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"For every trans, nonbinary, gender non-conforming human that was told you couldn't be seen — this is for you."
Theater kids, rejoice! The 76th annual Tony Awards arrived in dazzling 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't different and weird — we're special, unique, and important.
Theo Wargo / Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
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, Shucked star and Glee alum Alex Newell took home the award for Featured Actor in a Musical.
Paramount + / The 76th Annual Tony Awards
In their tearful speech, they said, "I have wanted this my entire life. Thank you for seeing me, Broadway."
Cbs Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images
If you're not familiar with Shucked (or just want to relive the corny magic) — check out Alex giving their Tony Award–winning performance here:
View this video on YouTube
Youtube / CBS / Via youtube.comYet another historic win was awarded to J. Harrison Ghee, who won for Best Actor in a Musical for their performance in Some Like It Hot.
Dominik Bindl / Getty Images
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.
Paramount + / The 76th Annual Tony Awards
*thank you* to the #wga for letting the show go on at the #TonyAwards. primetime network TV needed to see what acceptance of all bodies, ages, races & genders looks like — all wrapped up in some of the most talented people on the planet. brava, bravo, and everything in between ♥️
— shauna (@goldengateblond) June 12, 2023
Amid the celebration, some valid questions were raised about how the format of award shows can be structured more inclusively:
Pity they had to compete in categories that werent their gender. We need to get rid of gendered categories !
— Missyjack #LGBTIQACAB (@missyjack) June 12, 2023Hollywood needs to start giving one award in each category. Category includes all genders. No more actor, actress stuff. Leave gender out altogether.
— TaraSJ (@t_twotwos) June 12, 2023It'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.
Dominik Bindl / Getty Images, Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
If you missed it, you can stream the Tony Awards on Paramount +.
English (US) ·