An update for non-binary and trans actors wanting to join Spotlight

It’s really important to us that you feel welcome on Spotlight, which is why we’re working as fast as we can to remove the need to make a gender selection on our application form. We expect to be able to make the change early in the new year and we’ll announce it here once it’s launched. 

We wanted to provide you with a bit of background as to why this change was not made in time for our wider platform launch in October. For technical reasons beyond our control, the release of the ‘new-look’ application page with gender options matching those on the new site, had to be postponed. As this part of the website runs on a completely different system, we were able to deliver the much-needed changes for our current members whilst keeping the website running smoothly. 

We’re really sorry that we haven’t been able to deliver this change at the same time and can fully appreciate the disappointment you will have no doubt felt upon only seeing binary gender options on a page belonging to an old part of the site. Whilst we are hugely proud and excited about the new gender options we have released for our current members, we realise that we should have done more to forewarn new and returning applicants that  our ‘joining page’ contained binary gender options only. 

All members of Spotlight now have the option to select a range of genders on their profile, including ‘transgender - female’, 'transgender - male' and ‘non-binary’ as well as the option to provide more information, so members are able to better reflect their gender identity. We’re also working on some other exciting plans to make the industry a more inclusive place for trans and non-binary actors, which we will be sharing with you all in the new year. 

If you have any questions or would like further information, please get in touch with our LGBT+ support team, known as SpotPride, at [email protected] 

Lauren McKinnon, Head of Membership

Published 10 November 2020