<\/p>
The Brit Awards have scrapped male and female categories for the first time in the awards\u2019 42-year history, it has been announced.<\/p>\n
From next year, awards will simply be given in best artist categories instead, according to the show\u2019s organisers.<\/p>\n
The move comes following criticism from artists such as Sam Smith, who is non-binary.<\/p>\n
Smith called for the change after they missed out on a nomination at this year\u2019s awards.<\/p>\n
Their album, Love Goes, reached number two in the UK chart, but they felt excluded from the current system which doesn\u2019t acknowledge non-binary artists.<\/p>\n
Writing on social media at the time, the star called for an awards show to \u201ccelebrate everybody, regardless of gender\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Brits have been an important part of my career,\u201d the singer wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post. \u201cMusic for me has always been about unification not division.<\/p>\n
\u201cI look forward to a time where awards shows can be reflective of the society we live in,\u201d he continued. \u201cLet\u2019s celebrate everybody, regardless of gender, race, age, ability, sexuality and class.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Brits Awards have awarded separate male and female artist prizes since they began in 1977.<\/p>\n
In a statement revealing the move to scrap gendered categories, organisers said: \u201cThe Brits confirm that for the 2022 show they will move away from the Female and Male categories, and will launch new awards for Artist of the Year and International Artist of the Year, celebrating artists solely for their music and work, rather than how they choose to identify or as others may see them.\u201d<\/p>
They went on to say the decision was made \u201cas part of the Brits\u2019 commitment to evolving the show to be as inclusive and as relevant as possible\u201d.<\/p>\n
The change will see the female and male awards, won last year by Dua Lipa and J Hus respectively, combined into a single prize for British Artist of the Year.<\/p>\n
The decision will also carry over to the international category, where the best international male and female awards will be merged into a single best international artist prize.<\/p>\n
The Brit Awards are following in the footsteps of the Grammys, which have been gender-neutral since 2012.<\/p>\n
The Arias, Australia\u2019s biggest music awards, followed suit earlier this year, scrapping Best Male and Best Female categories.<\/p>\n
In recent years, the Brit Awards have faced criticism for the dominance of male nominees, and there have previously been concerns that scrapping gendered categories could further marginalise female acts.<\/p>\n
Excited To Announce ????I\u2019m going to be your host for the 2022 @brits<\/a> Awards. This is a huge honour for me and being a fan of music I can\u2019t wait bring fun, unlimited vibes and an award show the music fan can feel part of #BRITs<\/a> love for the continued support it always means a lot pic.twitter.com\/p0pHl3dvrz<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Mo Gilligan (@MoTheComedian) November 22, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote>