Disney CEO addresses silence on Florida 'Don't Say Gay' bill

[left-of-center2012]

Disney hasn’t issued any public statements regarding what is officially known as the Parental Rights in Education bill, which would ban Florida educators from speaking to primary school students about certain LGBTQ+ subjects that aren’t considered “age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.”

Disney has a massive presence in Florida, employing tens of thousands of people at its Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, and last year it said it was moving an additional 2,000 jobs from its Southern California properties to Florida.

In a company-wide memo he said that Disney’s social positions “do very little to change outcomes or minds” and instead are “often weaponized by one side or the other to further divide and inflame.” Chapek said, “Simply put, they can be counterproductive and undermine more effective ways to achieve change,” referring to Disney’s movies and shows and its philanthropic support of LGBTQ+ organizations.

Chapek also addressed internal concerns over Disney’s political contributions in Florida by saying Geoff Morrell, its new chief corporate affairs officer, would be “reassessing our advocacy strategies around the world- including political giving.” CEO Bob Chapek said the company “unequivocally” stands with its LGBTQ+ employees but wouldn’t be taking any public stances on the matter.

https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/597335-disney-ceo-addresses-silence-on-florida-dont-say-gay-bill

[RKP5637]

1. With the signing of the bill, it will be seen that DeSantis has some real psychological issues with

his psychological projection, and that of the bizarre individuals that crafted this bill. Very strange creepy backward people that should be voted out of office!

[Duncan Grant]

2. We wouldn't want to compromise our revenue $tream by doing what's right.

Hey, thanks for enabling the oppressors Disney. What more are you willing to justify for your bottom line?

[IngridsLittleAngel]

3. What else would we expect from The Rat?

Nothing matters more than their money. And there's never enough. Eleventy billion dollars in profits last year? Well, damnit, we need to earn thirteenty billion this year!

And, you know, speaking up and taking a stand.... that might anger a few people, and, they may not give us their money... Which means we won't see yet another profit record...

Won't someone think of the poor CEO's and shareholders?

Well, they've now erased all doubt that they don't stand with us... Just use us when it's convenient to help bring in money.

[Eugene]

4. Disney suspends political donations in Florida after bill restricting LGBTQ discussion

Disney suspends political donations in Florida after bill restricting LGBTQ discussion

The company’s slow response stands in contrast to its branding as LGBTQ-friendly.

Disney announced on Friday that it would pause all political donations in Florida in the wake of a controversial state bill that restricts discussion of LGBTQ issues in public schools. Over the last few weeks, the company had received criticism for remaining silent about what critics call the “don’t say gay” bill, which is expected to be signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

In a statement sent to employees on Friday, Disney CEO Bob Chapek also announced that the company would increase support for advocacy groups fighting similar laws elsewhere (such as one recently introduced in Georgia) and would reassess Disney’s political donation policies. Chapek apologized to the company’s workers for not making a statement sooner, writing, “You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down.” In response, DeSantis criticized what he called the company’s “woke” ideology.[div]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/03/12/disney-donation-pause-dont-sat-gay-bill/

Non-paywalled link: https://wapo.st/37lovUF