For the past several weeks, we’ve carefully followed the developments that have taken place related to Florida’s heavily criticized “Don’t Say Gay” Bill and the responses from the Disney Company.
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The Company issued an initial statement, CEO Bob Chapek later sent a memo on the topic, and since then we’ve seen a more formal stance from the Company, an apology from Chapek, further statements from Chapek, news about Disney walkouts related to the Bill, and more. Now, we’ve got a new development.
According to The Hill, Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, which critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, has officially been signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The law will take effect starting July 1st, 2022.
As The Wall Street Journal had previously noted, the “Florida 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.'” As The Hill specifies, as a result of this (now) Law, “classroom instruction related to sexual orientation or gender identity will be restricted in the state’s primary schools. Educators of all grade levels are prohibited from engaging in instruction on those topics in a manner that is not ‘age appropriate or developmentally appropriate’ for children.”
Pride Sign
Specifically, the text of the Bill (now law) says “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”
Governor DeSantis signed the Bill into law during a ceremony on March 28th, 2022 at Classical Preparatory School in Spring Hill.
In response to the signing of the Florida legislation, the Walt Disney Company issued an official statement on Twitter and on the Company’s website. In it, they share that “Florida’s HB 1557, also known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, should never have passed and should never have been signed into law.”
Pride Month Cake from EPCOT
Disney goes on to say “Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts, and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to achieve that.”
Disney ends by saying “We are dedicated to standing up for the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ members of the Disney family, as well as the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and across the country.”
Rainbow Backpack
You can read the statement in full below:
Statement from The Walt Disney Company on signing of Florida legislation: pic.twitter.com/UVI7Ko3aKS
— Walt Disney Company (@WaltDisneyCo) March 28, 2022
We’ll continue to look for more updates about this legislation and Disney’s responses to it. To see more about the Bill and other updates that had been previously shared about this topic, click the links below:
- Disney issues statement on “Don’t Say Gay” bill (now law)
- Disney CEO Bob Chapek comments on the Bill (now law)
- Chapek comments on the Company’s stance on the Bill (now law) and actions moving forward
- Chapek issues apology following Disney’s response to Bill (now law)
- Human Rights Campaign rejects Disney’s donation and issues response
- Disney employees plan walkouts in response to Bill (now law)
- California governor addresses Disney following responses to the Bill (now law)
- Same-sex kiss put back into “Lightyear” after criticism of Disney’s response to the Bill (now law)
- Chapek addresses the Florida Bill (now law) and assures further changes during Company meeting
- Supportive LGBTQIA+ statements shared by Disney ahead of planned walkouts
- Learn more about the walkouts
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Too little too late. If Disney ACTUALLY believed this law shouldn’t exist then they would’ve used their obvious power to their advantage and threatened to pull as much of thier operations as possible out of Florida if the bill passed. But instead they stayed quiet while homophobic politicians put the lives of countless people, including children and Disney cast members, at risk. No amount of backtracking is going to make Disney look good at this point.
Poor attempt by Disney to play CYA. States have the right to determine how their educational systems are run. It is a reserved power under the Constitution. I can’t even come up with a legal basis to challenge the constitutionality of the law. Secondly, I would think that getting this law repealed would be difficult. You would have to elect candidates that would be willing to do this. With the make up of Florida demographics, good luck getting that many people elected that would vote to repeal it. Some of these people need to read the bill and realize it allows for instruction when it is age appropriate. So in this case, it is a win for the LBGQT+ community. People need to see the glass as half full, as opposed to totally empty.
Disney needs to stay out of politics and worry about putting the magic back into its Disney Parks…………
Kindergarten to 3rd grade….really? All this scrap for something teachers should not discuss in K thru 3 anyway. They are babies! Let the parents decide!
Disney would be smart to stay out of the culture wars, especially when they aren’t even taking the time to actually read he bill and they insist on calling the bill something it isn’t. Most parents don’t want sex-ed taught in K-3 education and most parents are appalled at the idea that the schools won’t even provide communication back to parents. This has nothing to do with “don’t say gay” and everything to do with “Don’t groom my child” and Parental rights. Our Children don’t belong to the state.
