Jeremy Renner Clarifies Gender Pay Gap Remarks: ‘I Have Always Supported Women’

Jennifer Lawrence’s “American Hustle” co-star hopes for “equality not just in pay, but social acceptance” after saying it’s “not my job” to negotiate alongside females actresses

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Jeremy Renner has taken to social media to clarify remarks he previously made in regards to the gender pay equality debate stirred up by his “American Hustle” co-star Jennifer Lawrence.

“On the issue of gender equality I have always supported women deserving equal pay. Period,” Renner wrote on WhoSay. “A person should be rewarded only by their merit or service to their given field. Gender, race, creed, or sexual orientation should have absolutely no influence in pay, positively or negatively.”

Earlier in the week, when approached by Business Insider about whether he would be willing to negotiate alongside his female co-stars in the future, Renner said that isn’t among his duties.

“That’s not my job,” Renner responded. “I don’t know contracts and money and all that sort of stuff.”

The line of questioning was prompted by an open letter written by Lawrence, taking on the issue of the gender gap in Hollywood, and in particular the fact that she got paid less than her “American Hustle” co-stars — a fact that was revealed through the Sony data hack.

Renner’s response made him seem uninterested in the issue, which many took in stark contrast to Bradley Cooper’s endorsement of Lawrence’s comments. However, he’s come out to clarify his initial comments, “because this is important to me,” according to his WhoSay message.

“I have always asked for all of us to move towards a unity and equality not just in pay, but social acceptance and discover compassion and tolerance within ourselves, to bridge our differences; united we stand,” he said. “We will always be one. Like it or not.”

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