Jameela Jamil Calls for Non-Binary Category at Award Shows to Ensure Inclusion
4 min read
Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Jameela Jamil has proposed a potential solution to the ongoing issue over gendered acting awards at award events. For many years, the Academy prizes and other major award events have honoured both men and women by bestowing gendered prizes, such as Best Actor and Best Actress. In recent years, some non-binary actors have criticised these gendered prizes, claiming that they exclude others who do not identify as either gender. Jamil took to Instagram to give her thoughts on gendered prizes, which may be phased out at the Oscars.
Jameela Jamil proposes the idea of non-binary people getting their own category at award shows in new Instagram post:
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) June 18, 2023
“Would it not be better to give non binary people their own category rather than open the door for Hollywood to completely shut out women…” pic.twitter.com/xr9O7G2DQw
She claims she’s “not going to be nominated for an Oscar anyway,” so she has no horse in this race, but she wonders why it wouldn’t be preferable to create a new acting category for non-binary artists. Jamil demonstrates how this would allow everyone to be recognised, yet eliminating gendered prizes could result in women being completely excluded. Jamil also admits in her statement that she was “terrified” to express these opinions of hers online, fearful of the potential backlash on social media hurting her career. She says she still wanted to share her thoughts since she has noticed that many others agree with her, and she believes that her proposal would ultimately be the greatest answer for both women and non-binary performers.
Liv Hewson (non-binary actor) who decided to bench themselves from the Emmy's because of gendered categories had a very smart and interesting take on what @jameelajamil
asked pic.twitter.com/2aMVxBqzWy— Ro (@Ro_manticTaivan) June 18, 2023Advertisement
Jameela Jamil Recommends Non-Binary People Receive Their Own Category At Award Shows To Prevent Hollywood From ‘Completely Shutting Out Women’
Jameela Jamil is weighing in on gender-neutral award shows and suggests people who identify as non-binary get their own category in order not to completely eliminate women from them. Given the disproportionate proportion of men and women winning awards, isn’t it better to give non-binary people their own category rather than open the door for Hollywood to completely exclude women? reads a statement Jamil posted on Instagram. The fact that we now have enough non-binary talent to change award shows, which is GREAT, should make us focus on adding rather than running the risk of erasing? Adding that she will not be nominated for an Oscar anyway, she adds that she says this as an audience member. I have no horse in this race. According to her Instagram caption, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law star’s sentiment comes as the Oscars look to do away with gendered acting awards.
The director award, which is genderless, is rare enough for a woman to even be nominated, let alone win. Further, she stated that she wanted to open more doors and create more tables, not limit opportunities for anyone, including people who identify as GNC [gender non-conforming]. Several award shows, such as the Independent Spirit Awards and the British Independent Film Awards, have already moved toward gender-neutral categories, something MTV has been doing for years with its VMAs and Film & TV Awards. As the Bad Dates podcast host acknowledges the disparity, she feels as though we will see an increase in ire from women who are denied award opportunities as a result of the fact that we have only one spot for a winner amongst tens of thousands of actors in a world where men are favoured. In her opinion, reducing the number of possible winners will not help women or Native Americans. In an industry that has been struggling for a long time to treat others as equals, we should EXPAND the opportunities for both men and women.
Poor @jameelajamil No one has done more than her to berate and demean women in regards to them losing rights they fought hard to get. And how do the men she grovelled to repay her when she says women shouldn’t lose their Oscar category? Of course they tell her she’s a dick pic.twitter.com/QTHmF0hZMb
— Lottie Lewis (@LottieHistory) June 18, 2023
What @LottieHistory is saying here about @jameelajamil is important. This is what happens to women who sellout their sisters – they get what is known as a “wake-up” call. When you realize that you were not special all along. https://t.co/l2DXZBxync https://t.co/gjtOHHg3Fb
— Dr Suzanne Vierling (@suzannevierling) June 18, 2023
But the question is how many non binarys actors are there? And especially ones that are so good to be nominated in an award show.. but i agree for the most part
— liraz (@wxndamaximff) June 18, 2023
I actually agree here, but at the same time is complicated because then you’re opening the doors to categorize everything, which can be or very good or very bad depending who takes advantage of that. Rich ppl will probably used to their own advantage and ignore the minorities.
— BubooSenchan (@BubooSenchan) June 18, 2023
