers and the Spirit Awards adjusting for this upcoming year. With all of this in mind, it’s proof that should the Oscars switch to non-gendered awards, the sky wouldn’t come crashing down – no matter what the haters may say. Although in the past, folks weren’t comfortable sharing their true identities with the world, things have massively changed as of late with a slew of actors stepping forward to announce that their pronouns are they/them.
Along with Emma Corrin, Chucky and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Lachlan Watson, The Flash’s Ezra Miller, and Queer Eye’s hair and self-care aficionado Jonathan Van Ness have all come out as members of the nonbinary community. This level of representation hasn’t been seen before, and these performers deserve the recognition of the Oscars and other big events like it to join in on the celebration of diversity by doing away with gendered awards. The other possibility is to keep the male and female categories and simply add a new one for those who identify as non-binary.
At the end of the day, no amount of celebrities identifying as non-binary can make those in charge of the Oscars, Emmys, or any other major honorable nights do away with gendered awards. The power is in the hands of those at the top, but with the visibility arena changing through productions like Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and even possibly the James Bond franchise, it’s time to strike while the iron is hot. The entertainment biz isn’t just a good ol’ boys club anymore, as The Los Angeles Times op-ed piece points out, and those who identify as gender non-conforming, and even those who identify as women, deserve a better chance at major roles and honors within the industry.
