Sora J. Kasuga, a Japanese American person with vascular and lymphatic malformations on the left side of their face, smiles widely at the camera while resting their chin on top of their folded hands against a black backdrop. Photo Credit: Positive Exposure
A portrait of Christina Raj, an Indian woman and ground-breaking activist living with Ichthyosis. Photo Credit: But Natural Photography
A headshot of Crystal Marshall, a Black actress and face equality advocate with a facial difference affecting her right cheek.
Sora J. Kasuga, a Japanese American person with vascular and lymphatic malformations on the left side of their face, smiles widely at the camera while resting their chin on top of their folded hands against a black backdrop. Photo Credit: Positive Exposure
Crush the Stigma
Embrace humanity
Welcome!
Facial Difference is a social disability that is often hidden or ignored. The FaceOut Project is a love letter to the global Facial Difference (FD) community. It's a place where love, belonging, and activism can breathe life into societal change for facially different people, and where the experiences of those most marginalized are centered. It's a place where individuals can find resources and community. And, most of all it's a place where we can embrace the wholeness of our humanity.
What We're up To
Join Activism Hub members Lise and Sora on June 18th!
EVENT TITLE: Facial Differences & Disfigurement-Equitable & Inclusive Representation in Media (presented by Casting Society & the Television Academy)
Date: Wednesday, June 18th, 2025
Time: 9am PT/12pm ET/5pm GMT on Zoom Webinar
Panelists: Adam Pearson (Actor), Gabi Mayers (Producer), Lise Deguire (Psychologist, author, and activist), Maribeth Fox (Casting Director), Sora J. Kasuga (Activist & Performer). Moderated by Danielle Pretsfelder Demchick (Casting Director. VP, Advocacy for Casting Society)
About:
This panel will cover best practices to include actors with Facial Differences and Disfigurement from the beginning of the creative process. We will also cover best practices when working with actors from this community in both the casting process and on set. Other topics include bias reduction and unconscious bias related to this community, how to create accurate and dignified character portrayals, preferred language usage, and best on-set conventions.
This panel will be recorded. ASL interpretation will be provided.
PANELISTS
Maribeth Fox
Casting Director
Image Description: A white woman seated, smiling at the camera in chest up fashion. The background is a soft green, she is a white woman in her 40's with blonde hair and blue eyes.
Sora J. Kasuga
Activist (Founder, The FaceOut Project" & Co-Founder, CirqOvation) and Performer
Image Description:Sora J. Kasuga, a Japanese American person, stands confidently against a textured dark gray wall. They are wearing an olive green sleeveless jumpsuit with a button-down front, breast pockets, and a belted waist. Their hands are casually tucked into the side pockets. Sora has a facial difference which makes the left side of their face larger than the right, and their left eye is offset. Their head is mostly shaved, with the remaining hair styled into voluminous curls. They face the camera with a calm and self-assured expression. The lighting is soft and even, highlighting the texture of the jumpsuit and the background.
Dr. Lise Deguire
Psychologist, author, and activist
Image Description: A woman smiles warmly at the camera, in a dress white shirt, holding her hands in front of her in a prayer. She has short brown hair and green eyes.
Gabi Mayers
Producer
Image Description: A black woman stands outdoors in a white button down shirt and hoop earrings
Adam Pearson
Actor
Image Description: A white man with neurofibromatosis sits in a white t-shirt with his hand on his face, in front of a blue backdrop.
MODERATOR:
Danielle Pretsfelder Demchick
Casting Director. VP, Advocacy-Casting Society
Image Description: A white woman with long brown hair sits outdoors in a green silk collared shirt. She has her hand on her face.
Webinar: Providing Culturally Competent Support for People with Facial Difference
1 in 10 people live with a facial difference that, due to stigma, severely affects the ability to lead a typical life. This webinar, hosted by the National Empowerment Center, teaches best practices for giving mental health support to people living with facial difference.
This project was led by the late Sandy Goodwick.
FaceOut Project Presents in Los Angeles!
The FaceOut Project had the opportunity to go present in Los Angeles at the very first Loyola Marymount University and UCLA disability studies conference.
We talked about challenging societal perceptions of facial difference/disfigurement, facial difference (FD) activism, and the importance of our inclusion in Disability spaces.
This project was led by
Mette E. Kim Larsen.
Stop Rewarding Disabled Mimicry in Hollywood
"This year, those of us with facial difference can’t stop talking about one movie in particular: A Different Man. The movie was written and directed by Aaron Schimberg and co-starred Adam Pearson, both of whom live with facial difference. This representation is undoubtedly critical to us..."
This piece was co-authored by Jenny Kattlove and Sora Kasuga
Make Friends in the
FD community!
