Everyone has the right to be seen, respected, and even represented. Even in 2021, there is still negative discussion around people expressing their gender and their identities. As the world moves forward towards acceptance and representation, so should the entertainment industry. For years, award shows have weighed the performances of artists based on the label of female or male. If you ask us, it’s high time we dropped those labels.
Getty Images | You thought winning awards was difficult? Try fighting for media representation
Why Is This So Important?
As the world progresses, with increasing safe spaces being created for people to express themselves, award show organizers need to kick it up a notch and be more inclusive of the non-binary stars.
While many may argue that it is unnecessary and uncalled for, the truth is that it is highly needed in a society to promote the discussion about identities. Non-binary people have every right to be heard and represented, and these old-school labels are not cutting it.
Getty Images | So our celebrities can be non-binary, but characters can't?
Said and Done Before
One thing to note is that many top honors do not use labels or have specific gender-based awards. You’ve probably never heard of a “male” Nobel Prize or a James Beard Award for the best female chef? That is because all the nominees are weighed and selected based on their performance and work.
So, the question arises why does award shows like Oscar, Golden Globes, and Grammys feel the need to have labeled awards, even though many actors, singers, and people in the entertainment industry are so open about acceptance.
AP Photo | The Nobel Prize is no joke, but labeled entertainment awards sure are
What Does It Mean to Go Label-Less?
It wouldn't do much for awards shows, but for the artists, it would be a make-or-break moment. There’s no proper timing for coming out, but you are basically ignoring their existence with these labels.
Actors and artists who have spent their lives on projects often feel invalidated, causing their careers to often be negatively affected. So, if these award shows decide to become more inclusive, taking into account the non-binary people of the entertainment industry, they can promote healthy discussion and non-binary representation.
Getty Images | Many non-binary and gender-fluid stars are leading the march to normalization
Many people in the world look up to non-binary celebrities. Giving them a safe space and representation will lead to the normalization of identities and instill the importance of respecting everyone’s choices. While stars do promote dialogue regarding equal representation, the journey to normalization is still long and tedious – and award shows can do lots to help.
