Every award show is coupled with outfit scrutiny and critique, but for the 75th Golden Globe awards, celebrities’ ensembles represent more than a fashion choice. For weeks now, actors and actresses have decided to participate in a protest against the culture of sexual harassment by wearing black to the Globes. Ahead of the awards show, celebrities are going on Twitter and Instagram to share why they have decided to participate in the protest. “We wear black in solidarity with men and women asking for equality, respect and meaningful change within all industries,” Orange is the New Black’s Uzo Aduba wrote on Instagram. “I am wearing black because I believe we are the change we reach for, the change we seek.”
The major movement behind this protest is #TimesUp. In a statement released in the New York Times on January 1, more than 300 actresses, directors, producers, writers, and executives introduced the leaderless initiative. #TimesUp is thought to be the follow-up to #MeToo, the unraveling of countless accusations of harassment, assault, and rape against some of Hollywood’s most powerful men. Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Natalie Portman, Michelle Obama, and many others are among the powerful women who signed the initial statement. In addition to high-profile celebs, the movement is backed by several organizations that are aimed at fighting not only for an end to harassment but equal pay and protections for working-class women.
With their social media posts, celebrities are also linking the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, a resource created to provide legal support to those who have experienced harassment in the workplace. So far, the collective has raised $15 million.
