On 22 October 2025, FIA Rainbow hosted its first global webinar, an important step in FIA’s ongoing work to advance equality, dignity, and inclusion for LGBTQ+ performers and creative workers worldwide. The webinar brought together diverse voices from across the arts and entertainment sector for an inspiring and candid conversation on employment opportunity, representation, and lived experience of LGBTQ+ professionals.
From research to lived experience
In 2024, FIA published the results of its Global Survey on Discrimination and Harassment Against LGBTQ+ Performers, highlighting persistent barriers faced by LGBTQ+ workers in the performing arts and audiovisual industries. These included discrimination in casting and hiring, lack of authentic representation, workplace harassment, and concerns around being “out” in professional settings.
The FIA Rainbow Working Group decided to set up a series of webinars to contextualise these findings through lived experience, allowing performers, union leaders, and industry representatives to reflect on how these issues manifest across different regions and sectors.
A global and inclusive conversation
Moderated by Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, Executive Director of SAG-AFTRA (USA), the webinar featured prominent speakers from around the globe, representing a range of professional backgrounds, identities, and national contexts:
• Miss Peppermint – US trans actress, television personality, drag queen and SAG-AFTRA member
• Giovanni Bienne – Actor and Equity UK LGBT+ councillor
• Terence Bridgett – South African performer and member of SAGA
• Léon Bristow – New Zealand performer and founder of Beings
• Jen Viens – Queer Canadian filmmaker, actor, intimacy coordinator and ACTRA member
The discussion explored how structural inequality, cultural norms, and industry practices intersect to shape employment opportunities for LGBTQ+ artists. Speakers shared personal experiences of navigating the industry, as well as examples of progress driven by collective action, union advocacy, and inclusive workplace policies.
Despite differing regional realities, a strong common message emerged: representation matters, not only on screen and stage, but behind the scenes and in decision-making roles.
Key themes and takeaways
Throughout the webinar, several key themes resonated strongly:
- Visibility and safety: While visibility can open doors and create role models, many LGBTQ+ performers still face pressure to hide aspects of their identity due to fear of discrimination or career repercussions.
- Authentic representation: Speakers emphasised the importance of moving beyond stereotypes and tokenism toward nuanced, authentic portrayals shaped by LGBTQ+ voices.
- Employment equity: Access to work, fair casting practices, and inclusive hiring processes remain central challenges, particularly for trans and non-binary performers.
- The role of unions and employers: Trade unions, guilds, and employers were highlighted as key drivers of change through collective bargaining, workplace policies, training, and accountability.
- From awareness to action: Participants stressed the need to translate dialogue into measurable commitments, including data collection, diversity benchmarks, and ongoing consultation with LGBTQ+ workers.
The webinar underscored that creating inclusive and representative creative industries is a shared responsibility, requiring collaboration between performers, unions, producers, broadcasters, and policymakers. As FIA Rainbow continues to grow as a network, this first webinar reaffirmed the importance of international solidarity, knowledge-sharing, and sustained advocacy to ensure that LGBTQ+ professionals can work free from discrimination, with equal opportunity and respect.
The full recording of the FIA Rainbow webinar is now available to watch online. We encourage affiliates, employers, and industry stakeholders to view and share the discussion as part of ongoing efforts to foster inclusive workplaces in the arts and entertainment sector.
