“Silent No More”: Handmaids Stand Outside the Golden Globes in Solidarity With #TimesUp

Women were taking a stand at this year’s Golden Globes, wearing black to wear awareness and speaking out in protest of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse in the workplace. However, there were women outside the awards holding their own, similar protest as a group of Handmaids stood outside the ceremony with a sign that read “Silent No Longer.” The back of their bonnets also read “#TimesUp”, the initiative that recently launched, to stand in solidarity with women who have faced harassment in the workplace.

The Hollywood Handmaids, a chapter of the Handmaid’s Coalition group, released a statement on Facebook ahead of the Golden Globes that reads:

“As a chapter of The Handmaid Coalition, Hollywood Handmaids stand for equity in gender and race representation, both on and off the screen, and for violence-free working conditions in the film and entertainment industry.

Hollywood Handmaids are: Directors, writers, producers, actors, extras, PAs, hair and makeup, special fx, stunts, camera, sound, costumes, props, art departments, locations, casting, editors, composers, publicists, agents, assistants, grip, electric, DPs, animation, voice over talent, craft service and catering, accounting, talent management, legal, and so many others in the film and entertainment industry.

We have been silenced, marginalized, belittled, assaulted, excluded, and harassed, once, twice, too many times. We are the ones who have learned that this is not one-off behavior – these are decades-old patterns upheld by systems.

We join the global fight to end violence against women, starting where we live, work, and play – here in Hollywood, within the film and entertainment industry.

Today, we stand alongside our sisters and brothers wearing black on the red carpet at the Golden Globes, to demonstrate the emerging and growing resistance against violence in the workplace and society at large. We stand in solidarity with the powerful advocates in Hollywood behind #TimesUp and the many other survivor-led initiatives across the country, working to change laws and cultures to ensure safety and dignity for all people.”

Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale was recently adapted by Hulu and returned to the public attention because of how eerily timely it feels in the age of Trump. The red handmaid’s dress has become a powerful image of women’s oppression and an warning to all about how close we are to dystopia at any second if we do not take action. Women dressed as handmaids have made several appearances in protests across the country to fight for women’s reproductive rights.

The Handmaid’s Tale took home the award for Best Drama TV series last night, beating The Crown, Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, and This is Us. Elizabeth Moss also won a Golden Globe for her role as Offred. In his speech, creator Bruce Miller said,  “To all the people in the world who stopped The Handmaid’s Tale from coming real: keep doing that.” Producer Warren Littlefield spoke of the show’s relevance and said, “We have a responsibility to live up to Margaret Atwood’s vision and to be part of the resistance. Today we join the resistance for Time’s Up. That feels for all of us a really important and good place to be.”

(via Syfy, image: Hulu)

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Charline Jao

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