Bella Ramsey has called for non-binary actor recognition at award shows.
As awards are primarily divided into ‘male’ and ‘female’ categories, The Last of Us actor believes there should be a middle ground to be more inclusive.
During an interview with Vanity Fair, Ramsey, who identifies as non-binary, said: “The categories at the moment feel extremely gendered with the language around them.”
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The 19-year-old revealed that they initially thought of withdrawing from Emmy consideration due to the lack of non-gendered categories.
However, after discussing it with show creator Craig Mazin, Ramsey decided to contend for Lead Actress, citing they didn’t want to prevent the celebration of non-binary performers.
“I don’t want the limitations in terms of the language in the categories to be a reason that non-binary actors like me can’t be celebrated,” they told the outlet.
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“And it can open up a conversation about how it feels—as long as I’m aware of the fact that it’s not ideal, but also that finding alternatives is really complex."
Ramsey added: “For [non-binary and nonconforming people] to have a say and be part of those discussions and those conversations, that’s really important.
“I just hope there’s more space for non-binary people to be recognized within [future] categories.”
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The call for gender-neutral awards has intensified in the past couple of years.
Film Independent president Josh Welsh acknowledged to Vanity Fair that a ‘movement’ is happening right now.
“Why would you force someone to identify in a way that they’re not comfortable with, in order to receive an accolade from you? It’s just fundamentally rude to that person, and there’s not a compelling argument on the other side why anyone should keep it,” he told the outlet.
Last year, Emma Corrin, who played Princess Diana in The Crown, advocated for gender-free awards while calling for more non-binary, queer and trans people to be portrayed on screen shortly after receiving a Golden Globe.
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"It's about everyone being able to feel acknowledged and represented," Corrin said, as per BBC News.
"When those parts come up, meaning more people and more actors are playing those roles then I think there will be more of an urgency with which these questions will be addressed,” they added.
Gennaro Castaldo, a spokesperson for the music industry body the BPI, who runs the awards, also weighed in, revealing aside from just representation, it would be more exciting to watch your favorite artists battle it out.
He told BBC News: "Why shouldn't the likes of Adele and Ed Sheeran be able to go head to head and be judged as artists... assuming they're nominated?"
Topics: News, Film and TV, LGBTQ, Bella Ramsey