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We’ve shared details about Disney’s initial statement, the various statements made by Disney’s CEO — Bob Chapek, and other actions that are set to be taken in response to the Bill. Now, we’ve got another update when it comes to Disney, the Company’s position on the Bill, and what it intends to do next.
The Wall Street Journal notes that the bill at issue, which opponents call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill “prohibits instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten to third grade and in later grades if not ‘age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.'”
You can click here to see more about the Bill, what proponents and critics say, and see other statements that have been made
According to the Wall Street Journal, the Disney company held a virtual town hall meeting on Monday, March 21st, with “Disney leadership and employees.” The virtual town hall comes just one day before the planned walkouts scheduled in response to Disney’s actions surrounding the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill.
During the meeting, CEO Bob Chapek “told employees Monday that the company made a mistake by not taking a public stance against” the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill.
Bob Chapek in Disney World on its 50th Anniversary
Individuals who attended the town hall said that Chapek shared that he “understood the pain the company’s initial silence on the bill…has caused.” Chapek said, “I and the leadership team are determined to use this moment as a catalyst for more meaningful and lasting change.”
The Wall Street Journal shares that Disney has “said it would be aggressive in opposing an effort by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to have the state investigate parents for possible child-abuse charges if their transgender children receive hormone blockers or other medical treatments.”
Rainbow Donut
Disney also indicated that it would be “creating a companywide task force to develop strategies and action plans to work with employees, creators and Disney partners to be a more positive force for the LGBT community.” Paul Roeder (a film executive) and Lisa Becket (a Disney Parks marketing executive) will oversee the task force.
Those at the Disney town hall meeting indicated that “new content for children and family” will be a “large part” of the focus of this new task force. Chapek and other leaders at Disney have also indicated that they will do a “global listening tour of employees.”
Pride Shirt
The Florida Bill has passed in the Florida legislature and is expected to be signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis soon. This continues to be a developing situation. We’ll be on the lookout for more updates.
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Kids should be learning about aBC’s and their numbers, not sexual education/terminology. Disney should have stayed out of it but no, they just had to go down the political road… again. So sick of this.
I really want to tip my hat to DFB. This has been a controversial topic for many Disney fans and detractors alike. Many have been critical in the comments here, including myself, about how this topic has been covered.
In a world full of censorship and opinion based reporting, not only did DFB not censor the generally civil yet critical comments on some of the previous posts on this topic but they have listened to some of the feedback and improved the quality of reporting overall to include the appropriate level of context and objectiveness.
Bravo DFB, good job!
Thank you for your kind words, Jason! We really appreciate that.
Please stop calling it that. Its not called the dont say gay bill. It doesnt even use the word gay in the bills text. They are walking out over what the media has told them, I doubt any of them have even read the bill. And the walkout is over the company’s response too, which I have to ask what their goal is. Are they mad Disney isnt trying to sway politicians with its heavy influence? Thats at best advocating for oligarchy at worst going full fascist. This whole thing is evidence why I think y’all shouldn’t play into the emotion by using a nickname given to a bill by its opposition.
@Stacey … the bill prohibits *discussion* of “sexual orientation or gender identity,” which could include a child asking a teacher why their little friend has two mommies instead of a daddy and a mommy. That teacher is now prohibited from explaining that not all families look alike — which would be 100 percent age appropriate even for the smallest child.
The Citizens United decision gave corporations the right to make unlimited campaign donations under the rubric of free speech. Disney donated to the campaign of the current FL governor. That was the political thing they did.
Laws are not political, though they may be influenced by politics. Laws that allow people to discriminate (as this bill does, since I guarantee you that no one will complain that their kid learned about straight people, only gay people) violate Walt’s philosophy that ALL who come to this happy place are welcome.|
@DFB — thank you for your continuing posts on this matter. It’s never too late to do the right thing, and I applaud Disney for taking a public stance on behalf of a marginalized group.
“I and the leadership team are determined to use this moment as a catalyst for more meaningful and lasting change.”
Good job for Bob. Glad to see he is finally standing up for his employees (albeit he had to be pressured into it. Eitherway it’s a good step forward for Disney.
