MTV is set to rename their video award ‘moon person’ instead of ‘moon man’, as it was formerly known. It’s just one of several moves by the network to become a more gender-neutral space with the VMA trophy being one of the more high-profile actions taken by the brand.
Chris McCarthy, president of MTV, said that in addition to the gender neutral trophy, the network would also be removing the gendered categories at the upcoming MTV Movie Awards. McCarty added ‘Why should it be a man? It could be a man, it could be a woman, it could be transgender, it could be nonconformist.’ The Video Music Awards are considered to be some of the most prestigious in the industry and this year will be held on August 27th at 8pm.
McCarthy also discussed a new up and coming show for the network called We Are They. The new commission will follow the lives of young people who don’t conform to a particular gender and document specific moments in their lives. It is thought that this modernisation is part of a larger move to attract younger viewers. The network has seen steadily declining numbers in recent years and they’re hoping that these moves will put MTV back at the centre of what the younger generation is talking about.