LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Ahead of the Golden Globe Awards, the union representing actors called on the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Sunday to increase the diversity of its membership, and leaders of the HFPA took to the Globes stage, insisting that change is coming.

The statement from the Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists comes one week after the Los Angeles Times published a report detailing the fact that none of the 87 HFPA members who vote for the annual Golden Globe Awards is Black. The report further alleged that relatively few of the 87 members write regularly for major overseas outlets, though many are paid by the HFPA to write for the HFPA website and sit on committees.

What You Need To Know

  • The union representing actors called on the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Sunday to increase the diversity of its membership

  • Last week the LA Times published a report detailing the fact that none of the 87 HFPA members who vote for the annual Golden Globe Awards is Black

  • The HFPA said it is "fully committed to ensuring our membership is reflective of the communities around the world who love film, TV, and the artists inspiring and educating them
  • At the Golden Globe Awards Sunday HFPA President Ali Sar added, "That means creating an environment where a diverse membership is the norm, not the exception."

"SAG-AFTRA is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow creative industry guilds and unions, industry allies and all inclusion advocates in calling on the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to establish a more inclusive membership that truly reflects the extraordinary diversity and variety of the global media industry they purport to represent," the statement said.

"Without inclusive membership, they miss the opportunity to truly honor creativity and excellence among a vast and dynamic global industry of talented storytellers and stories. It's a big, diverse world and if the HFPA is to remain relevant in today's media environment, it must fully embrace inclusion among its membership and across its operations," it continued.

Related Stories

The HFPA issued a statement Friday saying it is "fully committed to ensuring our membership is reflective of the communities around the world who love film, TV, and the artists inspiring and educating them. We understand that we need to bring in Black members, as well as members from other underrepresented backgrounds, and we will immediately work to implement an action plan to achieve these goals as soon as possible."

A spokesperson for the HFPA also said the group welcomes the opportunity to meet with groups like "Time's Up" and be part of the solution, and to meet with prospective Black members who are interested in joining the HFPA.

During the Globes ceremony, three leaders of the HFPA took to the stage to deliver short scripted statements vowing a commitment to diversity.

"Tonight, while we celebrate the work of artists from around the globe, we recognize we have our own work to do," Helen Hoehne said. "Just like in film and television, Black representation is vital. We must have Black journalists in our organization."

Meher Tatna added that the group must ensure people "from all underrepresented communities gets a seat at our table, and we are going to make that happen."

HFPA President Ali Sar concluded, "That means creating an environment where a diverse membership is the norm, not the exception. Thank you and we look forward to a more inclusive future."