Trans Oscar Nominee Anohni Says She's Boycotting Event in Moving Letter

Anohni, the musician sometimes known as Antony Hegarty, is the second openly transgender person to ever be nominated for an Oscar but was not asked to perform at the Academy Awards. In a moving letter published in Pitchfork Thursday, the singer explained why she decided to not attend the ceremony altogether.

Anohni, a Mercury Award winner, is up for Best Original Song. Her song "Manta Ray" is collaboration with J. Ralph for the documentary "Racing Extinction." The event's organizers reportedly had to cut her performance due to "time constraints" and as Rolling Stone points out, Anohni was one of two Best Original Song nominees who wasn't invited to perform during the show (David Lang and Sumi Jo, whose "Simple Song #3" was commissioned for Paolo Sorrentino's Youth, will not perform). Lady Gaga, Sam Smith and The Weeknd will all perform their nominated songs, however.

In her letter to Pitchfork, Anohni writes:

Last night I tried to force myself to get on the plane to fly to L.A. for all the nominee events, but the feelings of embarrassment and anger knocked me back, and I couldn't get on the plane. I imagined how it would feel for me to sit amongst all those Hollywood stars, some of the brave ones approaching me with sad faces and condolences. There I was, feeling a sting of shame that reminded me of America's earliest affirmations of my inadequacy as a transperson. I turned around at the airport and went back home.

She closes her essay by writing:

So I have decided not to attend the Academy Awards this election year. I will not be lulled into submission with a few more well manufactured, feel-good ballads and a bit of good old fashioned T. and A. They are going to try to convince us that they have our best interests at heart by waving flags for identity politics and fake moral issues...America, a country that is no longer contained by physical borders, aspires only for more power and control. I want to maximize my usefulness and advocate for the preservation of biodiversity and the pursuit of human decency within my sphere of influence.

Click here to check out Anohni's letter in full.

When she first found out she was nominated for an Oscar Anohni told Pitchfork at the time: "I don't know that much about the Oscars, to be honest with you. I come from a really different world."

Listen to the nominated song "Manta Ray" below.