ACLU Demands Investigation Into Hollywood’s Hiring Practices for Bias Against Women
”Hollywood doesn’t get this free pass when it comes to civil rights and gender discrimination,“ a representative from the civil rights organization said
Study after study has shown women don’t appear to be getting a fair shake in Hollywood, and now the American Civil Liberties Union wants to do something about it.
The organization told the New York Times on Tuesday that it will ask state and federal agencies to investigate Hollywood studios, networks and talent agencies, and possibly charge them, over what the A.C.L.U. describes as rampant and intentional gender discrimination in recruiting and hiring female directors.
“Women directors aren’t working on an even playing field and aren’t getting a fair opportunity to succeed,” said Melissa Goodman, director of the L.G.B.T., Gender and Reproductive Justice Project at the A.C.L.U. of Southern California. “Gender discrimination is illegal. And really Hollywood doesn’t get this free pass when it comes to civil rights and gender discrimination.”
The A.C.L.U. has detailed statistical and anecdotal evidence of systemic “overt sex stereotyping and implicit bias” in letters sent to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
“Real change is needed to address this entrenched and long-running problem of discrimination against women directors,” one of the letters reads. “External investigations and oversight by government entities tasked with enforcing civil rights laws is necessary to effectuate this change.”
Goodman has asked the government to take a look behind the scenes as to how studios make shortlists for directors — a Hollywood hiring process she says has “the least transparency.” Goodman wants investigators to look at employer records to determine who makes it onto the lists, and why, since numbers have shown women are far less likely to make the jump from directing an independent film to a studio picture.
Just last year, TheWrap found out of the entire crop of summer movies, only one was directed by a woman. 37 were directed by white men, and just two were directed by black men.
And the A.C.L.U. is pointing a finger at talent agencies, too.
The civil rights organization has collected statements from 50 female directors who report some form of discrimination in their Hollywood career, whether being told by executives that a show was not “woman friendly,” or learning producers told agents “not to send women” for certain jobs.
One female director who spoke to the Times anonymously said this: “Sometimes showrunners will say, ‘This isn’t a good show for a woman director, or our actors are hard on women.'” Or they’re approaching it as if ‘We’re protecting you by not giving you this job.’ That way they turn it on its side, to make everything OK.”
Even worse, the problem appears to extend far past directing gigs. A study by San Diego State University’s Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film shows that women made up only 17 percent of directors, writers, executive producers, producers, editors and cinematographers who worked on the top 250 domestic grossing movies of the year.
“The findings drive home the point that men continue to construct the vast majority of the visual and aural worlds featured in U.S. films,” said Dr. Martha Lauzen, executive director of the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at SDSU.
The same institute also found that there are fewer jobs for leading actresses available, since female characters made up just 12 percent of protagonists in the top 100 domestic-grossing films of 2014. This figure is three percent below 2013’s study and four percent below the number in 2002.
Helen Hunt, an Oscar-winning actress (“As Good as It Gets”) who has directed several TV episodes and two feature films, went on the record earlier this month to say women in Hollywood are “f–ked.”
“What are the great movies for younger women where they’re the protagonist [being] made now? You know what I mean? The whole thing — there’s no equal rights amendment. We’re fucked,” Hunt told the Huffington Post.
40 Actresses in Their 40s Who Are Still Conquering Hollywood (Photos)
Celebrate the leading ladies of Hollywood who are still killing it in their 40s.
Amy Adams (1974)
Academy Award-nominated Amy Adams is best known for roles in Disney's "Enchanted" and "Arrival."
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Kerry Washington (1977)
Kerry Washington broke out in films like "Ray," two "Fantastic Four" movies and Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" but really came into her own on the small screen, picking up Emmy nominations for her work in Shonda Rhimes' "Scandal" and for playing Anita Hill in the HBO film "Confirmation." In 2020, she starred with Reese Witherspoon in "Little Fires Everywhere."
Katherine Heigl (1978)
After her breakout role as Izzie Stevens in "Grey's Anatomy," Heigl went on to star in "Knocked Up," "27 Dresses," and "State of Affairs." She recently starred in Netflix's 2021 "Firefly Lane."
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Zoe Saldana (1978)
Zoe Saldana is best known for starring in science fiction films, ranging from "Avatar" to playing Gamora in "Guardians of the Galaxy."
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Reese Witherspoon (1976)
A star since her teenage years, Witherspoon has expanded her profile with the Draper James fashion and home line as well as producing projects (that she often also acts in) such as "Wild" and HBO's "Big Little Lies."
Gwyneth Paltrow has been starring in notable Hollywood films since the early '90s, most recently as a staple of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Pepper Potts.
Rose Byrne (1979)
The Australian actress can do drama (the series "Damages") or comedy ("Bridesmaids," "Neighbors" and "Physical"). In 2020, she even played Gloria Steinem in the limited series "Mrs. America."
