Mj Rodriguez has just become the first transgender actor to win a Golden Globe. On Monday, the ‘Pose’ actress became the first transgender woman to win the 79th Golden Globes for Best Television Actress in a Drama. She won the award for her portrayal of “house mother” Bianca Rodriguez in the show “Pose.”
This was also the first Golden Globe nomination for “Pose,” which debuted in 2018. Rodriguez made history last summer when she became the first transgender performer to be nominated for a lead acting Emmy. But she did not go on to win the award. While “Pose” has been lauded for having the largest transgender cast in a scripted series, the show’s stars have been vocal about their lack of award recognition. In 2020, “Pose” co-stars Indya Moore and Angelica Ross spoke out against the Emmys for failing to include the show’s Black transgender cast among its nominees.
“Something abt trans ppl not being honoured on a show abt trans ppl who created a culture to honour ourselves bc the world doesn’t,” tweeted Moore, who plays Angel Evangelista, a transgender sex worker pursuing a career as a fashion model. “Let’s call it cognitive cissonance.” Angelica Ross, who played Black trans woman Candy Ferocity on the show, retweeted Moore and opened up about the snubs on Instagram at the time. (tropicanabakery.com)
This is the door that is going to open the door for many more young talented individuals
“This year’s drama series had us on the edge of our seats. Congratulations to @MjRodriguez7 for taking home the #GoldenGlobe for Best Television Actress — Drama Series.” A tweet read on the official Twitter handle of Golden Globes. Rodriguez took to social media after winning the trophy to express her joy, writing: “OMG OMGGG!!!! @goldenglobes Wow! You are talking about a sickening birthday present! Thank you! This is the door that is going to open the door for many more young talented individuals. They will see that it is more than possible. They will see a young Black Latina girl from Newark New Jersey who had a dream. To change the minds others would WITH LOVE.”
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which regulates the annual Golden Globes appeared under fire for ethical principles and a scarcity of racial diversity among its members. However, in the light of the diversity issues, many Hollywood A-listers and studios, including NBC, Netflix, and Amazon have declined to attend the ceremony until reforms are implemented.