As award season gets underway, we are quickly learning about all of the 2021 nominations. But one of this year's biggest award show's made headlines this week when they announced a certain LGBTQ+ star's up for an award. Pose star Mj Rodriguez received an Emmy nomination for Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Consequently, this makes her the first trans woman in history recognized in a lead acting category. Audiences praise her work playing house mother Blanca in the FX drama’s third and final season.
Pose gained nine nominations for its final season. In addition to Rodriguez, the show snagged noms for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Billy Porter.
Despite the fresh news, Rodriguez is already celebrating her breakthrough in the tv industry. Amid the Cannes film festival, Rodriguez took some time to speak out about the announcement.
Rodriguez tells AP that she is grateful to know “that we are finally being seen the way we need to be seen, and that our stories can now be seen as human stories. It just opens the diaspora, opens everything even more. There are limitless amounts of stories that can now be told, simply because of this happening.”
Just how influential is Rodriguez's role among the LGBTQ+ community?
However, Rodriguez and her family weren't the only ones celebrating. In fact, GLAAD's Sarah Kate Ellis penned an open letter to fans. The words commend the nomination as a great accomplishment for the LGBTQ+ community.
“This television season Emmy voters have the opportunity to make history — an opportunity to celebrate an entire underrepresented community that hasn’t been valued for their artistic vision, creativity, or contributions,” the letter read.
“From the beautifully crafted storylines to the remarkable cast performances, Pose broke new ground for transgender inclusion both in front of and behind the camera, leaving behind a legacy that will change the future of trans representation on television."
It continued, "In its final season, TV Academy voters must acknowledge the importance of telling and recognizing diverse storytelling, which includes the performances of trans people of color who have been overlooked for far too long.”
Overall, 2021 was big for both LGBTQ+ and racial representation.  According to The Hollywood Reporter, people of color comprise at least half of the spots in the lead drama actor and actress races for the first time in Emmys history. 
Let's hope this is a trend we see increase in the future years of award seasons.
Also check out the complete list of the 73rd annual Emmy Awards nominees, here!