Mj Rodriguez just made history as the first trans person nominated for a major acting Emmy

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Mj Rodriguez just made history as the first trans person nominated for a major acting Emmy
Mj Rodriguez attends the 71st Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. ( Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty
  • Mj Rodriguez is the first trans person to be nominated for a major acting award at the Emmys.
  • Rodriguez was recognized in the best lead actress in a drama category for her role on "Pose."
  • Last year, the Television Academy was criticized for repeatedly snubbing the trans actors on "Pose."
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"Pose" star Mj Rodriguez just became the first transgender woman ever nominated for best lead actress in a drama at the Emmys and the first trans performer ever nominated for any major acting category at the awards show, Variety reports.

The upcoming 73rd annual Emmy Awards nominations were announced on Tuesday morning, when Rodriguez's nod was revealed.

Rodriguez, who plays Blanca Evangelista on the FX drama, was nominated in the category alongside Uzo Aduba ("In Treatment"), Olivia Colman ("The Crown"), Emma Corrin ("The Crown"), Elisabeth Moss ("The Handmaid's Tale"), and Jurnee Smollett ("Lovecraft Country").

Rodriguez's costar Billy Porter was also nominated for best actor in a drama this year for his performance on "Pose." Last year, Porter was the sole acting nominee recognized for the FX series, which follows the stories of Black and brown gay and trans New Yorkers living during the ballroom era and through the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and early '90s. The third season was the show's last, and its series finale aired in June.

Last year, the Television Academy was criticized for repeatedly snubbing all of the Black trans and nonbinary stars in "Pose."

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You can read the full list of nominees here.

The Emmy Awards will air on Sunday, September 19 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. First-time host Cedric the Entertainer will lead the show's in-person event at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California.

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