NEW YORK — One of the stars of the Broadway hit musical “& Juliet” has withdrawn their name from Tony Awards consideration after they were told they would have to “choose between one of two gendered categories.”
Justin David Sullivan, a transgender nonbinary singer and actor who’s “passionate about diversity and representation in the performing arts” is currently on Broadway playing one of the main roles in the critically acclaimed musical.
On Wednesday, the 23-year-old Broadway newcomer announced they were opting out of the prestigious award, in which the acting awards are divided into categories for men and women.
“I was disheartened to learn that the Tony Awards are not planning on making this year’s nomination categories more inclusive of gender expansive for trans nonbinary performers like myself,” Sullivan said Thursday in a statement shared on social media.
“Because I was told I had no other option but to choose between one of the two gendered categories in which I would be eligible, I had no choice but to abstain from being considered for a nomination this season,” Sullivan — who uses he, she or they pronouns — added.
“& Juliet” is a coming-of-age musical created by the Emmy-winning writer of “Schitt’s Creek” David West Read and the Swedish pop songwriter extraordinaire Max Martin. It imagines a world where Shakespeare’s Juliet doesn’t end it all over Romeo.
Sullivan plays one of Juliet’s best friends — the nonbinary adolescent May.
Speaking as a “non-binary performer playing a non-binary principal role on Broadway,“ Sullivan said they “could not in good faith move forward with denying any part of my identity to conform to a system and structure that does not hold space for people like me.”
Even though it was a “difficult” decision, they hope the move can lead to a change in policy for future awards. Last year, Asia Kate Dillon, a nonbinary performer who played Malcolm in a production of “Macbeth,” also asked not to be considered.
“I am hopeful that award shows will learn from this and make meaningful changes necessary to consider, nominate, and award people of all gender identities going forward,” Sullivan said.
Reps for both Sullivan and Tony Award Productions didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily News on Thursday.
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