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
Greg Gilman | May 12, 2015 @ 6:39 AM
Last Updated: May 12, 2015 @ 11:43 AM
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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 Over 40 Who Are Still Conquering Hollywood (Photos)
Amy Adams (born 1974)
Academy Award nominated Amy Adams is best known for roles in Disney's "Enchanted" and "Arrival." She most recently starred in Tom Ford's "Nocturnal Animals."
Cameron Diaz first made her mark in Hollywood with comedies like "There's Something About Mary" and "The Mask." She most recently starred alongside Will Smith in "Annie."
The two time Academy Award winning actress is best known for her role in "The Aviator." She has since starred in films like "The Lord of the Rings," "Babel," and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Blanchett will appear as the villain in the November blockbuster "Thor: Ragnarok
Zeta-Jones is best known for starring in "Intolerable Cruelty" and "Ocean's Twelve." She most recently starred as Olivia de Havilland in the FX limited series "Feud."
Famke Janssen is best known for playing Jean Grey in the "X-Men" film series. Recently she's had a recurring role on the TV series "How to Get Away With Murder" alongside Viola Davis and "The Blacklist"
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." Most recently she's starred on BET's first scripted drama "Being Mary Jane."
Gwyneth Paltrow has been starring in notable Hollywood films since the early 90's and it doesn't look like she's slowing down any time soon. She's been a staple of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Pepper Potts.
Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry was once one of the highest paid actress in Hollywood, and to date is the only black woman to win the Best Actress Oscar. She most recently starred in "Kingsman: The Golden Circle."
Helena Bonham Carter has starred in films like "Fight Club," "Hamlet," and the "Harry Potter" film series. She will also be playing a role in "Ocean's Eight."
Even though she's best known for playing Rachel on "Friends," Jennifer Aniston hasn't let that role define her entire career. She most recently starred in "The Yellow Birds," which premiered are Sundance.
Connelly made her debut in film with "Once Upon a Time in America." Since, she has starred in movies like "A Beautiful Mind" and "He's Just Not That Into You." Her upcoming projects include "Only the Brave" and "Alita: Battle Angel."
Jennifer Lopez is probably one of few actresses to have both a successful musical and acting career simultaneously. Lopez has starred in films like "The Wedding Planner" and "Monster in Law," her must recent project is "Ice Age: Collision Course."
Jodie Foster had her breakthrough role in "Taxi Driver." She also had roles in "Silence of the Lambs," "Contact" and "Panic Room," and is currently working on "Hotel Artemis." She's also sat in the director's chair several times, most recently with "Money Monster" and an episode of the upcoming season of "Black Mirror."
Quite possibly one of the best actresses of our time, Julia Roberts starred in films from "Pretty Woman to "Erin Brockovich" and has been cited as the highest paid actress in Hollywood for years. Her latest project is "Wonder," which will be released later this year.
Leslie Mann is most known for her roles in comedy films like "The Other Woman," and "Knocked Up." Her upcoming projects include "Blockers" and "The Women of Marwen."
Marisa Tomei had her breakthrough role in "My Cousin Vinny." Since, she's starred in films like "What Women Want" and "Anger Management." Recently she's taken on the role of Aunt May in "Spiderman: Homecoming" and "Captain America: Civil War."
This multi-hyphenate first garnered attention as Sookie in "Gilmore Girls." Since, she's played in notable films like "Bridesmaids" and "Ghostbusters." Her upcoming projects include "Life of the Party," "Can You Ever Forgive Me?," and "The HappyTime Murders." Not to mention her incredibly memorable turn as Sean Spicer on "SNL."
Meryl Streep currently holds the record for being the most nominated actor at the Oscars. She's starred in notable films since the 1970's and still has projects coming out next year like "Mary Poppins Returns."
Monica Bellucci is conquering both European and American film markets. She gained worldwide attention with films like "Brotherhood of the Wolf" and "Malèna" and the "Matrix" sequels. She was also the oldest woman to be cast as one of the Bond Girls. Bellucci most recently appeared in the 2017 "Twin Peaks" revival series.
Naomi Watts got her big break with David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive." Since then she's had roles in "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger" and "The Ring." She most recently starred as Janey-E in "Twin Peaks."
Nia Long has had almost a lifetime of success in Hollywood. She starred in the 90's classics "Boyz n the Hood" and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." She currently appears on "NCIS: Los Angeles."
Nicole Kidman has won just about every major acting award out there and for good reason. She starred in "The Hours," "Rabbit Hole," and "The Others." She most recently appeared in the HBO hit "Big Little Lies."
Octavia Spencer only recently had her big break with her role in "The Help" in 2011 -- and she won an Oscar for it. Since, she's starred in "Fruitvale Station," "The Divergent" series, and "Hidden Figures." Her most recent projects include "The Gifted" and "A Kid Like Jake" which comes out in 2018.
This one doesn't even need any explanation. It's Oprah. But she will be starring in Ava DuVernay's "A Wrinkle in Time" which premieres in 2018. Plus she has an entire television network and produces "Queen Sugar."
Weisz is best known for her roles in "The Mummy" film series. She's also had roles in "About a Boy" and "Constantine." Her upcoming projects include "The Mercy" and "Favourite" which are both out in 2018.
Salma Hayek was a staple of 90s genre flicks like "Desperado," "The Faculty" and "Wild Wild West" before landing an Oscar nod for portraying Frida Kahlo in the film "Frida." She most recently starred in "The Hitman's Bodyguard."
Sanaa Lathan has starred in many cult classics like "Love & Basketball," "The Best Man," and "Brown Sugar." She currently stars in the TV series "Shots Fired."
Sandra Bullock has basically starred in all of our favorite movies from "Miss Congeniality" to "While You Were Sleeping" to "The Blind Side." She will be starring in the much anticipated film "Ocean's Eight" which is out in 2018.
Taraji broke out in "Baby Boy," and has garnered recognition for her roles in "Hustle and Flow" and 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." She most recently starred in "Hidden Figures" and rocks everybody's world as Cookie on "Empire."
Tilda Swinton is known for her roles in "The Chronicles of Narnia" film series and "The Deep End." She most recently starred in "Doctor Strange" and "Okja" and her voice talents will appear in 2018's "Isle of Dogs."
Tina Fey is best known for her comedic acts on "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock," but she's had great success on the big screen too. She's starred in hit movies like "Date Night" and "Baby Mama." She most recently starred in "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot."
Toni Collette received recognition for her role in "The Sixth Sense." Since, she's starred in "About a Boy" and "The Hours." She most recently starred in "Unlocked" and has a film coming out in 2018.
Uma Thurman garnered critical acclaim for her role in "Pulp Fiction." Since, she's starred in "Les Misérables" and "Kill Bill" and numerous other flicks. She currently has two films coming out this year, "The War With Grandpa" and "The Brits Are Coming."
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 currently has projects lined up until 2019.
Viola Davis has had minor roles in shows like "Law and Order" and movies like "Kate and Leopold," but it wasn't until her Oscar-nominated performance in "Doubt" that she began to receive the recognition she deserved. Since she's also garnered critical acclaim for her role in "Fences" and "The Help." She currently stars in ABC's hit series "How to Get Away With Murder."
1 of 40
From Amy Adams to scene-stealer Judi Dench, here are 40 actresses who aren’t letting four-plus decades slow down their career
Amy Adams (born 1974)
Academy Award nominated Amy Adams is best known for roles in Disney's "Enchanted" and "Arrival." She most recently starred in Tom Ford's "Nocturnal Animals."
