Support AB 1687. By: Gabrielle Carteris
Age discrimination is a major problem in our industry, and it must be addressed. SAG-AFTRA has been working hard for years to stop the career damage caused by the publication of performers' dates of birth on online subscription websites used for casting like IMDb. We are now in the final stages of securing the enactment of a California law that would help combat age discrimination by giving performers the right to request the removal of their date of birth when it's included on online subscription sites.
Currently, many websites used for casting proactively present birthdays and ages to casting decision makers who often can't avoid seeing this information even if they try. That's wrong for performers, just like it's wrong for all employees.
Let's end this now.
AB 1687 has passed through both houses of the California Legislature by overwhelming majorities. The final stop is Governor Jerry Brown's desk.
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
We ask that you contact Gov. Brown right now with your personal stories of why this anti-discrimination bill is important. He will decide on this bill in the next couple of weeks, and we can't miss our chance to stop this harmful practice. Even if you don't live in California, we need your support. Enacting this law will benefit performers of all ages around the country. So please take a moment and make your voice heard.
Time is short. If you can send a fax, please do so now. Paper on the governor's desk makes a difference.
Fax: (916) 558-3160
The legislature has heard our voices. It is time the governor does, too.
AND, whichever method you use to comment, please send us a copy to AB1687@sagaftra.org so we can present a combined stack of comments to Gov. Brown as well.
Thank you and to read more about the importance of AB 1687, please click here for an editorial published last week.
