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Disney halts political donations in Florida over ‘Don’t Say Gay’ backlash


Bob Chapek, CEO of Walt Disney

Patrick T. Fallon | Bloomberg | beautiful pictures

DisneyThe company’s CEO said Friday that the company would stop political donations in Florida due to the state’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill, and he apologized for the company’s earlier silence. on this issue.

“You need me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I’ve let you down,” CEO Bob Chapek wrote in a statement to colleagues and the LGBTQ+ community published on Thursday. Six. “I’m sorry.”

The statement doubled down on remarks he made about advocating for the LGBTQ+ community during the company’s annual shareholder meeting Wednesday.

Chapek and the Walt Disney Company faced pressure this week for not publicly opposing the Florida Parent’s Rights in Education bill. The law, passed earlier this week, prohibits teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools from kindergarten through third grade.

It has been dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and has been criticized by some who believe it could harm already marginalized populations.

Disney, which operates four theme parks and dozens of hotels in Orlando, Florida, was targeted by activists after it was discovered that the company provided financial assistance to some project supporters. legislation in the state legislature.

Chapek also said Friday that the company is reviewing its advocacy approach.

“I missed the mark in this case but am an ally you can count on – and I’ll be an outspoken champion for the protection, visibility and chance you deserve. okay,” Chapek said.

The entertainment giant has made diversity and inclusion a major part of company policies and storytelling across theme parks, movies, and TV shows. Many felt its silence on the bill was a statement of its own.

“Our employees see the strength of this great company as an opportunity to do good,” Chapek said. “I agree. Yes, we need to use our influence to promote that good by telling integrated stories, but also by standing up for everyone’s rights. .”

Chapek told shareholders on Wednesday that he had reached out to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and sought to meet with him to discuss the bill. DeSantis’ office confirmed that Chapek had called but said that no meeting had been scheduled, according to a notice provided to CNBC.

DeSantis, a Republican, also doubled down. Speaking to supporters in Boca Raton on Thursday, DeSantis said there was “no” chance for him to reverse his position on the bill, according to a video obtained by Fox News.

“You have companies, like at Disney, that will speak and criticize parental rights, they will criticize the fact that we don’t want to be transgender in kindergarten in first grade,” he said.

“If that’s the hill they’re going to die on, then how can they explain lining their pockets with their ties to the Chinese Communist Party? Because that’s what they do, and they earn it.” property, and they don’t say a word about the really brutal practices you see out there at the hands of the CCP.”

“And in Florida, our policies must be based on the best interests of Florida citizens, not on the musings of woken corporations,” he added.

DeSantis’ comments about Disney’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party were a common criticism of the entertainment company last week. Disney is one of the movie studios suspension of theatrical release in Russia about the country’s invasion of Ukraine, but there have been no similar moves in China regarding the treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang province, who are facing human rights abuses. .

In 2020, Disney thanks government agencies in Xinjiang in the credits for the live action adaptation of “Mulan”, which was partially filmed in the province.



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