Tag Archives: Emmy Awards

7 Of The Biggest Things To Affect Women in 2015

It’s hard to believe that the year is almost over. 2015 has whizzed by like super progressive blur as so many important political decisions were made and so many important discussions were had about equality.

But what were the most influential? And which events made the most headlines?

Read on for our round up of the biggest things to affect women that happened in 2015.


1. Viola Davis’ Emmy Win

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On this very site, we’ve mentioned countless times how Hollywood is happy to exclude and refuse to hire actors of colour altogether. So naturally, we (and many other people around the world) for ecstatic when Viola Davis won an Emmy Award for her role as bisexual lawyer Annalise Keating.

Making history as the first African-American woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Viola Davis’ also gave an incredible speech that not only quoted abolitionist and humanitarian Harriet Tubman but it also name-checked other black actresses (such as Gabrielle Union and Kerry Washington) and called on Hollywood to offer the same opportunities to women of colour as it does to white women.


2. Misty Copeland Becomes the First Principal Dancer at the American Ballet Theatre

Misty Copeland

The ‘principal dancer’ is a dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company; it’s the role that every ballet dancer would love to hold and it’s one that Misty Copeland, who has been a dancer at the American Ballet Theatre for 14 years, especially wanted to achieve. In her 2014 memoir, Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina, she revealed that “if I don’t rise to principal, people will feel I have failed them”.

But Misty Copeland needn’t have worried to much as in 2015 she was finally promoted to the role of principal dancer in a round of summer promotions. In her role, she became the very first African-American woman to become a principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre’s 75 year history and of the achievement.


3. Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage

Californians React To Supreme Court Rulings On Prop 8 And DOMA

In other historic news from 2015, in June, the United States’ Supreme Court finally had a vote on same-sex marriage. Previously, it had been up to each state in the country to decide individually whether or not same-sex couples could get married putting couples in a difficult position as it meant that they may have to travel hours away from home just to enjoy the same ‘big white wedding in a church’ privilege that opposite sex couples got to enjoy.

Thankfully, on June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court voted to make same-sex marriage a right nationwide. This meant that one great obstacle on the road to equal rights had been defeated and that anywhere in the country, same sex couples could marry each other.


4. FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015

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Another big event making headlines over the summer of 2015 is the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Here at KitschMix we were excited not just because it’s always wonderful seeing talented women do what they do best but because many out athletes such as Megan Rapinoe, Casey Stoney and Abby Wambach would be taking part as well.

Not only did the England women’s national team reach their highest ever position in the tournament (they got 3rd place) but the final, where the USA beat Japan 5-2 also became the most watched football match in US history as it had 25.4 million viewers, beating the 18.2 million viewers who tuned into watch the US men take on Portugal the year before.

(That said, the tournament was also marred by criticism as FIFA made the women play on astro-turf unlike the men’s tournament which was played entirely on grass).


5. Hillary Clinton Running for President

Hillary Rodham Clinton Signs Copies Of Her Book 'Hard Choices' In New York

One of the dominating stories at the beginning of the year was whether or not Hillary Clinton – who had once tried to run for president in 2007 – would run for president again. In an official announcement video in April, Clinton confirmed that she’d be running for president and that she wanted to be a “champion” for “everyday Americans”.

While Clinton hasn’t always been so progressive (she was once against same-sex marriage), nor is she regarded as progressive as (fellow presidential candidate) Bernie Sanders, she has lots of viewpoints that could do some good. Clinton wants to reform the criminal justice system, offer comprehensive immigration reform with a “pathway to citizenship”, she supports LGBT equality and she hopes to close the wage gap between men too.


6. The Rise of the ‘F’ Word

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Feminism, by definition, is the “advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of equality of the sexes” and while there are still plenty of people who do still think that it’s about women having more rights than men, in 2015, lots of influential women revealed why they were feminists,

These include Harry Potter star Emma Watson, girl group Fifth Harmony whose ‘Worth it’ music video included pro-women quotes and Taylor Swift who has spoken out about misogyny in the media and has championed powerful women with her ‘girl squad’ of friends including Serena Williams, supermodel Karlie Kloss and singer and actress Selena Gomez. Admittedly, a lot of the feminist rhetoric this year has surrounded cis, white women and has completely ignored the struggles of trans women and women of colour but it’s a positive step forward at least.


7. The MTV VMAs 2015

2015 MTV Video Music Awards - Press Room

And finally, we had the MTV Video Music Awards 2015. Hosted by professional headline-grabber and former Disney star Miley Cyrus, the MTV VMAs 2015 were always going to get serious attention and while they offended just as much as they did good (one example is comedian Rebel Wilson making light of police brutality), they did give us plenty to talk about.

