Disney Workers Staging Series of Walkouts Over 'Don't Say Gay' Bill
statement on an employee website. The site is titled Where Is Chapek, a reference to Disney CEO Bob Chapek.Chapek apologized Friday for the company’s slow response to the bill and promised to pause political contributions, which have gone to many of the measure’s supporters.
The bill has been passed by both houses of the Florida legislature and is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
It would ban classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3 and stipulate that any instruction in higher grades be “age-appropriate,” language that opponents say is too vague and threatens to further marginalize LGBTQ+ students and staff.Walkouts that take place during employees’ 15-minute breaks began Tuesday and will continue through next Monday.
Organizers are planning a full-day walkout for next Tuesday at Disney locations in Florida, California, and elsewhere. They warn that employees are not protected against discipline over the full-day action, unlike the break-time walkouts. “Take your own situation into account before choosing to participate,” the site says.The organizers are making several demands of the company.
