" For every trans , nonbinary , gender non - conforming human that was tell you could n’t be seen — this is for you . "
Theater kids, rejoice! The 76th annualTony Awardsarrived indazzling and star-studded perfection! It’s my favorite day during Pride Month 🏳️🌈. For many young queer people, the performances on stage are the first time we get so see ourselves represented (and celebrated!) anywhere. It helps us realize we aren’tdifferentandweird— we’re special, unique, and important.
Representation matters so much, and the 76th annual Tony Awards paved the way for gender non-conforming people everywhere, as it gave not one, but TWO awards to Black nonbinary performers!
To start,Shuckedstar andGleealumAlex Newelltook home the award for Featured Actor in a Musical.
In their tearful speech, they said, “I have wanted this my entire life. Thank you for seeing me, Broadway.”
If you’re not familiar withShucked(or just want to relive thecornymagic)—check out Alex giving their Tony Award–winning performance here:
Yet another historic win was awarded to J. Harrison Ghee, who won for Best Actor in a Musical for their performance inSome Like It Hot.
In their impassioned acceptance speech, they said, “For every trans, nonbinary, gender non-conforming human that was told you couldn’t be seen — this is for you.” I am still crying a full 12 hours later.
Check out the Tony performance ofSome Like It Hothere:
Of course, Twitter was going wild in celebration of these wins:
TWO NONBINARY ACTORS HAVE WON#TonyAwardsfor upright actor TONIGHT ! ! ! Congratulations to ALEX NEWELL AND J. HARRISON GHEEpic.twitter.com/WdozBISknE
All the grammatical gender non - conforming role player make headway Tony awards ! My genderqueer heart is full ! 🏳 ️ 🌈 ❤ ️ 🎭 #TonyAwards
- give thanks you * to the#wgafor allow the show go on at the#TonyAwards . primetime web telly needed to see what acceptance of all trunk , age , races & sexuality look like — all enfold up in some of the most gifted people on the planet . brava , bravo , and everything in between ♥ ️
“For every trans, nonbinary, gender non-conforming human that was told you couldn’t be seen — this is for you."
Amid the celebration, some valid questions were raised about how the format of award shows can be structured more inclusively:
Pity they had to contend in categories that were nt their gender . We ask to get free of gendered categories !
Hollywood needs to set forth give one award in each category . Category includes all genders . No more actor , actress stuff . impart gender out altogether .
It’s incredible that two nonbinary people won Tony Awards for the first time this year, but it’s so noticeable that they had to misgender themselves to be considered for the award in the first place. It would be momentous to see a nonbinary category added (or even better, remove the “best actress” award and have only a best actor category —because “actor” is a gender neutral term, after all). We hope to see award shows continue to become more inclusive to show gender non-conforming people that there is space for them.
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