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Human Rights Campaign rejects Disney money until company takes ‘meaningful action’ against Florida’s controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill | Planet Attractions
     

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Human Rights Campaign rejects Disney money until company takes ‘meaningful action’ against Florida’s controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill

Disney’s Bob Chapek has denounced a bill aimed at banning the discussion of LGBTQ+ issues in the classroom but the Human Rights Campaign has refused a Disney donation, saying the statement doesn’t go far enough




Disney’s relationship with the bill had been questioned after it was discovered the company had donated to all of its sponsors   Credit: AP Images for AIDS Healthcare Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer civil rights organisation - has responded to a statement by Disney CEO Bob Chapek regarding the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill - legislation that if approved would censor teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ people and issues in the classroom.

Disney is currently dealing with major backlash surrounding its relationship and response to the bill, which would bar teachers from teaching topics of sexual orientation or gender identity to children under 10 years old. Florida’s Republican-dominated Senate passed the bill this week, with Governor Ron DeSantis expected to sign the measure into law in the near future. If teachers fail to comply with the new ruling, they could find themselves on the end of an expensive lawsuit.

Disney first came under fire in February after it was discovered that the company had donated to all sponsors of the controversial bill.

A company statement followed, with Disney saying “how important this issue is to our LGBTQ+ employees and many others”, but critics pointed out that the company had failed to mention the donations or action that would be taken.

It was this week during Disney’s annual shareholder meeting that Chapek finally denounced the bill, adding that he was disappointed by his own failure to not speak out sooner.

“I know that many are upset that we did not speak out against the bill,” he said. “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, engaging directly with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

“I called governor DeSantis this morning (March 9) to express our disappointment and concern that if the legislation becomes law it could be used to unfairly target gay, lesbian, non-binary and transgender kids and families. The governor heard our concerns and agreed to meet with me and LGBTQ+ members of our senior team in Florida to discuss ways to address that.

I understand our original approach, no matter how well-intended, didn’t quite get the job done. We are committed to supporting the community going forward.”

In his statement, Chapek also pledged US$5m (€4.56m, £3.82m) to help protect LGBTQ+ rights. This donation has, however, been rejected by HRC, which said in its own statement that it would not be accepting any money from Disney until “meaningful action is taken”.

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

“Businesses have had and continue to have a major impact in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, from marriage equality to the defeat of House Bill 2 in North Carolina and beyond. While Disney took a regrettable stance by choosing to stay silent amid political attacks against LGBTQ+ families in Florida - including hardworking families employed by Disney - today they took a step in the right direction. But it was merely the first step.

“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. 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.”


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Human Rights Campaign rejects Disney money until company takes ‘meaningful action’ against Florida’s controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill | Planet Attractions
news

Human Rights Campaign rejects Disney money until company takes ‘meaningful action’ against Florida’s controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill

Disney’s Bob Chapek has denounced a bill aimed at banning the discussion of LGBTQ+ issues in the classroom but the Human Rights Campaign has refused a Disney donation, saying the statement doesn’t go far enough




Disney’s relationship with the bill had been questioned after it was discovered the company had donated to all of its sponsors   Credit: AP Images for AIDS Healthcare Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer civil rights organisation - has responded to a statement by Disney CEO Bob Chapek regarding the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill - legislation that if approved would censor teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ people and issues in the classroom.

Disney is currently dealing with major backlash surrounding its relationship and response to the bill, which would bar teachers from teaching topics of sexual orientation or gender identity to children under 10 years old. Florida’s Republican-dominated Senate passed the bill this week, with Governor Ron DeSantis expected to sign the measure into law in the near future. If teachers fail to comply with the new ruling, they could find themselves on the end of an expensive lawsuit.

Disney first came under fire in February after it was discovered that the company had donated to all sponsors of the controversial bill.

A company statement followed, with Disney saying “how important this issue is to our LGBTQ+ employees and many others”, but critics pointed out that the company had failed to mention the donations or action that would be taken.

It was this week during Disney’s annual shareholder meeting that Chapek finally denounced the bill, adding that he was disappointed by his own failure to not speak out sooner.

“I know that many are upset that we did not speak out against the bill,” he said. “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, engaging directly with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

“I called governor DeSantis this morning (March 9) to express our disappointment and concern that if the legislation becomes law it could be used to unfairly target gay, lesbian, non-binary and transgender kids and families. The governor heard our concerns and agreed to meet with me and LGBTQ+ members of our senior team in Florida to discuss ways to address that.

I understand our original approach, no matter how well-intended, didn’t quite get the job done. We are committed to supporting the community going forward.”

In his statement, Chapek also pledged US$5m (€4.56m, £3.82m) to help protect LGBTQ+ rights. This donation has, however, been rejected by HRC, which said in its own statement that it would not be accepting any money from Disney until “meaningful action is taken”.

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

“Businesses have had and continue to have a major impact in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, from marriage equality to the defeat of House Bill 2 in North Carolina and beyond. While Disney took a regrettable stance by choosing to stay silent amid political attacks against LGBTQ+ families in Florida - including hardworking families employed by Disney - today they took a step in the right direction. But it was merely the first step.

“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. 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.”


 



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