Sterling K Brown, Ava DuVernay Among Thousands Who Signed Open Letter to End Gender Pay Bias in Hollywood

Sterling K. Brown, Ava DuVernay and Jane Fonda are among thousands of people who signed an open letter calling on the entertainment industry for gender pay equality for production workers.

“It’s time for the Entertainment Industry to take a hard look at its pay and compensation practices above and below the line to make sure all productions meet the legal — and moral — requirement to pay fairly without discrimination,” says the letter, which will be delivered to the heads of major studios, networks and production companies.

Entertainment union IATSE hired Working IDEAL to evaluate the gender wage bias in four female-dominated crafts in film and television production. The study, which was completed in January 2018, showed a history of gender segregation and stereotyping, along with wage disparity of “hundreds or even thousands of dollars per week less than counterparts in comparable male-dominated crafts.”

Also Read: Time's Up to CBS on Les Moonves Investigation: 'We Are Watching'

The letter also notes that “by reducing women’s economic security and power, the persistent gender pay gap in our industry makes it harder for women to challenge the harassing and abusive behavior that the #MeToo movement and the launch of Times Up have brought to public light.”

It says, “In the current age of #MeToo and the launching of Times Up we have seen that some production companies have moved to correct gender-based wage inequality for actors working on the same projects, but there has not been any similar effort made to address wage gaps for those working behind the scenes. … It is time for real change.”

The letter is endorsed by the ACLU and several other groups. Other signatories include Charlie Day, Don Cheadle, Dan Fogelman, Mandy Moore, John C. Riley, Wanda Sykes, Aisha Tyler and more.

Also Read: Time's Up, USC Launch Diversity Database for Critics and Entertainment Reporters

You can read the letter (and add your name if you wish) here.

Time's Up Stays Strong for Oscars as Catt Sadler, Ronan Farrow, Heather Graham Unite (Photos)

Catt Sadler, Ronan Farrow and Heather Graham were among the leading names and faces of the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements at a Soho House gathering on Thursday night. The packed event honoring Women in Hollywood and benefitting Time's Up drew star support from all corners of the entertainment ecosystem: film, TV, journalism, music, comedy, reality and influencers.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
New Vanity Fair editor Radhika Jones (left) and superstar creative Ava DuVernay (right) hosted the event.

Also Read: Ava DuVernay, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti Roll Out Entertainment Jobs Fund for Minority Communities
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Catt Sadler, who walked away from a job at E! that countless mic-wielding wannabes aspire to, is a significant get. She'll be back on-air Oscar night hosting Vanity Fair's livestream from inside their famed party.

Also Read: Jennifer Lawrence Supports Catt Sadler After E! Exit Over Pay Gap
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Ronan Farrow (posing here with actress Isabelle Fuhrman) is a metaphorical Paul Revere. His 10-month investigation on Harvey Weinstein, published in the New Yorker days after the initial New York Times Weinstein story, elevated a scandal into a flashpoint.

Also Read: 7 Biggest Shockers in Ronan Farrow’s New Yorker Story About Trump and Karen McDougal
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Heather Graham poses on the impromptu red carpet.

Also Read: ‘Boogie Nights’ Star Heather Graham Details ‘Uneasy’ Harvey Weinstein Encounter
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Comedy was well represented: Mary McCormack, Aisha Tyler and Chelsea Handler.

Also Read: Chelsea Handler: Melania Trump Would Be an ‘American Hero’ for Divorcing the President (Video)
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
#MeToo founder Tarana Burke hung with "Creed" and "Thor: Ragnarok" actress Tessa Thompson.

Also Read: Golden Globes: 5 Actresses Who Brought Activists to the Show (Photos)
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
The scene inside Soho House. This private club with a no photography rule rarely allows these type of major events.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Belvedere Vodka
On the left, VF Executive west coast editor Krista Smith with Zendaya. On the right, Caitlyn Jenner.

Also Read: Caitlyn Jenner Breaks Up With Donald Trump in Long Essay
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Padma Lakshmi, who recently crowned the latest winner of "Top Chef," is more of an Emmy weekend regular. She was among the "leading and inspirational" women invited to the event co-produced by VF and advertising partner Lancôme Paris.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Belvedere Vodka
This was not a women-only event. Rita Wilson chats with Paul Feig. These two go back to 1996's "That Thing You Do!" directed by Mr. Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks.

Also Read: Paul Feig-Directed Tech Comedy ‘Girls Code’ Gets Pilot Order at Freeform
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Gaby Hoffmann and Connie Britton. Hoffman's "Transparent" has been rocked by the allegations against Jeffrey Tambor and his subsequent departure from the show.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Belvedere Vodka
Showing support from all corners of the industry, former reality star Whitney Port and fashion commentator Louise Roe were in the mix. Belvedere vodka cocktails and a new female focused Johnnie Walker ("Jane Walker") were also the beverage partners on the night.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Belvedere Vodka
Alia Shawkat, Aubrey Plaza and Zoe Kravitz demonstrate three different ways to sort of smile.
Matt Winklemeyer/Getty Images
Chris Mitchell is the VF Publisher and architect of an elaborate week of nightly sponsor-driven activations featuring the magazine's advertisers. Partnering with films and philanthropies, they colonize the city's choice venues for events that are independent of the magazine's glossy Oscar night bash. Here, he poses with Mindy Kaling.

Also Read: Mindy Kaling, Patton Oswalt, Bette Midler Mock Donald Trump for Calling Himself a Genius
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
J. Alexander and Kat Graham. This is The Party Report's pick for "Duo of the Night."
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Belvedere Vodka
It-girl Paris Jackson, "Stranger Things'" Joe Keery and Maika Monroe.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Nina Dobrev steps in with Clifton Collins Jr.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Belvedere Vodka
Sarah Hyland and Selma Blair.

Also Read: Sarah Hyland Says Her ‘Modern Family’ Character Is Bisexual
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
Oscar parties are just beginning. For TheWrap's full preview on where the nominees will be celebrating before and after the show, click over to here:

Also Read: Oscar Parties 2018: The Top Invites, Events and Nominee Gatherings
(Getty Images for InStyle; Getty Images for the DGA; AMPAS)

1 of 20

Stars from across the entertainment ecosystem gather at Soho House as the first significant gathering of Oscar weekend

Catt Sadler, Ronan Farrow and Heather Graham were among the leading names and faces of the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements at a Soho House gathering on Thursday night. The packed event honoring Women in Hollywood and benefitting Time's Up drew star support from all corners of the entertainment ecosystem: film, TV, journalism, music, comedy, reality and influencers.

View In Gallery

Time's Up Stays Strong for Oscars as Catt Sadler, Ronan Farrow, Heather Graham Unite (Photos)

7DAYFREETRIAL

7
DAY
FREE
TRIAL