Breaking Down Barriers
The Tony Awards, considered the Oscars of the theater world, made history by awarding the best performance of an actor in a leading role in a play to a non-binary actor for the first time. Cole Escola, the 38-year-old star of the hit Broadway comedy Oh Mary!, took home the award, marking a significant milestone for the LGBT+ community.
The Issue with Gendered Categories
While Escola’s victory is a cause for celebration, it also raises questions about the sustainability of the Tony Awards format, which divides its performance categories by gender. This practice is common in the entertainment industry, with almost all major film awards, including the Oscars and Emmys, following suit. However, it seems increasingly incompatible with our modern understanding of gender. Escola’s win highlights the limitations of this system, as non-binary actors are forced to compete in categories that don’t accurately reflect their identity.
The Complexity of the Issue
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Escola won the award for playing a woman, Mary Todd Lincoln, in Oh Mary!. This raises questions about representation and the opportunities available to non-binary actors. Some non-binary actors, like Emma D’Arcy, have chosen to play roles that align with their identity, while others, like Liv Hewson, have opted not to submit themselves for awards that don’t have a category that fits their identity.
The Fear of Restricting Opportunities
One of the concerns about removing gendered categories is that it could restrict opportunities for women. The fear is that if the Tony Awards or Oscars were to combine acting categories into sexless lead and supporting actors, it could ultimately limit the recognition of women in the industry. This concern is not unfounded, as the Brit Awards’ decision to remove gendered categories led to a lack of female nominees in the artist of the year category.
A Need for Change
Despite the complexity of the issue, it’s clear that the current system is not working. The entertainment industry needs to find a way to recognize and celebrate talent without restricting opportunities based on gender. Some awards, like the Gotham Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards, have successfully removed gendered categories and found worthy female candidates to recognize.
A Step in the Right Direction
Escola’s win is a step in the right direction, but it’s also a reminder that the system needs to change. The fact that some awards have been able to remove gendered categories without issue is a testament to the fact that it’s possible to create a more inclusive and equitable system. It’s time for the Tony Awards and other major film awards to follow suit and create a system that recognizes and celebrates talent, regardless of gender.