In the run up to the show, Nicki Minaj called out MTV for ignoring her Anaconda music video saying that the company only “celebrates women with very slim bodies” and overlooks the contributions of black women. Then Taylor Swift got offended and accused the rapper of pitting women against each other and Miley Cyrus then chimed in saying that Minaj’s comments were “not polite”.

During the show, Nicki Minaj called Miley Cyrus out, before criticising her again in the days after the show, saying that Miley enjoys black culture without wanting to address the issues that face black people. It led to some very important and very necessary discussions about race in the media.

Also at the MTV VMAs, Blac Chyna and Amber Rose went as each others dates dressed in outfits emblazoned with things they’d been called (e.g ‘whore’, ‘bitch’, and ‘golddigger’) seemingly in an effort to reclaim those slurs. As eye-catching as their getups were, again, they got people having serious conversations.


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What This Year Emmy’s Meant For Queer Female Visibility?

This year Emmy’s always looked to be promising, with a number of queer shows and female artists being nominated across the board.

However, the actually results showed a true turning point in viewing habits and awarding winning roles out there.

No-longer do white, straight, male-heavy shows dominate our air ways – hurrah.

The highlights were many, starting with Actress Uzo Aduba taking home the Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama Series, her second consecutive Emmy for her role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black.

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Because the show was categorised as a comedy in 2014 and a drama in 2015, Aduba’s win makes her the first actress to win both a drama and comedy award for the same role — an honour previously held only by the actor Ed Asner.

As she thanked a long list of people, Aduba broke down in tears.

I love you mostly because you let me be me.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCX1MqVg6Vk

Viola Davis also made history by becoming the first black woman to win the best lead actress prize for her role in How To Get Away With Murder.

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Accepting her award, she said:

The only thing that separates women of colour from anyone else is opportunity.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrkGmYbvISo

Amazon’s comedy-drama Transparent won awards for best director in a comedy and for its lead actor, Jeffrey Tambor, who plays a transgender college professor.

In Jill Soloway acceptance speech, she noted that 32 states can legally discriminate against her Moppa, and urged viewers to visit transequality.org to show their support for the Equality Act.

We don’t have a trans tipping point. We have a trans civil rights problem.”

The show also picked up best guest actor in a comedy for former West Wing star Bradley Whitford, for his trans character, Marcie

Out writer/director/producer Jane Anderson (who you probably remember from If These Walls Could Talk 2) won Outstanding Writing For A Limited Series, Movie Or A Dramatic Special for Olive Kitteridge.

Olive Kitteridge

Another out women to win was director Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are All RightHigh ArtLaurel Canyon) who worked with Jane on Olive Kitteridge, which also won star Frances McDormond Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie, meaning that two out of three Directing trophies awarded to individual people were won by women.

Queen Latifah’s bisexual epic Bessie won Best Television Movie.

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Jane Lynch won Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program for Hollywood Game Night. And Inside Amy Schumer was named best variety sketch series.

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Political comedy Veep was the winner in the best comedy series category.

 

LGBT Women and Shows Come Out Strong For Emmy Nominations

There are tons of LGBT women, characters, and shows with queer themes nominated at this years Emmy’s.

Here are the highlights:


Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

Tatiana Maslany (finally!) for Orphan Black. Stiff competition: Taraji P. Henson (Empire), Claire Danes (Homeland), Robin Wright (House of Cards), Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder) and Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men).

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Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or A Movie

Queen Latifah as Bessie Smith in Bessie. She’s up against Felicity Huffman (American Crime),Jessica Lange (American Horror Story: Freak Show), Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Honourable Woman), Frances McDormand (Olive Kitteridge) and Emma Thompson (Sweeney Todd).

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Outstanding Television Movie

Bessie has fierce competition in Agatha Christie’s Poirot: Curtain, Poirot’s Last Case, Grace Of Monaco, Hello Ladies: The Movie, Killing Jesus and  Nightingale.


Outstanding Writing For A Limited Series, Movie Or A Dramatic Special

Dee Rees for Bessie and Jane Anderson for Olive Kitteridge. Against: American Crime, Hello Ladies: The Movie, The Honorable Woman and Wolf Hall.


Outstanding Directing For A Limited Series, Movie Or A Dramatic Special

Dee Rees for Bessie and Lisa Cholodenko for Olive Kitteridge. Taking on: Ryan Murphyfor American Horror Story: Freak Show, The Honorable Woman, The Missing and Wolf Hall.


Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Lily Tomlin in Grace and Frankie. Other nominees include Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback), Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer), Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie), Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep).

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Outstanding Comedy Series

Transparent. Other shows in the category include Louie, Modern Family, Parks And Recreation,Silicon Valley, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Veep.

