The 2021 Emmys have come and gone, with shows like Ted Lasso and The Crown sweeping the night and performers such as Jean Smart, Jason Sudeikis and Olivia Colman recognised for their work.
Of course, there were also some notable snubs, such as the late Michael K. Williams not winning Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and Wandavision not winning anything at all despite receiving a massive 23 nominations.
The 73rd iteration of the event has also been criticised for its lack of diversity, as non-white performers were overlooked in favour of their white counterparts. This outcome was particularly disappointing seeing as artists of colour made up almost half of the total nominations across the categories.
Mj Rodriguez, Rosie Perez, Bowen Yang and Kristen Anderson Lopez were some of the non-white performers who were recognised for their stellar performances in the nominations, with Pose star Rodriguez’s nomination making history as she was the first transgender woman to be nominated in the leading actress category. Rodriguez’s co-star Billy Porter also received a nomination in the lead drama actor category, having previously won the Emmy in 2019.
Pose, which celebrates the LGBTQIA+ ballroom scene in 1980s and 90s New York, was also nominated in the Outstanding Drama Series category. The show itself has made history for featuring the largest number of transgender performers and cast members ever assembled for a TV series.
The show’s co-creator, executive producer, writer and director — Steven Canals — may not have seen his creation, which wrapped with its third and final season this year, take home any statuettes at the 2021 event, but he decided to share his planned acceptance speech anyway.
Canals shared his intended speech via his Twitter account as a way of honouring icons of the LGBTQIA+ community such as Marsha P. Johnson while paying homage to the talented trans individuals, like Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson and Indya Moore, who made Pose the success it was.
“Well, @PoseOnFX didn’t take home any Emmys last night but that doesn’t change how proud I am of our final season. Here’s what I would have said had I made it up on that stage. All of this will always hold true,” he began.
“The reason I get to stand up here as an openly queer Afro-Latin person is because of my ancestors. In 1969 the fight for Trans and Queer liberation reached a fever pitch, built on the backs of the women, who happened to be Trans and Lesbian. Who happened to be Black and Latina,” Canals wrote.
“And so I want to honour Marsha P Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major, and Stormé DeLarverie. And that work continues today with Mj Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson, Indya Moore, Hailie Sahar, Angelica Ross, Our Lady J & Janet Mock. Trans is Beautiful. Non-Binary is Stunning. And to be Queer is a gift. We LGBTQ+ people are cultural leaders, we are culture makers, WE ARE UNMATCHED!! Don’t let anyone tell you anything otherwise.”
Well, @PoseOnFX didn’t take home any Emmys last night but that doesn’t change how proud I am of our final season. Here’s what I would have said had I made it up on that stage. All of this will always hold true. 🏳️🌈✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿🏳️⚧️ #PoseFX pic.twitter.com/NxsGKfv8ol
— Steven Canals (@StevenCanals) September 20, 2021
Just one more reason we really wished this incredible series and its makers had been recognised at the ceremony.
All three seasons of Pose are now streaming on BINGE.
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