TV: 'USA Network Launches Characters Unite Month to Combat Hate, Intolerance & Discrimination'

In a press release, USA Network announces that is has "[Launched] Characters Unite Month to Combat Hate, Intolerance & Discrimination."

"Today, USA Network, along with a diverse coalition of partners, kicks off the third Characters Unite Month with a range of multiplatform initiatives that aim to shine a light on the intolerance and discrimination that exist today; encourage candor and dialogue around tough issues like racism, gender inequality, homophobia and bullying; and inspire people to say 'I won’t stand for …' it anymore," the network writes.

"'Characters Unite Month is growing exponentially this year because there is still an immense need in this country for greater tolerance, respect and acceptance,' said Toby Graff, USA’s senior vice president, Public Affairs.  'We’re extremely proud to increase awareness and inspire action to address all forms of discrimination, whether it’s based on a person’s race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or ability.'

"USA is working with partners including the NFL, leading Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs), and more than 20 leading nonprofit organizations such as the Southern Poverty Law Center, American Association of People with Disabilities, National Council of La Raza, NAACP, GLSEN, Human Rights Campaign, National Council of Women’s Organizations and others."

Highlights include:

Campaign Features Original Programming, Including Episodes of Hit Series SUITS and NECESSARY ROUGHNESS and Documentary on NFL Superstars Larry Fitzgerald, Jameel McClain, Troy Polamalu and Justin Tuck Fighting BigotryUSA Will Present a Special Commercial-Free Presentation of Academy Award-Winning “Schindler’s List,” as Part of Quarterly Characters Unite Film SeriesNew PSA and Social Media Campaign, Along with Cross-Country Bus Tour, to Encourage Americans to Share the Forms of Prejudice and Discrimination They Won’t Stand For  

The network's full laundry list of partners includes, "American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD); American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Human Rights First (HRF), Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), National Association of Counties (NACo), National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), National Council of La Raza (NCLR), National Council of Women’s Organizations (NCWO), National Education Association (NEA), National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and General Board of Church & Society, United Methodist Church."