Find Out Why Stars Including Amber Tamblyn and Brie Larson Are Saying #TimesUp
Recent events in Hollywood have helped to empower countless individuals in the entertainment business to speak out when it comes to their experiences of sexual abuse and harassment. And now, stars such as Selena Gomez, Brie Larson, Amber Tamblyn, and more are standing up with women and men in all industries by saying “time’s up.”
Tamblyn, along with scores of other celebs, took to social media on Monday, January 1, to spread an incredibly important message — one specifically addressed to women working in agriculture, but meant for all people in all industries. “An open letter appears in @LaOpinionLA and @nytimes today from us to our sisters in the Farm Worker’s Union,” Tamblyn tweeted by way of explanation. “It’s also a call to arms. We’ve started a legal defense fund supporting those across industries who’ve experienced abuse in the workplace. Join us. #TIMESUP”
An open letter appears in @LaOpinionLA and @nytimes today from us to our sisters in the Farm Worker’s Union. It’s also a call to arms. We’ve started a legal defense fund supporting those across industries who’ve experienced abuse in the workplace. Join us. #TIMESUP (link in bio) pic.twitter.com/Zr5C4QgcXg
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) January 1, 2018
In the piece — which was signed by over 300 women who work in Hollywood, including Ashley Judd, Uzo Aduba, Rose McGowan, Eva Longoria, Natalie Portman, and America Ferrera — Tamblyn and her entertainment industry sisters announce an initiative to fight systematic sexual harassment across all industries. Their goals include fighting for legislation that would penalize companies that tolerate persistent harassment and discourage the use of nondisclosure agreements, which can silence victims, as well as striving for gender parity at studios and talent agencies and starting a legal defense fund to help protect less privileged people in other industries.
They also mention the fact that women who are planning to walk the red carpet at the Golden Globes are being asked to raise awareness by wearing black and speaking about the initiative to reporters covering the event, which is watched by millions of people around the world.
Sexual assault activist Brie Larsonadded, “Everyone’s resolution for the year: No more accepting sexual harassment and inequality at work as normal. It’s not normal. The @TIMESUPNOW Legal Defense Fund will provide subsidized legal support for women in ALL industries who are experiencing sexual harassment, abuse, or discrimination. I signed the solidarity letter & donated to the @TIMESUPNOW Legal Defense Fund — you should too!”
The legal defense fund, which already has $13 million in donations, intends to provide subsidized legal support to both women and men who have experienced sexual harassment, assault, or abuse in the workplace or “while in pursuit of their careers.” According to the Time’s Up campaign website, the fund will allow a network of lawyers and public relations professionals from across the country to work with the Center’s Legal Network for Gender Equity to “provide assistance to those ready to stand up. Access to prompt and comprehensive legal and communications help will mean empowerment for these individuals and long-term growth for our culture and communities as a whole.”
Other stars who shared the message encouraging donations to the legal defense fund include Zoe Saldana, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lupita Nyong’o, Kerry Washington, and Selena Gomez, who wrote, “It’s time to shift the balance in the workplace, from representing the few to representing us all. #TIMESUP @timesupnow”
Reese Witherspoon also hopped onto social media to make her mark on the new year, captioning her image of solidarity, “I stand with ALL WOMEN across every industry to say #TIMESUP on abuse, harassment, marginalization and underrepresentation. Join me! Sign the statement of solidarity & donate to the @TIMESUPNOW Legal Defense Fund.”
If you’d like to donate to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, head to their website for more information, or check out the GoFundMe page.
What do you think about the Time’s Up initiative? Let us know @BritandCo.
(Photos via Frazer Harrison/Getty + Sam Santos/Getty Images for Nespresso)