Disney under pressure from Human Rights Groups over “Don’t Say Gay” Bill

Disney has come under fire for staying silent amid political attacks against LGBTQ+ families in Florida

The Human Rights Campaign plans to refuse the donation Disney CEO Bob Chapek pledged to the organization until meaningful action is taken to ensure laws like Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill isn’t passed.

“The Human Rights Campaign will not accept this money from Disney until we see them build on their public commitment and work with LGTBQ+ advocates to ensure that dangerous proposals, like Florida’s, Don’t Say Gay or Trans bill, don’t become dangerous laws,” says Joni Madison, interim president of the Human Rights Campaign.

The statement says Disney “took a regrettable stance by choosing to stay silent amid political attacks against LGBTQ+ families in Florida.”

Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Bob Chapek has expressed concerns about Florida’s controversial bill meant to limit classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Speaking during Disney’s annual shareholder meeting, Chapek said Disney had pledged $5 million to LGBTQ+ rights groups including the Human Rights Campaign, and said the company would sign the organization’s statement opposing anti-gay legislation.

More action on rights

But the Human Rights Campaign wants to see more action.

“HRC encourages Disney, and all employers, to continue to fight for their employees — many of whom bravely spoke out to say their CEO’s silence was unacceptable — and the LGBTQ+ community by working with us and state and local LGBTQ+ groups to ensure these dangerous anti-equality proposals that harm LGBTQ+ families and kids have no place in Florida,” the statement continues.

“Every student deserves to be seen, and every student deserves an education that prepares them for health and success — regardless of who they are. This should be the beginning of Disney’s advocacy efforts rather than the end.”

Chapek also said that Disney signed a national business statement opposing anti-LGBTQ state legislation and that LGBTQ members of the company’s senior team in Florida would be meeting with Gov. Rob DeSantis.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Chapek told shareholders, “We were opposed to the bill from the outset, but we chose not to take a public position on it because we thought we could be more effective working behind the scenes working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.”