Now if Bob can only have the same meaningful commitment for the long time loyal Disney guest/visitors. I realize Disney is a for-profit campany, but he has screwed the guest/vistors every chance he could get since the day you took over. If he is not Nickel and Dimming us to death, he is simply taking away so many things that were in place for decades. But who am I kidding, he will most likely keep on screwing the guest as long as he can.
Now, if only they would renegotiate with LGBTQIA+ creators, such as Dana Terrance, and not cut short shows that don’t “fit the Disney mold.”
I want more Owl House, dagnabit!
I wonder what would happen if Chapek listened to parents. Seems like no one wants to hear what they have to say. Hmm…
If the bill passed in FLA said ” don’t say gay” anywhere in the bill, then I would be the first to complain. The bill is….. about not teaching alternative sex to kindergarteners to third graders. I strongly support this bill. Our children need to be children and learn their ABC’s. There’s plenty of time in later grades for sex class. The phrase Don’t Say Gay is nowhere to be found in the bill.
that’s a very interesting take on it when your comments are’t posted as mine were. so you could not be further from the truth jason. Objective, i think not.
bad job DFB !
well it seems i was wrong and it was perhaps a glitch in the system. i will refute my own statement.
good job DFB !
one minute comments are there ant the next they are not. why is that ?
I look to Disney to provide me with entertainment, not child-sexual education guidance. This company has gone nuts. We have two more trips to WDW then I’m selling my DVC; so tired of these activist companies. Walt would be spinning in his grave to see his company misused as a political weapon.
It would be a great idea if you called the bill by it’s correct title instead of the false narrative. The correct name is:
PARENTAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION
Also, the word “gay” is not in the bill.
As for Chapek and Disney, too little too late.
As for DFB, what is your stand? I hope it is for diversity and inclusion.
To quote Elie Wiesel “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor., never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
If everyone would just mind their own business and stop pointing out who and what, we would all be a lot better off.
I would hope that companies offering products and services to EVERYONE would be completely neutral on all political and social topics. Why choose to alienate a portion of your customer base when all they need to do is focus on their product and keep everyone happy. I don’t get it.
I agree with Stacey. Disney is no longer ” family friendly.”
I agree. Disney is no longer family friendly which is a shame. Let parents teach their children these types of things. Teachers are to teach ABC’s especially in K to 3. Disney should stick to running their businesses.
I agree with the previous comment that DFB has remained objective and I appreciate that.
DFB personal stance on this is just that. PERSONAL. Social media has made everyone think that everyone must share their opinions and all thoughts. If you are catering to the public and are giving NEWS, you should be completely neutral and not give your opinions. That is what is wrong with all of our news outlets today. Please do not ask this outlet for their opinions when they job is to provide FACTS.
There is no place for this in Disney. Keep your political and social opinions to yourself. Walt Disney said “to all that come to this place, welcome! Lets keep it that way. It was never political or racial. Stop bringing your opinion to the front. I dont care. I’ve sold a portion of my shares and am part of the movement to remove the moron Chapek. I helped with the Roy Disney?Stan Gold move to remove Michael Eisner. Disney only. Not political opinions
Stacey said it all in a nutshell! Agreed.
To add a bit to that – Disney needs to stay out of politics and just be what Walt wanted, a magical place for families to go to and be together. No political agenda.
Let me preface this post with… I love DFB. I have watched so many of your videos, read every word of every newsletter and taken your invaluable advice on Walt Disney World vacation planning. I’ve always felt you’ve given information with no bias or hidden agenda. Disney CEO and executives have destroyed the bubble that has kept so many families coming back to Walt Disney World year after year. Disney is absolutely no longer family friendly. This is just par for the course with Disney now. As if things weren’t taking a downward spiral with exorbitant prices and absolutely insane crowds and wait times, now they have decided to become political which inevitably pits each side against the other. Disney execs should be smart enough to avoid the trap being set to be used as a political platform. Yesterday I was a HUGE Walt Disney World fan and couldn’t wait to take my family on another vacation to “the happiest place on earth “. After this news today, I’ll be spending my 15k elsewhere in FL.