Disney apologises for “painful silence” on ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill

nme.com:

Disney CEO Bob Chapek has apologised to employees for his silence over Florida’s controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill which was passed earlier this week.The Republican-led bill, formally known as Parental Rights in Education, bans discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten to third grade classes (aged 8-9).

It argued that conversations around identity should be handled by parents, not schools.The White House has called the legislation “hateful” and something which targets “vulnerable students”.Disney has been criticised for not speaking out against the bill.

The company employs 77,000 people in Florida while their Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando attracts over 58million people every year.Last week (March 7) Chapek sent out an email to staff, claiming “corporate statements do very little to change outcomes or minds.”“Simply put, they can be counterproductive and undermine more effective ways to achieve change,” he added, according to Deadline.I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are.