All we hear from is the vocal minority. What about the majority of people that agree with this law?
So, is Disney anti-parent? Because the bill is about putting the issues of sexual identity teaching/learning in the hands of PARENTS, not teachers, for very very young FL students. So ignorant to call this a “Don’t Say Gay” bill. This is about giving the power to the parents for the youngest in the schools. Parents SHOULD direct theses conversations. Wow, Disney. Way to bite the hands that feeds you.
And while your at it Disney, you got a Tweet about China’s abuses on their own citizens? Oh wait – too much of the mouse money invested there to say anything!
Disney (and other family entertainment companies) should stay out of politics, particularly controversial issues such as this. In response to Marilyn’s reply above, this is NOT a homophobic bill, it is simply a way to keep sex education age appropriate. Disney had initially done the right thing by not responding at all. Disney has always been at the forefront of LGBTQ rights and for the LGBTQ community to criticize as they did was selfish and short sighted. This issue should be decided by Florida voters, parents, teachers and representatives of those mentioned, not family entertainment entities. It was unfortunate to see Disney capitulate to special interests as they did.
In a country that is politically divided supporting only one side is a losing game. There are people on both sides of this issue that feel very strongly about their side of the argument. When you choose one side over the other you risk turning off half of your paying customers and losing some or all of their business.
That is not what the bill is called. It’s called the Parental Rights in Education bill.
What’s Disney going to do, leave Florida?
I don’t understand why this is still an article. The “Parental Rights in Education law” is to insure teachers teach the basics to K-3 graders, nothing more nothing less. It’s up to the parents to teach their kids life.
Uncle Walt would be so disappointed in his company for the way it’s become. For a company at its basic level is still children’s innocence.
God bless us all
@Marilyn, tell me exactly how a bill that prohibits teachers from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity to kids in K-3 puts anyone’s life at risk?
And have you considered the enormous cost to move any of Disney’s operations out of Florida?
Disney needs to stop making statements about of these issues. Toe the middle line and appeal to the most amount of people. That’s how companies should do business. The Parent’s Rights Bill is not anti-LGBQ. Calling it DSG is a falsity that was made up to hurt DeSantis. The bill is 90% about a parent’s rights to know what is happening physically, emotionally & educationally with their children. The last bit is saying that there will not be organized curriculum teaching sexual identity & gender to pre-k through 3rd grade. No where does it say that teachers/admin cannot talk to students about these topics. Especially if the student brings it up to them.
Disney is a public, for profit, international company. It should recuse itself from local political matters. That’s what elected officials are for, if we are unhappy with the laws the local constituents can elect whom they want. That’s the way it works and should work. Disney has a lot of concerned employees, band together – elect someone else. To cry Disney acted too late? Disney has no roll in the law making process. Constituents should have changed this long ago then. Blame the constituents that they acted too late – or accept the fact that perhaps this is what they want.
This whole line of conversation is absurd!!! This law in no way affects Disney or it’s employees and certainly doesn’t affect how their culture exists. This is for school age children. The mere fact that ppl including Disney employees believe a for profit corp should have any stance or influence on this law is absurd!!! This law and whether it is repealed or not is not a corp Disney issue.
Disney is pushing families away with their “woke-ness.” My daughters, my wife and I have been going to WDW since 1989. My wife and I had our honeymoon at WDW. We’ve been Disney Vacation Club members since 1997. Our family has fond memories of our Disney trips. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we’ll be adding many more memories. I will probably be dumping my Disney Vacation Club membership soon. Walt Disney would be ashamed of what his vision has become. Disney will not be getting any more of my families support or our money. Enjoy the hole you’ve dug for yourselves Disney.
