In a recent Instagram post, “The Good Place” star Jameela Jamil took a stance against gender-neutral award show categories, arguing that it would be more beneficial for non-binary individuals to have their own separate category.
The actress expressed her concerns regarding the potential exclusion of women in the wake of the Oscars’ decision to eliminate gendered acting awards.
“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 given the known disproportionate amount of men vs women winning at award shows?” she wondered.
Jameela Jamil proposes the idea of non-binary people getting their own category at award shows in new Instagram post:
“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
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) June 18, 2023
She further emphasized the need to expand opportunities for both gender-non-conforming individuals and women within an industry that has historically struggled to provide equal treatment. Acknowledging the existing disparity and the frustration it brings, Jamil highlighted the growing ire among women who find themselves excluded from award opportunities.
She argued that having only one spot available among thousands of actors perpetuates an industry that predominantly favors men and only serves to restrict opportunities rather than expand them.
“I don’t think it will help women or NB people to minimize the amount of possible winners. We should look to EXPAND the possibilities so that both GNC [gender non-conforming] people and women have a fair shot in an industry that has for a long time struggled to treat others equals to men,” she stated.
Jamil’s opinion comes at a time when the Oscars are set to implement new diversity standards in 2024, requiring films to meet at least two out of four diversity criteria to be eligible for the esteemed “Best Picture” award.
The standards necessitate film producers and directors to provide a dossier containing information about the race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability status of the cast and crew members.
Critics of the diversity standards have labeled them as “completely ridiculous.” Concerns have been raised about the mandate potentially hindering the creation of outstanding films as directors have argued that casting decisions should be based on finding the right person for the role rather than being limited by forced choices.
“I’m for diversity, but to make you cast certain types of people if you want to get nominated? That makes the whole process contrived. The person who is right for the part should get the part. Why should you be limited in your choices? But it’s the world we’re in. This is crazy,” a director asked the New York Post.
For Legendary actor Richard Dreyfuss, the idea makes him “vomit” as he criticized Oscar’s push for “the latest, most current idea of what morality is.”
Clearly, some people did not see the issue beyond their lens as Jamil revisited the topic on her Instagram story, responding to accusations of being a “terf” (trans-exclusionary radical feminist). Emphasizing that her intent was to foster inclusivity rather than exclusion, she clarified that she has no qualms about transgender women competing in women’s categories.
Expressing her concern, Jamil highlighted the unfortunate trend of liberals dismissing individuals and discouraging objective discussions on liberal social justice issues.
“I’m not worried about me, I don’t get very affected by it, it’s become just a sad truth in my work that you are easily called a bigot and lumped in with actual bigots who get away Scott free [sic] because liberals throw literally anyone who doesn’t show total obedience into that pool,” she stated.
