Last week, some Disney employees staged a walkout protest, alleging the company had not done enough to support LGBT causes.
SCOOP: Disney diversity and inclusion manager Vivian Ware says the company has eliminated all mentions of "ladies," "gentlemen," "boys," and "girls" in its theme parks in order to create "that magical moment" for children who do not identify with traditional gender roles. “We have many, many, many LGBTQIA characters in our stories, and yet, we don’t have enough leads and narrative in which gay characters just get to be characters and not have to be about gay stories,” Burke said. In one video, Karey Burke, president of Disney General Entertainment, said she aims to have at least half of the characters in upcoming stories identify as LGBT or racial minorities. “Executives have empowered activists within the company and now seem unable to resist their demands,” Rufo wrote. Rufo, who previously reported on the embrace of critical race theory within Disney, said the entertainment giant has fallen prey to identity politics. The law, which prohibits schools from instructing young children in kindergarten through third grade on sexual orientation and gender identity, was dubbed by opponents as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, although the legislation never used the word “gay.” The videos-obtained by investigative journalist Christopher Rufo and posted Tuesday on Twitter-expose Disney executives inside an all-hands meeting in response to Florida’s HB 1557, the Parental Rights in Education bill, which was recently signed into law by Gov.
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What To Watch ForĬhapek has not commented on the walkout publicly, and has not yet agreed to-or declined-the group’s demands.A series of videos reveals the Walt Disney Co.’s “not-at-all-secret gay agenda,” as Disney finds itself at the center of national debate over gay rights, transgenderism, and parental rights. ESPN commentators Carolyn Peck, Courtney Lyle and Elle Duncan spoke out in solidarity with the movement on-air last week. Actress Gabrielle Union said she was more than disappointed in Disney while attending the premiere of her new Disney+ show last week. Some Disney talent have criticized the company’s response to the Don’t Say Gay bill. Last week, Disney Do Better released their list of demands, including that Disney “indefinitely cease” all political donations to politicians who have supported the bill, as well as making a donation to human rights groups, allowing employees to relocate out of Florida and stopping construction and investments in the state while the “hateful” legislation continues. As outrage at Disney’s inaction grew, Chapek apologized for the company’s silence, and announced an immediate pause of all political donations. CEO Bob Chapek and the company remained neutral on the bill at first, despite Disney’s substantial presence in Florida. Disney had previously donated to every lawmaker who sponsored the bill, according to the Orlando Sun Sentinel. It was passed in both the state’s house and senate, but has not yet been signed into law by Gov.
Key Backgroundįlorida’s Parental Rights Education Bill, or the Don’t Say Gay bill as it’s called by critics, restricts how gender identity and sexual orientation can be discussed in schools, and bans the subjects from kindergarten to third grade. ESPN tweeted it “denounce legislation and actions across the United States that infringe on any human rights.” Similar statements were also released by Disney+, Hulu and ABC. Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California posted a statement on Instagram saying it “oppose any legislation that infringes on basic human rights” and “stand in solidarity with” LQBTQ employees. That’s how many employees The Walt Disney Company has. Forbes has reached out to The Walt Disney Company for comment.