What a shame. When visiting Disneyland or WDW, you stand (before Covid) shoulder to shoulder with people from all over the world. The only thing they and you are thinking about is how much you are going to enjoy the attraction you are in line for. When you are in “the Happiest Place on Earth” nobody cares about your politics, your race, your gender identity or anything else except the entertainment you are experiencing. How sad that any corporation would make these controversial and mostly irreconcilable differences an issue. Walt would be in disbelief.
Way too late, now that a hate bill has been signed into law. Perhaps Chapek would have better served and supported the Disney Corp, it’s staff and customer base had they not contributed financially to those in state office who proposed and voted for the bill in the first place.
Isn’t this supposed to be a newsletter/food blog?!
Why are you publishing political news?
Stick to what you are advertising!
Thank you for including the truth about this law…the fact it is about parental rights concerning their children’s education. It isn’t a “Don’t say gay” law.
This article is false and misleading. There is no such thing as the “Don’t say gay” bill of law. That’s is an outright lie by what is looking like the outrageous number of pedophiles in our country.
This bill is a great bill to defend parental rights and to keep the kids from being influenced to be something they are not. This type of instruction or discussion about sexual identity or gender has no business being discussed by at that age group in the schools.
Disney is done in our household. They are on the wrong path and have totally forgotten about “Childrens” entertainment and have moved to a nonsensical position to support pedophiles in our society.
Pathetic that Disney caved to the pressure of a bunch or idiotic employees. The correct response would have been “don’t let the door hit you in the rear on the way out”. Disney needs to stay out of this arguments and keep to their family values… not being on the side of the groups trying to destroy them.
As a former Disney Cast Member and a former elementary teacher, I will say 2 things. 1. I taught grade 4 for many years and was in the same building as K-3 students and interacted with them often. The subject of Transgender is NOT something students of this age would be able to fully understand, just not appropriate for that grade level. 2. I was a Disney Cast Member for 10 yrs. In many meetings and training at Disney, we were often told there are things that Cast Members should not talk about with guests. People come to Disney for vacation or to have fun, they want to get away from the real world for a while and enjoy themselves. Discussing politics, religion, or controversial issues of the day was strictly forbidden. Now Disney wants to be the “Wokest Place on Earth”. Well good luck Disney I’ll be visiting Universal or Sea World.
It’s a parents job to educate their child about sexual orientation. Especially as young as a kindergartner. Maybe they could have had parents sign a paper that they want to have their child taught by a teacher about that. Just like they do with lots of other topics they may come up in school.
The “don’t say gay” slogan is such a stupid juvenile reach too.
Disney needs to stay out of politics and just worry about taking care of their of customers. As a father of elementary age children, I completely agree with this bill. The majority of Americans and Disney employees agree with this bill, but are too afraid to speak out. That is why so many people across this country are moving to Florida. I just wish people would actually read the bill, before they comment.
The bill’s preamble, which is now part of the law prohibits *discussion* of sexual orientation, even in age appropriate terms. So, if a kindergartener asks Teacher why their friend has two moms, Teacher is prohibited from making a simple statement like “Not all families look the same.” I guarantee that none of the bill’s supporters would object, though, if straight familial relationships are discussed (e.g., reading a fairy tale with a prince and a princess getting married).
This is an appalling piece of hate made into law. I concur that Disney should not have donated to DeSantis’ campaign (thanks, Citizens United), and that they should have spoken out sooner on behalf of their LGBTQ+ cast members and fans. I hope they rescind their decision to transfer large parts of Imagineering to Orlando; can you imagine being told that your on-going employment would be contingent on moving to a state that is openly hostile toward you?
I am so disappointed in Disney again! I think Walt is probably rolling over in his grave right now! Why would Disney get involved in this at all! Kudos to the State of Florida for keeping these issues out of our schools especially K-3. Educators have no business getting involved in these issues and need to stick to the education of our children not the indoctrination of our children. And Disney needs to concentrate on the entertainment and magic both of which are waning in my opinion.
I wish ALL entertainment companies and entertainers would refrain from getting involved in political issues. Disney expressing their opinion on such politically driven issues such as this alienates folks like me and my family. Entertainment is escapism and when you interject politics into my entertainment then it no longer becomes entertainment.
