SAG-AFTRA affirmed its support for diversity equity and inclusion on Monday, after several major studios walked back their commitments in the face of threats from the Trump administration.
The national board of the actors’ union adopted a resolution stating that DEI is a “moral imperative” and is also “crucial to the creative and economic vitality of our industry.”
In recent weeks, Disney scrapped its Reimagine Tomorrow initiative, which highlighted stories from underrepresented groups, while Warner Bros. Discovery, Amazon and Paramount have taken similar steps.
Popular on Variety
Related Stories
The moves come as the Trump administration seeks to stamp out DEI programs in both the federal government and the private sector. Among the first initiatives of the new Federal Communications Commission chair, Brendan Carr, was an investigation into DEI at NBCUniversal and Comcast.
In its statement, SAG-AFTRA noted that its support for diversity stretches back to 1963, when its predecessor union, the Screen Actors Guild, got non-discrimination language in its contract. That provision, known the “American Scene” clause, obligates producers to “make every effort to cast performers belonging to all groups in all types of roles.”
The diversity provisions have been significantly expanded since then. Among the issues in the most recent negotiation was a provision to provide appropriate hair and makeup consultation for non-white performers.
The resolution adopted at the board meeting on Saturday affirms the union’s “unwavering commitment to equal employment opportunity, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility as fundamental to the mission of our union and the future of our industry.”
The resolution also states that the union “will continue to work with industry stakeholders, advocacy groups, and policymakers to advance meaningful, measurable, and enforceable progress in creating a more inclusive industry, both on-screen and behind the scenes.”