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Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series

Jill Soloway for the pilot of Transparent. Taking on: Jeffrey Klarik (Episodes), Will Forte (The Last Man On Earth) Louis C.K. (Louis), Alec Berg (Silicon Valley) and Tony Roche (Veep).


Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series

Jill Soloway for “Best New Girl” episode of Transparent. Up against: Phil Lord (The Last Man On Earth) Louis C.K. (Louie), Mike Judge (Silicon Valley) and Armando Iannucci (Veep).


Outstanding Drama Series

Orange is the New Black. Taking on Better Call Saul, Downton Abbey, Game Of Thrones, Homeland, House Of Cards, Mad Men.


Outstanding Variety Sketch Series

Portlandia and  Saturday Night Live face contenders Drunk History, Inside Amy Schumer and Key & Peele.

Portlandia


Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Uzo Aduba faces Downton Abbey’s Joanne Froggatt, Lena Headey and Emilia Clarke on Game Of Thrones, Christine Baranski (The Good Wife) and Christina Hendricks as Joan Harris on Mad Men.

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Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series

Rachel Brosnahan as Rachel Posner in House of Cards. Other nominees: Margo Martindale as Claudia in The Americans, Diana Rigg as Lady Olenna Tyrell (Game of Thrones), How To Get Away With Murder‘s Cicely Tyson, Masters Of Sex‘s Allison Janney as Margaret Scully, and Scandal‘s Khandi Alexander.

Rachel Brosnahan


Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Kate McKinnon in SNL and Gaby Hoffmann as the queer Ali Pfefferman in Transparent. Other nominees: Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory), Niecy Nash (Getting On), Julie Bowen (Modern Family), Allison Janney (Mom), Jane Krakowski (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) and Anna Chlumsky(Veep).

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Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or A Movie

Sarah Paulson as Dot and Bette Tattler in American Horror Story: Freak Show and Mo’nique asMa Rainey in Bessie. Competitors: Regina King (American Crime) Kathy Bates (American Horror Story: Freak Show) and Denise Thibodeau (Olive Kitteridge).


Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program

Jane Lynch for Hollywood Game Night. Taking on: Tom Bergeron for Dancing With The Stars,Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn for Project Runway, Cat Deely for So You Think You Can Danceand Anthony Bourdain for The Taste.

Jane Lynch Angel From Hell


The 67th Emmy Awards will air on Sunday, September 20 (8:00 PM ET /5:00 PM PT) on FOX. Start planning your viewing parties, because this is going to be a good one.

Jane Lynch Is Getting Her Own TV Show

Glee is not over yet, but Jane Lynch has already booked her next role.

She has been given her own show, and will be is taking her cutthroat-Sue-Sylvester act in a different direction; playing a sarcastic guardian angel in a new CBS comedy pilot called Angel From Hell.

In the half-hour show — written and executive produced by Scrubs and Spin City’s Tad Quill — the Emmy-winning Lynch plays Amy, guardian angel to Allison, who can’t tell if this she is an actual angel or a deranged life coach who eats intensity for lunch.

More: Sneak Peek: Watch Behind The Scenes of Glee’s Santana and Brittany’s Wedding

Given her previous comedic counselling roles – therefore have been more than one – Lynch should have lots of fun playing both good cop and bad cop in Angel from Hell.

Lynch has won two Emmys, one for her co-starring role on Fox’s Glee and one for hosting NBC’s Hollywood Game Night. She has a long-standing relationship with CBS, stemming from her recurring role on Two and a Half Men where she did 14 episodes over a period of 10 years.

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Best-Dressed Butch of the Week: Lea DeLaria at the Emmys

While many were busy gushing over the Hollywood ladies’ perfect dresses, we here at KitschMix were transfixed on Lea DeLaria Saint Harridan tuxedo.

DeLaria wore a simply tuxedo, shirt and trade mark glasses to the Emmy awards, and showed the world how the butches do it.

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Out TV Star Jane Lynch Picks up a Second #Emmy

Out TV star Jane Lynch has picked up a second Emmy award hosting NBC’s Hollywood Game Night. Best known for her role as Sue Sylvester on Glee, Lynch won the Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program award, for celebrity gameshow Hollywood Game Night.

At last Saturday night’s Creative Arts Emmy awards, she paid tribute to the show’s executive producer – Sean Hayes, who played Jack on Will & Grace, she said:

“Thank you for taking your crazy party and pitching it to NBC… thank you NBC for taking the bait. I hope we’ll do more. I’m tickled pink, actually.” Jane Lynch

Lynch won her first Emmy – for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – in 2010 for her Glee role, and hosted the awards ceremony in 2011.

Also at the awards, actress Uzo Aduba picked up an Emmy for playing lesbian Orange is the New Black character Suzanne Warren, known as Crazy Eyes. She beat out transgender co-star Laverne Cox to take home the award, presented to her by actor Morgan Freeman.