Harry Styles’ portrayal of a gay character in the Amazon Prime Video original film “My Policeman” has been nominated for Best Kiss at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards. Styles’ character shares a passionate kiss with his co-star David Dawson in the film, and this moment has become an iconic representation of same-sex intimacy on the big screen.
Despite the significance of this nomination for the LGBTQ+ community, some have criticized the decision to select this particular kiss for the category. The film, and Styles’ portrayal of a gay man, has been accused of queerbaiting in the past, and the movie received mixed reviews from audiences and critics. The choice to nominate this specific kiss as the only one representing a male-male relationship seems questionable to some.
Furthermore, it’s disappointing that the kiss between the characters played by Murray Bartlett and Nick Offerman in “The Last of Us” was not recognized in this category. The show received widespread acclaim for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships, including the groundbreaking moment when the character of Ellie had her first same-sex kiss on the show. The fact that the show was nominated for a non-LGBTQ+ moment in the Best Kiss category has raised some eyebrows.
Despite the controversy surrounding the nominations, the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards promises to be an exciting event for fans of film and television. The winners will be announced on Sunday, May 7, and viewers can expect to see some of their favorite celebrities and moments from the past year of entertainment.
Overall, the nominations for the Best Kiss category reflect the growing representation of LGBTQ+ relationships in mainstream media, although there is still room for improvement and recognition of more diverse and nuanced portrayals. As audiences continue to demand more authentic and meaningful stories, it is important for award shows and media outlets to recognize and celebrate the diversity of experiences and identities within the LGBTQ+ community.