Why men on the Globes red carpet mattered

THEY were damned if they did and damned if they didn’t. Yet somehow, the gentlemen of Hollywood managed to strike the balance that was desperately needed, writes Katy Hall.

THIS year’s Golden Globes were always going to be more politically charged than those before it.

Following the tsunami of revelations that came with the fall of Harvey Weinstein and other powerful men within the film and television industry, how could they not be?

But when the women of Hollywood announced they would wear black on the red carpet as a sign of solidarity to victims of harassment and assault throughout the world, it begged the question of what the decision meant for the men in attendance — who, without fail, wear black tuxedos to every event.

Wouldn’t it just offer those unwilling to support structural change an easy out and afford them the luxury of masquerading as an ally for the night without actually doing anything? Couldn’t the women have chosen a harder colour to hide behind?

Well, as it turns out, black was worth betting on.

The male cast members of Stranger Things all wore ‘Time’s Up’ pins. (Pic: Alberto E. Rodriguez)

Having unveiled Time’s Up — the next iteration of the #metoo movement — last week, one of the female-led initiative’s first moves after establishing a legal defence fund to help underprivileged women pursue action against perpetrators of sexual misconduct was to have 500 lapel pins printed ahead of the Golden Globes and distributed to male presenters and nominees to wear, should they wish.

And wear them, they did.

From Chris Hemsworth and Ewan McGregor to the entire cast of Stranger Things, a black and white pin with two words on it not only became the hottest accessory for the evening but also created a sea of familiar faces united by the same simple philosophy: being sexually assaulted is never okay; no matter the people involved, the industry in which they work, or the power that they wield.

While Oprah Winfrey promised a new day being on the horizon and Nicole Kidman spoke about the power of women; as Natalie Portman pointed out that every nominee in the Best Director category was male and Laura Dern celebrated being able to teach girls how to speak out and speak up, the men watching on put their pins to good use by listening and celebrating the accomplishments of women.

The night was about something bigger than their achievements in the past 12 months, and for once, that wasn’t railroaded.

Ewan McGregor.... (Pic: Valerie Macon)

...and Chris Hemsworth wearing ‘Time’s Up’ pins. (Pic: Frederick M. Brown)

Of course, wearing a specific colour of clothing cannot dismantle the structural sexism and imbalances power on which Hollywood was built, filling a ballroom with its community’s richest and most powerful players to hear the messages of those who have gotten the movement to where it is might.

Seeing so many men supporting change on a television special broadcast around the world does mean something and sends a broader message out to others, young and old.

Putting men who are committed to listening and believing and helping enact change onstage while the world looks on will.

Showing all the women watching that they are right there with us on the battlefield helping does, even in a small way, help.

So what’s in a red carpet outfit? Well, quite a lot, actually.

Katy Hall is a writer and producer at RendezView. Follow her on Twitter @katyhallway.