Women in Animation Write Powerful Open Letter to End Sexual Harassment: ‘We Will No Longer Be Silent’
Zack Sharf
217 women and gender-nonconforming people working in animation have written an open letter demanding an end to sexual harassment in their industry. The letter, which can be read in its entirety on the Los Angeles Times website, was sent to executives at major animation studios on October 19, including Disney, Paramount, Warner Bros., Cartoon Network, Sony, and DreamWorks.
“In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, many of the women who work in animation have begun discussing more openly issues that we have dealt with quietly throughout our careers,” the letter says. “As we came together to share our stories of sexism, sexual harassment and, in some cases, sexual assault, we were struck by the pervasiveness of the problem.”
The letter concludes: “We resolve to do everything we can to prevent anyone else from being victimized. We are united in our mission to wipe out sexual harassment in the animation industry, and we will no longer be silent.”
The over-200 signatures include some of the biggest names in animation such as Wendy Molyneaux, writer and producer of “Bob’s Burgers,” and Rebecca Sugar, creator of “Steven Universe” on Cartoon Network. Other names include animators on hit shows “The Powerpuff Girls,” “Adventure Time,” and “BoJack Horseman,” among others.
The letter arrives not only in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, but also on the heels of Nickelodeon firing “The Loud House” creator Chris Savino after allegations of sexual harassment. Cartoon Brew first broke the news that at least a dozen women had reportedly accused Savino over the last decade.
A Nickelodeon spokesperson issued the following statement: “Chris Savino is no longer working with Nickelodeon. We take allegations of misconduct very seriously, and we are committed to fostering a safe and professional workplace environment that is free of harassment or other kinds of inappropriate conduct.”
Nickelodeon is still planning to air “The Loud House” Season 3 in early 2018 as originally planned. Head over to the Los Angeles Times to read the full letter.