Just one thing to say to Disney……Stay out of politics. If Disney was all about protecting our children they would be in support of this law prohibiting the indoctrination of non-age appropriate sexually-based material to children in defiance of their parent’s wishes. In this case, Disney is not looking out for the health and well being of our children; their only interest is their bottom line.
Idk how many would be against this bill if it was actually read. It never says you can’t say “gay” btw. So, Disney is for the sexual instruction of 4,5,6 and 7 year olds? All behind the parents back?? I love Disney and our family has been huge fans but I can’t get behind this.
Why does Disney feel they have more authority than parents? If I had children 5 to 7 years old, I feel that it is my responsibility as a parent to educate my children about gender, not Disney nor the public school system. Please let children be children.
I think I may be done with Disney. Does anyone even know what they’re talking about? There is nothing wrong with this law other than it being deemed necessary in the first place. What a perverted agenda to feel the need to indoctrine young children on such a sensitive, personal, and private subject. What does Disney or any other corporation have to gain by calling for the repeal of this law? If employees want to walk out because their company didn’t express their disapproval of this bill soon enough or do enough about it certainly has the right to do so. But the company has absolutely no obligation to maintain their employment. If you work for me, let’s say… doing roofing, and you want to protest the inhumane treatment of puppies and don’t like that my company didn’t officially speak out against this matter, you can absolutely do so by refusing to work, or calling me out publicly. You can do that, but I can also terminate your employment for failure to show for work or for insubordination and name smearing. I or my company could also take an official stance against puppy harm if we wanted. We all have the right to these choices. But bowing to the pressure of a few over an issue that doesn’t concern my business and it’s ability to perform or provide service or ensure the safety of my employees or customers as it relates to that specific relationship doesn’t make sense. It screams weakness and a lack of principles and values. And the values being expressed in this instance are gross and perverted. Way off base. I have loved Disney forever, but this in addition to all the stupidity of leadership (definitely a generous term in this case) over the last couple of years may be the end for me.
Disney makes profits on its rainbow collection of merchandise. So the company will simply PR it’s objection to the Florida bill, while still contributing to candidates that support the bill (and the stance behind it) and lobby for its own business interests even as those interests may conflict with inclusion.
However, here is the real threat to Disney (and to businesses – even multimillion dollar businesses):
The governor of Florida publicly stated that he intends to make Disney’s fifth “key”, Inclusion, illegal for the company to use. If that is approved and enforced, it would open the door for state governments (while publicly decrying what they call government “overreach” for the federal government to protect private company workers), to literally be able to legislate private company policy.
The governor of Florida could then review any of Disney’s policies and decide which the State deemed permissible or not. That is a scary road to go down for Disney and our country.
That is a far greater threat to Disney than even public opinion. So it is imperative for Disney to fight, at least in the public arena, the strong arm of the State of Florida, before that arm seeks to control Disney’s (a private company) business decisions and erode its autonomy.
You know what. Good for Florida. There is no reason to bring any sexual, gender identity into a 5 -8 yr olds mind. Keep race and sex out of their lives and let them grow into themselves. They are children and should play in peace while that age. People are making this a discrimination law and it is not. The bill is keeping it out of school not out of their lives.
It’s ridiculous that they even get involved with politics. If you actually read the law, and you can, it says nothing about not saying gay or anything like that. That is a lie. Read it. One part ask teachers not to teach sexual preferences to children from kindergarten to third grade. Anything to do with sexual preferences, whether straight or gay. Doesn’t single out anyone, gay or straight. Third graders are about 8 or 9 years old. So the teachers have to wait till after that to introduce the sexual stuff. The rest of the bill pertains to parents right to know what the curriculum their kids who are minors are being taught. Something as a taxpayer you should be able to know anyway. It makes sure that a parent of a minor gets notified before they get a medical procedure done to their child. Again something you would think exists already. It’s mostly stuff like that. Nowhere does it say anything about not saying gay. Disney and every company should stay out of political issues. If you don’t like the law, then take the correct routes to change it. Walking off a job? I’d be fired. Read the bill for yourself. It’s not long. Don’t let people tell you what it says with a false tagline like “don’t say gay”
Please read the actual bill, now law, before commenting! The accusations made are not even contained in this law. Thank you.
