BRIT Awards organisers ask voters to take ‘conscious voting’ lessons ahead of polls opening to encourage more diverse shortlists

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Brit Awards organizers are asking voters to take diversity classes on ‘conscious voting’ before the polls open next month.

Insiders say awards bosses hope the move will encourage voting panels to stop voting for white, heterosexual artists, and instead consider musicians from different ethnic, sexual and gender backgrounds.

The move comes after the prestigious music organization faced backlash when it abolished gender categories in an attempt to allow non-binary artists like Sam Smith to compete, but it led to male-dominated categories.

Male, female and non-binary nominees were combined into one Artist of the Year category in 2022.

First-time winner Adele, 37, spoke about the changes. She said, “I know this category has changed, but I really love being a woman and a female artist.”

Brit Awards organizers are asking voters to take diversity classes on ‘conscious voting’ ahead of the polls opening next month (Harry Styles pictured at 2023 BRITs)

Insiders say awards bosses hope this move will encourage voting panels to stop voting for white, heterosexual artists, and instead consider musicians from different ethnic, sexuality and gender backgrounds (Kylie Minogue photographed BRITs from 2024)

The move comes after the prestigious music body faced a backlash when it abolished gender categories in a bid to allow non-binary artists like Sam Smith to compete, but it led to male-dominated categories (Sam pictured at BRITs 2019)

Last year the awards became further embroiled in a sexism row after the single prize, which honored artists ‘regardless of gender’, resulted in an all-male shortlist including Harry Styles, Stormzy and George Ezra.

A source said: ‘The BRIT awards organizers are doing everything they can to avoid another embarrassing furore.’

“They are determined not to return to the disaster of eliminating gender categories.”

‘Instead, they hope the new training will provide a solution and create more diverse shortlists.’

It follows a move earlier this year to double the number of nominees in the category from five to ten.

Now members of the 1,200-strong BRITs voting academy have been invited to take part in a 90-minute online course where they will ‘learn more about the principles of conscious voting’ on November 27.

The invite read: ‘This bespoke session has been created specifically for BRIT voters and is designed to further support the BRIT Awards’ aims around diversity, equality 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 combined into one Artist of the Year category in 2022. First-time winner Adele, 37, spoke out about the changes (pictured)

Now members of the 1,200-strong BRITs voting academy have been invited to take part in a 90-minute online 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 can feel difficult and uncomfortable, and that it requires constant learning and self-reflection.”

The optional course for Brit Award-winning voters says it will ‘explore the ways in which possible unconscious biases can often reveal themselves. The course aims to ensure that all participants leave with the practical tools needed to reduce the effects of personal and organizational biases and be able to make conscious voting decisions.”

‘It contributes to a more inclusive industry by helping Voting Academy members develop their judgment and decision-making skills.’

The polls close on December 12 and the awards will take place on March 1 at the O2 Arena in London.

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