After ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Backlash, Disney CEO Expresses ‘Unwavering Support’ for LGBTQ Community
variety.comEthan Shanfeld In the wake of controversy over Disney’s quiet response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, Disney CEO Bob Chapek expressed the company’s “unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ+ community” in a company-wide email obtained by Variety.“In terms of our communities, we are and will continue to be a leader in supporting organizations that champion diversity,” the memo reads. “In 2021, we provided nearly $3 million to support the work of LGBTQ+ organizations.
And, we have a long history of supporting important events like Pride parades.”The memo comes just days after Disney drew criticism for its soft stance on the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which would limit discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.
The bill was passed by Florida’s House of Representatives on Feb. 24 and will soon be voted on by the Senate. Instead of denouncing the controversial legislation, Disney said in a statement, “The biggest impact we can have in creating a more inclusive world is through the inspiring content we produce, the welcoming culture we create here and the diverse community organizations we support, including those representing the LGBTQ+ community.”In Monday’s memo, Chapek stated, “I do not want anyone to mistake a lack of statement for a lack of support.
We all share the same goal of a more tolerant, respectful world. Where we may differ is in the tactics to get there.”Disney did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request to comment.View the memo in full below:Team,Before getting to the heart of my message, I want to acknowledge all those impacted by the invasion of Ukraine, especially our team in Europe and our employees around the world who have family in the region.
