Time’s Up cause: Hundreds of celebrities and executives join forces to combat sexism

January 2, 2018

by Colleen McGregor

Reese Witherspoon (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Arden)

Hundreds of famous entertainers, notable creators and high-ranking executives have joined forces to launch Time’s Up, a coalition and defense fund aimed at fighting sexism, sexual harassment and sexual abuse worldwide. According to Variety, the Time’s Up defense fund will be administered by the National Women’s Law Center.

Among the celebrities who have already donated to the fund are Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain, Taylor Swift, Shonda Rimes, Eva Longoria, Gwyenth Paltrow, Alyssa Milano, Viola Davis, Kate Hudson, Jessica Biel, Justin Timberlake, Amy Poehler, Olivia Munn, Alicia Vikander, Mary J. Blige, Allison Janney and J.J. Abrams.

As a show of support for Time’s Up and people who have been sexually harassed or sexually abused, people attending the 2018 Golden Globe Awards on January 7 are encouraged to wear black and/or a Times Up pin.

Although sexual harassment is not a new problem, a worldwide movement to speak out and fight against harassment was triggered in October 2017, when several prominent men (most notably, entertainment mogul Harvey Weinstein and actor Kevin Spacey) were disgraced after being accused by numerous people of sexual misconduct.

Before the end of the year, other powerful men had epic fallouts for their alleged misdeeds that resulted in firings, resignations and cancelled business deals. High-profile men who have been disgraced during the #MeToo movement include broadcast journalists Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose, Mark Halperin and Tavis Smiley; actors Louis C.K., Danny Masterson, Jeffrey Tambor, Ed Westwick, Tom Sizemore, Andy Dick, Jeremy Piven and T.J. Miller; celebrity chefs Mario Batali, John Besh and Johnny Iuzzini; fashion photographer Terry Richardson; entertainment mogul Russell Simmons; and filmmakers Brett Ratner and Morgan Spurlock. Many others who weren’t as famous were also exposed and ousted at media and entertainment companies such as Amazon Studios, ESPN, Nickelodeon, Vice, Pixar, DC Comics, Fox News, the New York Times, Vox Media and National Public Radio.

People in the general public who would like to donate to Time’s Up can do so by going to the official website or the Time’s Up GoFundMe site.

Copyright 2017-2024 Culture Mix
CULTURE MIX