Billions and John Wick Chapter 3 star Asia Kate Dillon has penned an impassioned, open letter to the Screen Actors Guild demanding that the actor’s union stop using gender-specific categories at its awards shows.
The letter, published in Variety, calls separating performers based on gender identity discriminatory. “Separating people based on their assigned sex, and/or their gender identity, is not only irrelevant when it comes to how an acting performance should be judged, it is also a form of discrimination,” Dillon writes. “Not only do your current categories erase non-binary identities by limiting performers to identifying as male or female/man or womxn (which not all SAG members, like myself, do), they also serve as an endorsement of the gender binary at large, which actively upholds other forms of discrimination, including racism, the patriarchy, and gender violence.” Dillon’s reference refers to their own gender identity; the actor had previously made headlines for being the first openly non-binary actor to portray a non-binary character in a series regular role on television.
Related: Asia Kate Dillon is bringing non-binary gender identity to Hollywood
“The distinction between male and female acting categories was implemented as a means of combating the chronic and systemic overlooking of cis-women, particularly [sic] white cis-women, when it came to acting awards,” they write. Dillion then goes on to point out that other categories, such as awards for editing or directing do not have any gender delineation at all. They also point out that the MTV Movie & TV Awards recently eliminated acting categories based on gender.
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Dillon’s letter came about as a result of SAG asking them to take part as a judge on the 27th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Motion Picture Nominating Committee. In the past, Dillon had worked with the Emmy Awards regarding gender-specific categories. Ultimately, that awards board opted to keep gender-specific categories, but allow performers to enter themselves for consideration regardless of gender.
At the time of this writing, SAG has yet to respond to Dillon’s request.
DarkZephyr
What’s a “womxn”? Can that even be pronounced?
jayceecook
Another alternative of woman such as “womyn” or “wimmin”. This one is supposed to be “better” because it not only makes “womxn” distinct from man but is also inclusive of non-white “womxn”, trans & NB “womxn”, and “those affected by misogyny, or womxn-related issues.”
And it’s pronounced the same as woman. ¯\_(?)_/¯
DarkZephyr
Seems rather misandristic to me. I have no respect for people who invent new words to avoid spelling the “man” part of “woman” because they don’t want men and women to be associated in any way. Sexism is disgusting no matter who it comes from.
layneautry4
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a friend who was doing a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me lunch simply because I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to talk about this subject here on your web page.
Toofie
This is just looking for a reason to be offended.
missvamp
You are part of the problem.
jayceecook
They, please. Get over thyself. If you are not a part of the binary system stay out of the things that exist within it. Those of us who operate on either end and in the middle of the binary spectrum are as valid as those who are outside it. Quit trying to erase us because you feel your way of life is better.
Also, there has always been 2 categories for acting. Best Actress wasn’t added later “as a means of combating the chronic and systemic overlooking of cis-women, particularly [sic] white cis-women, when it came to acting awards…” Janet Gaynor won Best Actress at the 1st AA.
JessPH
Why should the rules be changed just to please the 0.0001% of actors who identify as “non-binary”?
spacecadet
By your own reasoning, why should the definition of marriage or hate crime laws be expanded to include gays when they make up a small percentage of the population?
dhmonarch89
I guess you are a space cadet- because 10-15% when you add up all LGBT is a much more significant number than 0.0001 or whatever.
spacecadet
@dhmonarch: Insulting my screen name is an easy go to tactic of a bully (and not a very good one) and someone who can’t make a good argument. Case in point: 10-15% is still a relatively small minority of people. So why should people cater to one minority but not another? All minorities should be respected. This is America.
dhmonarch89
So- you’re for knifing EVERY Binary actress in the back-? An actress will never win an award again if following Dillon’s policy- they will barely get nominated- because the men get 20-1 film roles. So- we throw 50% of society out the door to create another thing we all have to swallow or be labelled bigots?
frapachino
Violent eye roll!
