Emmys to award gender-neutral ‘Performer’ statues for non-binary nominees
Nominees can now pick the term in lieu of the standard “Actor” or “Actress” label.
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Nominees can now pick the term in lieu of the standard “Actor” or “Actress” label.
The Television Academy is now allowing for a non-gendered "Performer" label for nominees who don't want "Actor" or "Actress" written on their award statues and certificates.
The move announced by the Academy Board of Governors back on Monday will take effect this year, during the 2021 Emmy Awards season.
Here's the announcement as spotted by Deadline: "No performer category titled 'Actor' or 'Actress' has ever had a gender requirement for submissions," it wrote today. "Now, nominees and (or) winners in any performer category titled 'Actor' or 'Actress' may request that their nomination certificate and Emmy statuette carry the term 'Performer' in place of Actor or Actress."
The reasoning for this move is being credited to the campaigning of actors like Asia Kate Dillon of Billions fame. As someone who identifies as non-binary, in April 2017, Dillion began an effort to "challenge" the inclusive language Emmy awards had when it came to male/female acting categories.
Dillion's performance on Billions earned the respect of their peers, but a conversation had to happen with the Academy when it came to Dillion submitting specific details. The results of that dialogue are seen now, four years later.
The Emmy Awards show takes place on Sept. 21 with nominations being announced next month on July 13. In terms of ratings, viewers have to wait and see if the Emmys viewership shares a similar fate to that of the Oscars.
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