Disney employees are organizing walkouts every day during breaks to protest CEO Bob Chapek’s slow reaction in publicly criticizing Florida legislation, which critics have called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Protest will culminate in a walkout of LGBTQ workers and supporters at Disney workites in California, Florida, and elsewhere next Tuesday. The group of Disney employees stated this week on the Disney website.
Disney workers were asked by organizers to log in online and share their plans for the full-scale walkout next week. They stated that they must ensure there are enough people to make the event a success.
The group stated that Disney’s leadership has “utterly failed” to match the severity of the Florida legislation’s threat to LGBTQIA+ safety.
The bill prohibits instruction about “sexual orientation and gender identity” from kindergarten through grade 3. The legislation was pushed by Republican legislators who argued that parents should talk to their children about their gender identity and sexual orientation in the early years of their lives. The legislation has been subject to scrutiny by President Joe Biden who called it “hateful” and other Democrats who claim it demonizes LGBTQ persons.
The legislation was sent to Republican Florida Governor. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the legislation.
Walt Disney World, the largest employer in the private sector — Walt Disney World was home to more than 75,000 people before the coronavirus pandemic. Disney has made huge contributions to Florida’s political parties.
Chapek sent an email to Disney workers at the beginning of last Week, affirming that the company supports LGBTQ rights. However, he also stated that corporate statements don’t often do much to change minds.
Chapek informed Disney shareholders that company officials were working behind-the scenes with Florida legislators “to achieve better outcomes” but had not made a public statement.
Chapek’s public responses were criticized by supporters and workers at Disney. He later apologized for his actions and stated that the company would suspend all political donations in Florida.
Chapek sent a message to Disney employees saying that he believes the company is infinitely more successful and stronger because of its LGBTQ+ community. “I failed to make the mark in this instance, but I am an ally that you can count upon — and I will be an outspoken advocate for the protections and visibility you deserve.”
On Wednesday, Disney didn’t reply to an email query about whether walkouts during breaks had any effect on operations.
