ABOVE: Mj Rodriguez, photo via POSE/Twitter.
With the release of the 73rd annual Emmy 2021 nominees on July 13, diversity has earned a big win with Mj Rodriguez taking the biggest prize.
The “Pose” star has finally earned a nomination after three seasons of playing the character Blanca on the FX series. She makes history as the first openly transgender performer nominated in a lead drama category.
“Rodriguez’s Emmy nomination for outstanding lead actress in a drama series is a breakthrough for transgender women in Hollywood, and a long-overdue recognition for her groundbreaking performance over the past three seasons of ‘Pose,'” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement.
A shining example of everything a Mother should be. Congratulations to @MjRodriguez7 on her history-making Emmy nomination for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for #PoseFX. pic.twitter.com/9iJrwL6Mrw
— PoseFX (@PoseOnFX) July 13, 2021
Rodriguez’s nomination isn’t the only reason to celebrate trans recognition. As more people in the industry come out with nonbinary gender identities, the award shows are beginning to accommodate to make everyone feel included. This year, the stars who were nominated can opt to forgo “actor” and “actress” titles.
They may now request their nomination certificates and their Emmy stats to read “performer” instead. This may be the beginning of the end of gender-segregated categories.
Over the last few years, the awards season has been criticized for its lack of diversity, making the nomination for Rodriguez this year all the bigger achievement. She also wasn’t the only “Pose” star to get nominated for the 2021 Emmys.
Billy Porter, who plays “Pray Tell” on the show, was nominated for lead actor in a drama. In 2019, he won this same award which made him the first openly gay man to do so.
#Grateful ✨✨✨ https://t.co/g81ceQk4En
— Billy Porter (@theebillyporter) July 13, 2021
“Pose,” which was nominated for best drama series, wasn’t the only LGBTQ show in the list of nominees. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is nominated for best competition program, with its namesake nominated for best host.
Other LGBTQ nominations include Bowen Yang, Kate McKinnon and Dan Levy for performances on “Saturday Night Live.” Jonathan Groff was also nominated for his role in “Hamilton.”
With the award show around the corner, there are sure to be many celebrations for the nominees and the increase in inclusivity in this year’s nominees. View the full list of nominations here.
