An up-and-coming Broadway star is popping down the chance to be eligible for a Tony Award this 12 months — however not for an absence of deserving it.
Justin David Sullivan declined eligibility, according to Playbill, refusing to be categorized as male or feminine.
Sullivan, who identifies as non-binary, stars in “& Juliet” on the Stephen Sondheim Theatre and performs a non-binary character.
“I was told that I had to choose [the category in which] I felt comfortable, and in that process, I struggled a lot,” Sullivan told Playbill. “I felt like I couldn’t choose. I didn’t feel right being in either category because it didn’t resonate with me. I decided the only thing that felt right to me would be to abstain from nomination consideration.”
Sullivan stated a part of the rationale for the choice was to empower different non-binary individuals and performers.
The Broadway League and The American Theatre Wing, who placed on the Tony Awards, stated in a press release that they're discussing the best way to make the awards classes extra inclusive, however that it was too late to make any adjustments for this 12 months's awards.“We recognize that the current acting categories are not fully inclusive, and we are currently in discussion about how to best adjust them to address this,” the teams stated. “Unfortunately, we are still in process on this and our rules do not allow us to make changes once a season has begun. We are working thoughtfully to ensure that no member of our community feel excluded.”
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