A collective of 300 powerful actresses, female agents, writers, directors, producers and more in Hollywood have unveiled an action plan to combat sexual harassment in the film and television industry.
According to the New York Times, the “Time’s Up” initiative includes measures such as a $13-million legal defence fund, a push for legislation punishing companies that tolerate harassment, a push within the industry to reach gender parity, and a call for women attending this month’s Golden Globe Awards to wear black and to speak out on the issue.
Among Time’s Up’s members are Ashley Judd, Reese Witherspoon, Rashida Jones, Emma Stone, Eva Longoria, America Ferrera, Natalie Portman and Shonda Rhimes.
“It’s very hard for us to speak righteously about the rest of anything if we haven’t cleaned our own house,” said the “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” creator.
Kerry Washington took to Twitter to stand with the Time’s Up movement, including the open letter published by the initiative.
Defending the all-black dress protest at the Golden Globes, Longoria said, “This is a moment of solidarity, not a fashion moment.”
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For years, we’ve sold these awards shows as women, with our gowns and colors and our beautiful faces and our glamour,” Longoria added. “This time the industry can’t expect us to go up and twirl around. That’s not what this moment is about.”
