WGAW Officers’ Statement on Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill and Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation

Los Angeles – The following is a statement from the officers of WGAW:

The Writers Guild of America West believes in free speech and in the power of storytelling. Any narrative that chooses to erase sexuality and gender identity ignores the existence and the basic humanity of LGBTQ+ persons. This is true when talking about the fictional stories created by our union’s members, and equally true when talking about the real-world legislation emerging in multiple states around our country—laws that seek to muzzle educators from even mentioning the word “gay” without risking a lawsuit, and others that seek to criminalize parents who wish to affirm their child’s gender.

We urge all WGA signatory companies to reassess not only their political giving, but also where they choose to spend their production dollars. Show, don’t tell, that you value the LGBTQ+ community.

In Solidarity,
Meredith Stiehm, President
Michele Mulroney, Vice President
Betsy Thomas, Secretary-Treasurer

The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) is a labor union representing writers of motion pictures, television, radio, and Internet programming, including news and documentaries. Founded in 1933, the Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members. It is involved in a wide range of programs that advance the interests of writers, and is active in public policy and legislative matters on the local, national, and international levels. For more information on the WGAW, please visit: https://www.wga.org/.