Since it premiered last year, Pose has been a triumph among audiences across the globe. The groundbreaking FX series from Ryan Murphy has been hailed for its LGBTQ+ representation which is centered around New York’s LGBTQ ballroom scene of the late ’80s and early ’90s.
The series’ cast is composed of the largest trans cast to date, including MJ Rodriguez, Indya Moore, and Dominique Jackson. In addition to the cast, it can also tout that it has staffed trans writers and directors like Janet Mock and, in season two, Our Lady J.
The main reason we all know and love the series? Well outside of its powerful storytelling, fierce costumes, and one-liners for days, Pose is a show with a mission. It centers the lives of one of the most marginalized groups while highlighting just how full those lives are. And it’s not like anything else we’ve ever seen on TV before.
So, it’s no shocker of course when the nominations for the 2019 Emmys were announced earlier today and Pose — from Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals — was among the TV shows that were honored.
What was shocking, however? Pose‘s trio of leading ladies — Mj Rodriguez (Blanca Evangelista), Indya Moore (Angel Evangelista) and Dominique Jackson (Elektra Abundance) — all trans actresses — were very noticeably left out.
This isn’t the first time the Emmys have made such a noticeable snub — especially when it comes to people of color. But just when we thought we moved two steps further, the award show once again proved just how dated they are.
Though Rodriguez, Moore, and Jackson were snubbed, Pose was nominated for outstanding drama series alongside Better Call Saul (AMC), Bodyguard (Netflix), Game of Thrones (HBO), Killing Eve (BBC America), Ozark (Netflix), Succession (HBO) and This Is Us (NBC).
Actor and fashion icon Billy Porter, also a series lead, was also nominated for outstanding lead actor in a drama series.
The Primetime Emmy Awards will be handed out Sunday, September 22. Do you plan on tuning in?