Justin David Sullivan, a nonbinary performer who plays the character of May in the hit Broadway musical & Juliet, has withdrawn from Tony Award consideration due to the gendered nomination categories, and Tony administrators suggest they’re considering a rule change after the current season.
Sullivan, who uses the pronouns he, she and they, said in a statement, “As a non-binary performer playing a non-binary principal role on Broadway, I have been asked by many what I plan on doing about this year’s award season nomination categories.” “Because I was told I had no other option but to choose between one of the two gendered categories in which I would be eligible,” they continued, “I felt that I had no choice but to abstain from being considered for a nomination this season.
I could not in good faith move forward with denying any part of my identity to conform to a system and structure that does not hold space for people like me.” See Sullivan’s full statement below.
As with the Oscars and Emmys, the Tonys nominate performers in “actor” and “actress” categories, both lead performances and featured (or supporting).
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