GLAAD Awards Drop 'Bohemian Rhapsody' Nom—Will the Oscars Follow Suit?

Controversial Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody has been dropped as a nominee for the outstanding film category at this year's annual GLAAD Media Awards. 

"In light of the latest allegations against director Bryan Singer, GLAAD has made the difficult decision to remove Bohemian Rhapsody from contention for a GLAAD Media Award in the Outstanding Film – Wide Release category this year," GLAAD said in a press release. "This week’s story in The Atlantic documenting unspeakable harms endured by young men and teenage boys brought to light a reality that cannot be ignored or even tacitly rewarded."

The statement continued: 

Singer’s response to The Atlantic story wrongfully used ‘homophobia’ to deflect from sexual assault allegations and GLAAD urges the media and the industry at large to not gloss over the fact that survivors of sexual assault should be put first.   

The team that worked so hard on Bohemian Rhapsody as well as the legacy of Freddy Mercury deserve so much more than to be tainted in this way. Bohemian Rhapsody brought the story of LGBTQ icon Freddy Mercury to audiences around the world, many of whom never saw an out and proud lead character in a film or saw the impact of HIV and AIDS in fair and accurate ways. The impact of the film is undeniable. We believe, however, that we must send a clear and unequivocal message to LGBTQ youth and all survivors of sexual assault that GLAAD and our community will stand with survivors and will not be silent when it comes to protecting them from those who would do them harm.

Other films that involve Singer now or in the future should take note of the backlash to The Atlantic story and other previous allegations. The industry cannot let those who perpetuate harms against anyone – especially vulnerable young people – go unnoticed or unchecked any longer.

GLAAD's decision to disregard Bohemian Rhapsody as a contender at this year's awards ceremony (which honors the best media representations of and for the LGBT community) comes in response to allegations published earlier this week in The Atlanticof sexual misconduct by director Bryan Singer.

The Atlantic's exposé features harrowing accounts from four men who claim the openly gay Bohemian Rhapsody director had sexual contact with them when they were underage. Singer himself then responded yesterday, calling The Atlantic's allegations against him a "homophobic smear piece."

Following the news of GLAAD dropping their nomination for Bohemian Rhapsody, people took to Twitter to call on other awards shows, namely the Academy Awards, to follow suit.