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The Bill’s official name is the “Parental Rights in Education bill.” We’ve already shared updates regarding Disney’s initial response, the first response from CEO Bob Chapek, Chapek’s follow-up comments during Disney’s Shareholder meeting, and responses that have since been made to those comments. Now, there’s been a new development.
As a quick summary, according to The Hill, the proposed Florida Bill would “restrict mention of LGBTQ+ topics in classrooms that are not ‘age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.'” It would also provide parents with “greater authority to take legal action against school districts believed to be in violation.”
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Again, Disney initially issued a statement shared through Good Morning America. Thereafter, CEO Bob Chapek released a memo explaining why Disney had not issued a more formal corporate statement. Chapek then made more comments regarding the Bill during Disney’s Shareholder meeting, and the Human Rights Campaign thereafter responded to Disney’s comments and pledge of donation funds.
Today, Bob Chapek released an additional message regarding the Bill. The message was sent to employees of the Walt Disney Company and thereafter posted on The Walt Disney Company website. The memo was addressed to Chapek’s “fellow colleagues,” but especially Disney’s LGBTQ+ community. Chapek started by thanking those who had reached out to him “sharing [their pain, frustration and sadness over the company’s response to the Florida ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill.”
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Chapek stated, “You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. I am sorry.” He goes on to note that the company needs to use its “influence to promote that good by telling inclusive stories, but also by standing up for the rights of all.”
Chapek also shared that they are planning to make some changes. In the memo he stated, “Starting immediately, we are increasing our support for advocacy groups to combat similar legislation in other states. We are hard at work creating a new framework for our political giving that will ensure our advocacy better reflects our values. And today, we are pausing all political donations in the state of Florida pending this review.”
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Chapek ended the letter by saying “I truly believe we are an infinitely better and stronger company because of our LGBTQ+ community. I missed the mark in this case but am an ally you can count on—and I will be an outspoken champion for the protections, visibility, and opportunity you deserve.”
You can read the statement in full below:
To my fellow colleagues, but especially our LGBTQ+ community,
Thank you to all who have reached out to me sharing your pain, frustration and sadness over the company’s response to the Florida “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Speaking to you, reading your messages, and meeting with you have helped me better understand how painful our silence was. It is clear that this is not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights. You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. I am sorry.
Our employees see the power of this great company as an opportunity to do good. I agree. Yes, we need to use our influence to promote that good by telling inclusive stories, but also by standing up for the rights of all.
Starting immediately, we are increasing our support for advocacy groups to combat similar legislation in other states. We are hard at work creating a new framework for our political giving that will ensure our advocacy better reflects our values. And today, we are pausing all political donations in the state of Florida pending this review. But, I know there is so much more work to be done. I am committed to this work and to you all, and will continue to engage with the LGBTQ+ community so that I can become a better ally. You will hear more about our progress in the coming weeks.
I truly believe we are an infinitely better and stronger company because of our LGBTQ+ community. I missed the mark in this case but am an ally you can count on—and I will be an outspoken champion for the protections, visibility, and opportunity you deserve.
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We’ll make sure to keep you updated as this story progresses, so stay tuned to DFB for more information on this and other Disney news.
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This guy needs to go. Run a company, Cheapek. Not a political organization.
Good for Chapek. Apologizing was the right thing to do.
I wish Corporations would stay out of politics altogether. I am not anti LBGT, although I agree with FL, that keeping advocating it to children up to 8 is a good idea. If the children have a LBGT teacher, just let them be an example by being there. Parents should have rights. I will not visit Disney again as a statement, and I have been 3 times in the past. I hope others follow my example.
Pathetic little man.
Disney started as a FAMILY entertainment corporation. Many of the practices and procedures are to protect the image of that status. This new statement is in DIRECT CONFLICT with that image. Children should be exposed to age appropriate content. You would never give a 5 year old a pack of cigarettes or a bottle of liquor.
They have to be 16 to drive and 18 to vote.
Concepts are grasped at certain ages and childhood needs to be protected. I’m truly saddened that a corporation such as Disney is so misconstruing this.
BTW , our oldest is gay and we are extremely proud of her so I do have a personal point of reference in my concerns.
The Florida bill is incorrectly named “Don’t say gay” by the media. It prevents the teaching of any kind of sexual orientation or other sexual content to children third grade and below. No young child needs to be exposed to any sexual content hetero or homosexual. Our children are already overexposed to too much sexual content by the media. Let children be children. It is sad that people are misrepresenting this as an anti-gay bill. It is a bill which protects our children from exposure to sexual content at too early an age.
I wish they would quit calling it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. It’s a bill to allow discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools starting at kindergarten. Why would Disney back something like this?
Too bad Chapek didn’t stop donations to the state legislators who passed the bill. His statements now are way too little, way too late.
They would do better to stop donating to these legislators. Talk is cheap when you continue to fund the people who enact these laws
This situation was a big stumble for Chapek. People loved to criticize Bob Iger, but he smoothly led the company without drawing negative attention to Disney. Seems likely that the board of directors isn’t thrilled over the handling of this.
As one of the first major corporations to provide health insurance coverage to domestic partners of employees, regardless of gender, it’s appalling that Chapek is donating to state legislators that supported and passed a hate bill. Disney has been an inclusive corporation for decades, including the recent gender inclusive changes to employee dress codes. It’s not called the Magic Queendom for nothing. I’m happy to support a corporation that is so inclusive, but Chapek is pandering to haters with his afterthought of an apology.
Inclusion is a great thing people should be able to live the life they choose and I have always practiced and supported that. There are always two sides to a story and for this story one side is “don’t say gay” and the other side is “read the bill”. To interpret this bill as some kind of prejudice is ridiculous. The Florida representatives drafted this bill on behalf of constituents they represent such as past, present and future parents. You would think the CEO of Disney would be better equipped to make a statement which would unite people instead of creating division.
Just my opinion but my first class that included sex education was in 10th grade health class. I’m not saying that’s the right answer but neither is elementary school.