Male Hollywood power players launch #AskMoreOfHim campaign inspired by #MeToo movement: “Our awe is not enough”

Inspired by the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements, a group of male Hollywood power players have launched #AskMoreOfHim just before the Oscars.

Actors as including David Schwimmer, David Arquette, Justin Baldoni and Matt McGorry have joined with producers, directors and alliances as A Call to Men, Futures Without Violence and The Representation Project.

The aim is to show their support for victims of sexual misconduct, to demand more from men in the entertainment world and to make a pledge to hold themselves and others accountable.

A post from the organisation reads “This year we’re using #AskMoreOfHim to invite men to not only join the conversation but to become allies in the movement for equality.

“We’re asking men to stand for women’s rights and end sexual harassment and violence against women.”

Their open letter published in The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline on Friday (US date), stated, “We applaud the courage and pledge our support to the courageous women — and men, and gender non-conforming individuals — who have come forward to recount their experiences of harassment, abuse and violence at the hands of men in our country.

“It is never easy for someone who’s been harassed or bullied to speak up, especially when the abuse is sexual.

“These people are our colleagues and friends.

“They are fellow artists and craftspeople. They are also our partners, siblings, parents and children.

“We are in awe of their strength and commitment to speaking truth to power.

“But our awe is not enough. As men, we have a special responsibility to prevent abuse from happening in the first place.”

It continued, “One of the most powerful things that men can and must do is make it clear to other men — including their friends, colleagues and co-workers — that sexual harassment and abuse are never acceptable.

“This goes for everything from sexist and degrading comments, right up to domestic violence and sexual assault.”

It finishes up, “As advocates, actors, writers, producers, and directors, we hope that our actions will inspire other men to join us.

“Until now, only a small number of them have been actively engaged in this effort. This must change. It’s time we #AskMoreOfHim.”

The Representation Project launched #AskHerMore four years ago to inspire media on the red carpet to ask women questions about their accomplishments and not just their appearances.

The letter was signed by:

David Arquette

Justin Baldoni

Ben Berkowitz

Max Berkowitz

Steven Brill

Geoff Callan

Kirby Dick

Jim Herzfeld

Byron Hurt

Matt McGorry

Michael Nathanson

Jason Newman

David Schwimmer

Ben Silverman

Jason Smilovic

Dennis Barbour, The Partnership for Male Youth

Gary Barker, Promundo-US

Eric Barthold, “Man Up” and Open

Jonathan Kalin, Party With Consent

Jackson Katz

Michael Kimmel, SUNY, Stony Brook

Josh Levs

Don McPherson

Michael A. Messner, USC

Rob Okun, Voice Male Magazine

Pedro Noguera, UCLA

Ianta Summers

A Call to Men

Futures Without Violence

The Representation Project