Legislative Advocacy

To remain competitive in the global economy, America needs to reinvigorate the kind of creativity and innovation that has made this country great. To do so, we must create an environment that fosters art as essential to the health and vitality of our communities, both economically and socially.

Congress is currently considering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, which includes funding for the arts and culture to help revitalize American’s economy.

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Los Angeles, (October 28, 2008) - Screen Actors Guild National LGBT and Hollywood Legislative committees voted to oppose California ballot Proposition 8. Committee members took the action supporting the constitutional rights of same-sex couples to wed in the state of California as part of the Guild’s ongoing anti-discrimination efforts.

LGBT National Committee Chair, Jason Stuart, stated,” As professional actors and SAG members, we believe it’s critical that our union support the civil rights of all members. The California Supreme Court has upheld our rights, and I am proud that our union is taking a stand on our behalf and urging a No vote on Prop 8.”

SAG National and Hollywood Legislative Chair, and SAG 1st V.P. Anne-Marie Johnson commented, ”No actor should have to disclose his or her sexual preference in order to get health and retirement benefits. Being legally married means everyone is treated the same. It’s important that we take a stand to protect all actors from discriminatory hiring practices and provide same-sex couples access to benefits.”

SAG Hollywood members are volunteering for the “No on Prop 8” campaign and will assist with phone banking, events and community outreach.

Screen Actors Guild does not endorse candidates, but does on occasion take positions on ballot propositions. The Colorado SAG Branch is opposing Measure 47, the anti-union “Right-to Work proposition, and the national union has contributed funds to the No on 47 campaign.

About SAG
Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists’ rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents over 120,000 actors who work in film and digital television, industrials, commercials, video games, music videos and all other new media formats. The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights. SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO. Headquartered in Los Angeles, you can visit SAG online at www.sag.org.

Contact:
Pamela Greenwalt
Screen Actors Guild
(323) 440-2892

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