Troysky
@frapachino EXACTLY. Total bs. This is like advocating M2F trans being allowed to participate on women’s sports team or single-type team, like track racing against women. A total GD mess that nets out to not being fair. Asia is an AH.
dhmonarch89
I’m getting so sick of today! With everyone in 1 category- since women’s parts are few and far between- they could have 10 nominees and they’d be lucky if 2 women were in the field. Way to stab women in the back.
dhmonarch89
Sam Smith is non binary and if we mistakenly refer to Sam as he/him- we get roasted…YET- in Sam’s songs, Sam uses masculine words, referring to Sam as ‘Man’ and a duet partner calls Sam ‘boy’ I guess when it’s more marketable, tradition sells
Troysky
….yep. total confusion.
Aries3dc
While well-intended, this is a horrible idea. If we eliminate gendered categories, then the remaining acting categories will be dominated by cis men. I think this change would actually lead to fewer non-cis men winning awards.
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Thanks.
TheMarc
A bridge too far…
Maybe adding a non-binary category, I could stomach that. But eliminating best actress/actor and best supporting actress/actor categories…no thanks. I look forward to seeing more gay/lesbian actors and actresses take home the best actor/actress award. I equally look forward to the day a trans actor/actress takes home a best actor/actress award. The more frequently it happens, the better our world becomes. People will acknowledge that your sexuality does not define you as an artist. Heterosexuals do not have the trademark on true masculinity or femininity and transmen and transwomen are what they are; men and women born in bodies that do not match their physical or emotional minds. I believe these trailblazers deserve proper recognition.
I’ve said it before…I do HAVE a problem with the non-binary category. I think it takes away from the struggle of the LGBT community. There are plenty that identify within those 4 letters that exhibit the same traits as non-binary people. This movement is about sexual and gender identity. I fail to see where a gay man that likes to wear ear rings and a skirt fall outside of it and therefore necessitates a whole new category. And I think it makes a mockery of the deep struggle that our trans family goes through.
wikidBSTN
There is a commendable point here. Why have achievement differences between men and women? I understand it in sports – where the physical attributes between male and female are generally significantly different, but why in acting – or cooking – or art or just about any other endeavor that is not limited to physical athletic performance? Why separate the men from the women?
jackscott
This is so foolish! There are 2 genders… male & female. Those that are in transition should be counted as their biological gender. Once the surgeries are finished trans folks would be considered the new gender.
How a person “identifies” doesn’t change biology, however, proper medical procedures can help someone change. This isn’t a philosophical question, it is science!
Polaro
Utter nonsense. This is how fringe nutters undermine all our progress.
Ronbo
The world is big enough for both. How about we ‘make room’ rather than deny entrance?
jjose712
That’s not a good idea for so many reasons.
First, movies like to promote their films with the nominations to the big awards, so less cathegories, less nominations.
And second, everybody knows what’ll happen if during two or three consecutive years the winner is a man
southernscot
The SAG awards are quite different to the MTV movie and TV awards. The MTV awards categories are more suited to not having a gender association. Maybe the solution is for the SAG awards to change their acting categories to be broader that then removes the gender association. There seems to be a reasonable mix of winners in the MTV awards, even though the categories may seem a bit more frivolous. I think the Golden Globes could change more easily as they already separate out a bit on genre of the movie, maybe this could be taken further by all acting awards and bring in a more current view on how people are recognised for achievement.
Sam Smith is an interesting example of this very situation. They have accepted awards both in non gender specific award categories, like best artist of the year and gender specific awards like Best male artist and I don’t remember them having an issue accepting either type. So is it really that big an issue? Is Asia Kate saying that they would not accept a best actress nomination. We hear so often from stars that it is just an honour to be recognised at all.
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RobF
We haven’t even solved the public bathroom issue for the trans community. And now you want to add this? What’s next – a gender neutral Mother’s or Father’s Day?
jayceecook
Well there is National Parent’s Day in the USA every 4th Sunday in July. Though it’s still mostly hetero leaning and very much binary. South Korea has a similar one in May.
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Luvstoread
Am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculous?
nystrele
BOO!
This sort of outreach will potentially disrupt/destroy all progress that generations previous LIKE MINE have strived SO HARD to stop prejudice against LGBTQ…
I hope to heavens SAG/AFTRA tosses this nutty idea in the dumpster…