October is SAG Diversity Awareness Month: Events Calendar

While the Guild works year round to advance issues of employment diversity, it is shining a spotlight during October on the efforts of its Affirmative Action & Diversity Department, as well as the union’s various diversity committees comprised of SAG members. We hope you can join us at one or more of the events below.

SEPTEMBER

Monday, September 28 — National President’s Task Force on American Indians Membership Caucus
Schedule permitting, opening remarks will be made by the new Screen Actors Guild president. Caucus will also feature a town hall and partial screening of PBS’s Trail of Tears. James Cagney Board Room, 7 p.m. RSVP to diversity@sag.org or (323) 549-6644, and include SAG membership number.

Wednesday, September 30 — Reading Between the Lines: Uncovering Unconscious Bias
Screen Actors Guild, Writers Guild of American West, Americans for American Values, Kirwan Institute and the Equal Justice Society present a panel discussion on unconscious bias and insights that challenge and inspire new ideas in developing and producing programming that reflects the true diversity of our rapidly changing society. Opening remarks by Norman Lear. Writers Guild of America, West, 7000 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. RSVP to diversity@wga.org or (323) 782-4589.

OCTOBER

Sunday, October 4 — Diamond in the RAW Awards
SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity and SAG National Stunt and Safety Committee sponsor the 2009 stuntwomen’s awards luncheon. Skirball Cultural Center, 11:30 a.m. For more information: http://diamondintheraw.com/

Wednesday, October 7 — Out in Hollywood III: The Rise of the LGBT Actor
In celebration of National Coming Out Day, SAG National LGBT Actors Committee and GLAAD present a panel of LGBT actors, director-producers and casting professionals to explore the challenges and opportunities of being out in entertainment. Featuring Mad Men’s Bryan Batt, Oscar-winner Dan Jinks, Emmy-winner Paris Barclay, and more. SAG James Cagney Board Room, 6:30 p.m. SAG members RSVP to LGBTactors@sag.org or (323) 549-6556.

Friday, October 9 — “Know Your Rights in the Workplace” Seminar for Members
SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity presents its monthly seminar for new and existing members. This month’s topic: Homophobia & Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination. SAG James Cagney Board Room, 2-4 p.m. RSVP to diversity@sag.org or (323) 549-6644

Saturday-Sunday, October 10-11 — National Equality March in Washington. D.C.
SAG National LGBT Actors Committee leads a group of members, staff and allies marching for full federal equality for LGBT people. Coming to D.C.? E-mail LGBTactors@sag.org. For more information click here

Thursday, October. 15 — Girl’s Night and Movie Under the Stars at the Grove
SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity hosts a tribute to a female celebrity filmmaker/actor along with a screening of her film in conjunction with La Femme Film Festival. The Grove, Los Angeles, 5 p.m. discountshopping; 7 p.m. celebrity filmmaker Q&A; 8 p.m. screening. For more information: www.lafemme.org

Saturday, October 17 — Presentation of Casting Data Report 2007/08
SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity will present the highly anticipated Casting Data Report hiring statistics (based on ethnicity/race, age and gender) for 2007/08 at the SAG National Board Plenary, followed by an announcement and in-depth report available on SAG.org.

Monday, October 19 — 18th Annual Access Awards
Tri-Union SAG/AFTRA/AEA civil rights campaign Inclusion in the Arts and Media of People with Disabilities (I AM PWD) will receive an Access Award for its “leadership, commitment and outstanding contribution for advancing equality and access for people with disabilities,” sponsored by the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens in Downtown Los Angeles. For more information: http://laccod.org/

Wednesday, October 21 — “Know Your Rights in the Workplace” Seminar and Young Actors with Disabilities Roundtable
In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity, along with Disability Rights Legal Center, presents a seminar for new and existing members on ADA/reasonable accommodations and disability discrimination. And to recognize Disability Mentoring Day, the seminar will be followed by a roundtable discussion between young working actors with disabilities, and students with disabilities interested in pursuing a career in acting. SAG James Cagney Board Room, 10 a.m. - noon. RSVP to diversity@sag.org or (323) 549-6644.

Saturday, October 24 — The Hollywood Disabilities Forum
I AM PWD, in partnership with WGAW Writers with Disabilities and Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, presents an executive industry conference on accuracy, inclusion and access of people with disabilities in entertainment. UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Monday, October 26 – SAG is a sponsor of the HOLA Awards in NYC
For more information: http://www.hellohola.org/

The above listings are subject to change. Check SAG.org for the most up-to-date information. For more information, contact diversity@sag.org.