It isn’t homophobia not to want your child to be taught that gender is fluid before they have been taught biology. Go FL! Back to the basics!
-RN
Disney should have stayed out of the whole discussion. Walt CERTAINLY would never have said anything!!!
First of all, the bill is called The Parental Rights In Education Bill, it is not called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Reporting it as such is blatant media bias and can’t be considered legitimate journalism. The bill does not interfere with LGBTQ rights, it is simply an effort to make certain that any discussion on LGBTQ issues remain age appropriate. The bill restricts curriculum for kindergarten through third grade (that would be ages 5 through 8) and apparently most Florida voters support the bill. It would be enlightening if someone could explain, without the hyperbole, how this bill denies LGBTQ rights.
Sorry Bob and company, but your words and so-called concerns mean nothing. Sad how the Neo-Con’s in Florida think the bill is ok based on their conservative and religious beliefs. I respect their beliefs, but I also believe in the separation of church and state. So I wonder how they would feel and react if an Atheist politician tried to purpose and pass a “Don’t Say God” bill where as it would ban teaching about any religion and god in grades K to 3 in order to “”protect children and support parents”. Seriously what is the difference as they are both prejudice?
How does this 7 page law put ANYBODY at risk? Let kids be kids!
Why do you keep calling it the don’t say gay bill when the word gay is not even in it. Also, it’s very disappointing you don’t explain the bill…it is for kids 4-8, kindergarten to 3rd grade. It’s called PARENTAL RIGHTS in Education. If people would only read the 7pg bill before commenting and assuming…
Disney used to be spokesperson for the safety of our children. They have gone “woke” and the fact that they pushed the mislabeling of a bill to attract and misguide an audience that will probably never read it is reprehensible. The “Parental Rights in Education Bill” protects children of ages 5-9 from being exposed to teaching them about alternative lifestyles and genital identification. No classroom instruction” involving “sexual orientation or gender identity” through the third grade, and any discussions about it in older grades if it’s “in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate.” This age group simply does not have the mental broadness to fully understand and absorb genitalia and alternative lifestyles. Let teachers spend those valuable young years teaching things they will need; reading, math, and writing skills.
If you could refer to the bill by the proper name; it is the Parental Rights in Education Bill. The words ‘don’t say gay’ are not in the legislation.
Why is it such a problem to Disney because we care about what our kids learn in school or that the parents want to know and have a say in what our young kids learn. Have we become so uncaring that we let these big companies become so much into the woke theory that we don’t care about our kids or whats right
Parents have a right to decide what their children are taught in school. This is a good bill and it passed with overwhelming support from Florida voters.
Disney should stay out of politics and people should know what the Bill is about before they run off and say things, they know nothing about.
The LBGTQ community can believe and think as they wish, they don’t have the right to push their beliefs on others.
5-10 year old children still live in a life full of questions, they are still searching for answers and who they are.
Anyone who has kids or is around kids enough to know anything at all know that they change their minds as often as they change their cloths.
Let kids be kids, In fact is that what Disney is all about.
Disney should worry about the sex trafficking and pedophiles who are working at the parks and resorts. and not about how and what laws are enacted about what k-4 grade kids are being taught in schools.
When Disney has to make political statements it is time to quit supporting Disney!! I think theme parks should stay out of politics.
The bill is not about harming children or members of any community. Instead, it prohibits educators from teaching young children (Kindergarten – 3rd grade) about sexuality. Please adjust the headline and the content of your article. Please, just keep us informed about salient Disney park info.
Please get the DFB back to keeping us abreast of what’s happening at Disney World and Disneyland. Enough of the politics. Walt would be rolling over in his grave.