Disney CEO responds to LGBTQ+ employees’ open letter regarding censorship
Disney CEO Bob Chapek finally apologised to the LGBTQ+ employees after the recent ‘Don’t Say Gill’ bill backlash. Over the last few weeks, LGBTQ+ activists have condemned Florida and the state’s harmful Parental Rights in Education bill.
On 24 February, the legislation passed in the Republican-led House of Representatives by a vote of 69-47. Under the proposed bill, “classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity” would be restricted in elementary schools.
With the bill headed to conservative governor Ron DeSantis, activists have denounced the law, its political sponsors and the companies backing the legislation.
One of the companies to come under fire was Disney – due to their silence and past donations to the bill’s sponsors. On 7 March, Variety reported that Chapek sent out a company-wide letter in which he expressed “unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ+ community”. “In terms of our communities, we are and will continue to be a leader in supporting organisations that champion diversity,” part of it stated. “In 2021, we provided nearly $3 million to support the work of LGBTQ+ organisations.
