The organisers of the Brit Awards are asking voters to take woke ‘conscious voting’ diversity lessons ahead of polls opening next month.
Insiders say awards bosses hope the move will encourage voting panels to stop voting mostly for white, hetro𝑠e𝑥ual artists, and consider musicians from other ethnic, 𝑠e𝑥uality, and gender backgrounds as well.
The move comes after the prestigious music organisation faced a backlash when they abolished gendered categories in a bid to allow non-binary artists like Sam Smith to compete, but it led to categories dominated by men.
Male, female and non-binary nominees were merged into a single artist of the year category in 2022.
Its first winner Adele, 37, spoke out about the changes. She said: ‘I know this category has changed but I really love being a woman and a female artist.’
The organisers of the Brit Awards are asking voters to take woke ‘conscious voting’ diversity lessons ahead of polls opening next month (Harry Styles pictured at 2023 BRITs)
Insiders say awards bosses hope the move will encourage voting panels to stop voting for white, hetero𝑠e𝑥uals artists, and instead consider musicians from other ethnic, 𝑠e𝑥uality, and gender backgrounds (Kylie Minogue pictured at this year’s BRITs)
The music organisation faced a backlash when they abolished gendered categories in a bid to allow non-binary artists like Sam Smith to compete (Sam pictured at 2019 BRITs)
Then last year the awards organisation was further embroiled in a 𝑠e𝑥ism row after the single award, honouring artists ‘irrespective of gender’, resulted in an all male shortlist which included Harry Styles, Stormzy and George Ezra.
A source said: ‘BRIT award organisers are doing everything they can to avoid another embarrassing furore.’
‘They are determined not to row back on the disaster that was getting rid of gender categories.’
‘Instead they hope that the new training course will do the trick, and ensure more diverse shortlists.’
It follows a move earlier this year to double the nominees in the category from five to 10. Now members of the 1200-strong BRITs voting academy have been invited to take part in an online 90-minute course where they will ‘learn more about conscious voting principles’ on November 27.
The invitation read: ‘This bespoke session has been created specifically for BRITs voters and is designed to further support the BRIT Awards’ goals around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).’
The course will be led by Luise Usiskin, a diversity and inclusion consultant, whose other clients include the BBC, The Guardian and the Houses of Parliament.
Male, female and non-binary nominees were merged into a single artist of the year category in 2022. Its first winner Adele, 37, spoke out about the changes (pictured)
Now members of the 1200-strong BRITs voting academy have been invited to take part in an online 90-minute course where they will ‘learn more about conscious voting principles’ on November 27 (Raye pictured at 2024 BRITs)
Ms Usiskin’s work profile states: ‘She understands that DEI work may feel difficult and uncomfortable, and that it requires ongoing learning and self-reflection.’
The optional course for Brit award voters says it will ‘interrogate the ways in which possible unconscious bias can often reveal itself, the course aims to ensure that all participants leave with the practical tools required to reduce the effects of personal and organisational bias and be able to make conscious voting decisions’.
‘It contributes to a more inclusive industry by helping Voting Academy Members develop their judgement and decision-making skills.’
The polls will close on December 12, and the awards will take place at The O2 arena, London on March 1.
