Golden Globe Winners Ask for More Inclusivity

Although the 2021 Golden Globes had several LGBTQ nominees and winners, inclusivity was still lacking.

When Schitt’s Creek won Best Comedy Television Series, the show’s star Dan Levy used his airtime to urge the awards show to recognize more diverse talent. His comments come following a wave of backlash against the Golden Globes after it snubbed many Black-led projects and the recent revelation that its voting body, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), does not have a single, Black member among its 87 constituents.

“This acknowledgement is a lovely note of confidence in the messages Schitt’s Creek has come to stand for,” Levy says. “Inclusion can bring about growth and love to a community. In the spirit of inclusion, I hope this time next year, this ceremony reflects the true breadth and diversity of the film and television being made today, because there is so much more to be celebrated.”

The controversy surrounding the 78th Golden Globes began after its nominations list notably omitted several Black-led projects and actors in its main categories. Films like Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods, Shaka King’s Judas and the Black Messiah, George C. Wolfe’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Regina King’s One Night in Miami were passed up for Best Picture consideration.

In regards to television, the HFPA failed to recognize Michaela Coel’s drama, I May Destroy You, which garnered critical acclaim for its conversation around sexual violence.

It was revealed only a couple days ago that there is not one, single, Black member in the HFPA voting body. Directors and showrunners like Ava Duvernay, Shonda Rhimes, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Judd Apatow made statements on social media calling for the Globes to address its lack of diversity. They were joined by actors like Sterling K. Brown, Amy Schumer, and Olivia Wilde, among others.

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These figures and stars used the hashtags #TimesUP and #TimesUpGlobes, signaling their participation in a campaign led by Times Up, the organization founded in the wake of #MeToo that aims to increase gender and racial diversity in the entertainment industry. Ahead of the ceremony, the group called on NBC to stop broadcasting the show.

Three representatives of the HFPA made statements throughout the evening about the organization’s vow to address their diversity issues.

Helen Hoehne, the group’s vice president, admitted that “we have our own work to do,” while former president Meher Tatna stated the HFPA “must also ensure everyone from all underrepresented communities gets a seat at our table, and we are going to make that happen.” The HFPA’s current president, Ali Sar, chimed in by saying that the group looks forward “to a more inclusive future.”CEO and Time’s Up President Tina Tchen responded to HFPA’s comments by saying they “indicate a fundamental lack of understanding of the depth of the problems at hand.” She urged the HFPA to address the systematic problems within the organization.

“Your stated version of change is cosmetic—find Black people,” Tchen added. “That is not a solution.”

In addition to Levy, the issue was addressed by fellow actors Jane Fonda, Sterling K. Brown, Susan Kelechi Watson, and the ceremony’s hosts, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.