Laverne Cox (1972)
Best known for her role in "Orange is the New Black," Laverne is a fierce actress and LGBTQ+ advocate. She recently served as an executive producer for "Disclosure: Trans Lives On Screen" and has acted in "Promising Young Women" and "The Black List."
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Sandra Oh (1971)
Emmy-nominated Sandra Oh is best known for her leading roles in "Grey's Anatomy" and "Killing Eve." Oh became the first Asian woman to host the Golden Globes in 2019.
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Andrea Navedo (1977)
Beginning her career in daytime soap operas "One Life to Live," and "Guiding Life," Navedo is best known for her role as Xiomara in "Jane the Virgin."
Angelina Jolie (1975)
Academy Award winning Angelina Jolie has starred in "Girl, Interrupted," "Maleficent" and "Mr. & Mrs. Smith." She has also written and directed several war dramas, including "Unbroken" and "First They Killed My Father."
Eva Longoria (1975)
Besides starring on "The Young and the Restless" and "Desperate Housewives," Eva Longoria launched her own production company, UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, in 2016.
Penélope Cruz (1974)
The Academy Award winning actress has graced screens in films such as "Belle Époque," "Sahara," and "Murder on the Orient Express."
Kate del Castillo (1972)
Upon receiving worldwide recognition for her leading role in "La Reina del Sur," she began her acting career in Hollywood, starring in "Under the Same Moon."
Tracee Ellis Ross (1972)
Tracee Ellis Ross broke out in the hit series "Girlfriends." She stars in the popular ABC series "Black-ish" and recently starred in "The High Note." She also received a spin-off series in "Mixed-ish."
Jessica Alba (1981)
As a Golden Globe nominated actress, Alba has tackled everything from "Fantastic Four" to "Sin City" to "LA's Finest."
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Jessica Chastain (1977)
Academy Award-nominated Jessica Chastain made her film debut in "Jolene" and has since been the leading lady in "Miss Sloane" and "Molly's Game."
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Leslie Mann (1972)
Leslie Mann is most known for her roles in comedy films like "The Other Woman," and "Knocked Up."
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Stephanie Beatriz (1981)
Her debut as Detective Rosa Diaz in "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" earned Beatriz the role of Carla in the hit musical film "In the Heights."
Natasha Rothwell (1980)
As a writer and actress on "Insecure," Rothwell has supporting roles in "Wonder Woman 1984" and "Love, Victor."
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Charlize Theron (1975)
From "Mad Max: Fury Road" to "Long Shot," this Academy Award-winning actress can do it all.
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Natalie Portman (1981)
The "V for Vendetta" star received an Academy Award for her performance in "Black Swan." She also starred as Jane Foster in "Thor" and "Thor: The Dark World."
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Sutton Foster (1975)
After winning two Tony awards for her work on the Broadway stage, Sutton Foster broke into Hollywood through her leading debut in "Younger."
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Kate Hudson (1979)
After her Golden Globe winning performance in "Almost Famous," the actress and Fabletics founder has starred in "Bride Wars" and "Music."
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Alicia Silverstone (1976)
The "Clueless" star has also starred in "Batman & Robin" and "Miss Match," along with publishing two vegan cookbooks.
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Michelle Williams (1980)
The "Dawson's Creek" actress has starred in "Brokeback Mountain," "The Greatest Showman" and "My Week with Marilyn."
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Amy Schumer (1980)
Comedian Amy Schumer is best known for her roles in "Trainwreck," "I Feel Pretty," and "Snatched."
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Tyra Banks (1973)
From the "Tyra Banks Show" to 24 seasons of "America's Next Top Model," Banks has always had a place at the table in Hollywood. In 2018, Banks reprised her role as Eve in "Life-Size 2."
Vera Farmiga has had success with hits like the "Conjuring" movies and Best Picture-winner "The Departed," and landed an Oscar nomination for "Up in the Air." She also picked up Emmy nominations for her work in "Bates Motel" and the 2019 miniseries "When They See Us."
Rebel Wilson (1980)
The Australian actress is best known for "Pitch Perfect," "How to Be Single," and her leading role in "Isn't It Romantic."
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Jada Pinkett Smith (1971)
The "Girls Trip" star is best known for her ongoing talk show "Red Table Talk."
Sanaa Lathan has starred in many cult classics like "Love & Basketball," "The Best Man," and "Brown Sugar." She starred in the TV series "Shots Fired."
Bryce Dallas Howard (1981)
"The Help" actress received a Golden Globe Nomination for her performance in "As You Like It." She has recently appeared in "Black Mirror" and "Jurassic World."
Gabrielle Union first had her breakthrough role in the cult comedy "Bring it On." Since she's starred in films like "Think Like a Man," "Deliver Us From Eva," and "Bad Boys II." She starred on BET's first scripted drama "Being Mary Jane."