Following employee response, Disney CEO Bob Chapek told them, “You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I disappointed you. I’m sorry.”
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
After more than a week of strikes by Disney employees in protest at the company’s response to an anti-LGBTQ law in Florida, Disney has said it will help repeal the law†
“The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill should never have been passed and should never have been signed into law,” the Walt Disney Company said in a statement Monday. “Our goal as a company is to have this law repealed by the legislature or overturned by the courts, and we remain committed to supporting the state and state organizations working to make that happen.”
The statement comes the same day Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill.
Read more: Disney workers walk away to protest company’s stance on anti-gay law
The workers’ backlash began when Disney’s leadership did not immediately condemn the Florida law, which opponents dubbed the Don’t Say Gay law. The law prohibits or restricts “instruction” and “discussion” about sexual orientation and gender identity in state classes.
Rather than condemning the bill in full before it was passed by the Florida legislature, CEO Bob Chapek had said, “I believe the best way for our company to drive lasting change is through the inspiring content we produce.” .” However, a letter sent by Pixar employees to Disney executives earlier this month reportedly said: openly gay storylines and moments are cut from Disney Pixar movies.
Following outcry from within the company, Chapek wrote a letter to employees saying, “Clearly this is not just a matter of a Florida bill, but instead a new challenge to fundamental human rights. You told me needed to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I’ve disappointed you. I’m sorry.”
According to Politico, Disney has donated $50,000 to Gov. DeSantis. The news channel said Disney also gave $913,000 to Florida’s Republican Party, $586,000 to Republican Senate campaigns and $313,000 to the Florida Democratic Party. Since then, Disney has halted political donations in Florida as it assesses activity in the wake of worker protests.
Receive the CNET Culture Newsletter
Discover movies, games, superheroes and more with CNET Culture. Delivered Tuesday and Friday.
This post Disney Now Says It Will Help Repeal Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law
was original published at “https://www.cnet.com/news/politics/disney-now-says-it-will-work-to-help-repeal-floridas-dont-say-gay-law/#ftag=CAD590a51e”