In recent weeks, several Hollywood studios and entertainment companies pulled back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives following pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration. Despite this, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists reaffirmed its support for diversity reform.
In a resolution passed by the SAG-AFTRA National Board Saturday, the actors union reported that the accurate portrayal of the “American Scene” is “essential to the integrity and credibility of the entertainment and media industry,” according to a letter by Fran Drescher, SAG president, and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director and chief negotiator. In addition, the letter states that SAG diversity measures have existed since the Sixties, when the formerly known Screen Actors Guild and producers agreed to the “American Scene” clause, which affirmed a non-discrimination policy for “any actor because of race, creed, color or national origin.”
Disney’s Reimagine Tomorrow initiative, which magnified stories from marginalized groups, was pulled in recent weeks, with Walt Disney Co. changing some of its internal DEI policies. Warner Bros. Discovery changed its DEI program to “Inclusion” and Paramount eliminated staffing goals related to race, ethnicity, sex, and gender. The slashing of DEI programs occurred as the Trump administration implemented multiple executive orders aimed at cutting back diversity efforts helmed by federal grant recipients and contractors.
Previous SAG contracts have included provisions that required diversity across Hollywood productions. When SAG-AFTRA ratified its TV/Theatrical contract with Hollywood studios and streamers in December 2023, one of the proposals expanded its pool of hair stylists and makeup artists in an effort to curb hair discrimination. Ultimately, Drescher and Crabtree-Ireland acknowledged that systemic barriers still exist in order to reach inclusion, equal employment opportunities, and accessibility.
“For decades, SAG-AFTRA has advocated for equal employment opportunity within the entertainment and media industry, including meaningful representation of historically underrepresented communities and holding employers accountable to their commitments,” the statement from the organization reaffirming its support for diversity reform said. “That advocacy continues unabated, and is as important now as it has ever been.”
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