According to The Sunday Times, the British Phonographic Industry (the organisation behind the BRITs) is currently reviewing its prize list. Whilst a statement has been issued to the BBC asserting that the BRITs’ awards categories will remain the same for at least the next year, the organisation is reportedly taking stock of ways that they may become more inclusive of non-binary individuals identifying as neither “male” or “female.” Currently under consideration is a move towards scrapping gender-based awards in favour of unisex prizes.
By implementing this change, the BRITs would follow in the footsteps of the MTV Awards, which has put individuals of all genders in direct competition since 2017. This move garnered praise from non-binary Billions actor Asia Kate Dillon on the one hand but, on the other, has been criticised by the likes of Vogue on the grounds that it could disadvantage female-identifying actors and musicians. Similar divisions of opinion have resurfaced in response to the potential changes at the BRITs.
The press has drawn connections between the potential shake-up at the BRITs and multi-time BRIT winner Sam Smith, who recently came out as non-binary. Sam is one of the most high profile artists to publicly identify as non-binary, and will likely be instrumental in creating greater awareness to their community. Unisex categories would avoid artists such as Sam from being misgendered and may also advance a wider dialogue around gender fluidity.
However, whilst the landscape of contemporary pop has been largely shaped by its female voices (Rihanna, Ariana Grande and billie eilish to name but a few) critics such as Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan have been vocal with their concerns that women within the music industry may be further marginalised if awards ceremonies were to introduce unisex prizes. The barriers women face in the music industry have been well-documented but perpetuating the dichotomous male/female categories that have traditionally erased non-binary people is not necessarily the answer. With Internet movements such as #GrammysSoMale attempting to hold music awards accountable for the underrepresentation of female artists, the fight to improve female recognition within music is not necessarily at odds with steps towards making the industry more non-binary inclusive.
