Disney and Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill

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Florida bill HB 1557 (2022), formally known as the Parental Rights in Education bill and commonly referred to by its opponents as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten to grade 3 in Florida public school districts, or instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in a manner that is not "age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students". Parents and teachers can sue a school district if they believe the policy is being violated. In late February 2022, the Orlando Sentinel reported that The Walt Disney Company had previously made campaign contributions to the bill's sponsors.

On March 7, Disney CEO Bob Chapek declared that the company would not take a public stance on the bill and instead focus on affecting change through its content. Many individuals associated with Disney have spoken out against its stance, with Pixar employees revealing that despite Chapek's statement, Disney often removed references to homosexuality and LGBT themes from the studio's films in the past. Following the controversy regarding the company's involvement with the bill, Disney reinstated a same-sex kiss in Pixar's upcoming film Lightyear and hosted a town hall meeting to discuss the bill's impact on company employees and their families. Furthermore, Disney affirmed that they would challenge the bill.

Background[edit]

In February 2022 the Florida House of Representatives passed the HB 1557.[1] Commonly referred to as the "Don't Say Gay" bill by its opponents, it prevents public schools from holding discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity, stating that lessons "may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards".[1] The latter passage has been criticized for its vague language, as it "could be interpreted to extend to all grade levels",[2][3] and potentially forbid students from discussing their lives within a classroom setting.[4] The bill will also allow parents to sue teachers or schools for engaging with these topics.[1] On March 8, the bill passed the Florida Senate[2] and was signed by the governor, Ron DeSantis, on March 28.[5]

The Orlando Sentinel reported in February 2022 that The Walt Disney Company has donated money to all of the bill's sponsors and cosponsors,[6] with The Verge reporting that the donations have totaled around $200,000.[7] On March 7, Disney CEO Bob Chapek released an internal statement proclaiming the company would stand by its LGBT employees,[8] but it would not be taking a public stance either condemning or supporting the bill.[6] According to Chapek, Disney can have its biggest impact in "creating a more inclusive world [...] through the inspiring content [the company] produce[s]".[9]

A day after the bill passed, Chapek condemned the legislation[6] and offered a donation of $5 million to the LGBT advocacy group Human Rights Campaign (HRC),[10] which was refused by the organization until further action against anti-LGBT legislation was taken;[11] however, HRC did acknowledge that the donation was a first step.[12]

Other companies[edit]

Along with Disney, various other corporations donated money to the bill's sponsors.[13] Some of them include UnitedHealth Group ($200,000), Publix ($125,000), Charter Communications ($102,000), AT&T ($86,000), Anheuser-Busch ($75,000), Duke Energy ($34,000), Comcast/NBCUniversal ($28,000), and Walgreens ($28,000).[13][14] Many of these companies—such as UnitedHealth Group, AT&T, Duke Energy, Comcast/NBCUniversal, and Walgreens—have been noted for "publicly promot[ing themselves] as fighting for LGBTQ rights".[13]

Criticism of Disney[edit]

Disney's actions of donating money to the bill's sponsors drew criticism from various organizations and individuals associated with the company. Among the first to speak out against Disney's actions was Dana Terrace; the creator of the Disney Channel series The Owl House, who criticized Disney's decision.[8] Other individuals that would go on to denounce Disney's and Chapek's stance include DuckTales writer Benjamin Siemon, Walt Disney's grandniece Abigail Disney,[6] Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. producer Drew Z. Greenberg, The Ghost and Molly McGee creator Bill Motz, and Andi Mack star Lilan Bowden.[15] In response to the bill's passage and Disney's stance, Terrace held a live charity stream on March 13, with the proceeds going to LGBT organizations;[16][17] the charity raised $70,000 for the Zebra Coalition.[18]

Many of Disney's subsidiaries have denounced the bill and the company's stance. A statement attributed to "the LGBTQIA+ employees of Pixar, and their allies" was released,[9] where it is stated that "beautiful stories, full of diverse characters, come back from Disney corporate reviews shaved down to crumbs of what they once were".[19][20] They further criticized Chapek's statement about the biggest impact Disney can have being through its inclusive content, by revealing that "nearly every moment of overtly gay affection is cut at Disney’s behest, regardless of when there is protest from both the creative teams and executive leadership at Pixar".[21][22] Marvel Studios also "denounce[d] any and ALL legislation that infringes on the basic human rights of the LGBTQIA+ community".[23]

Owning to Disney's stance, many employees planned to stage 15-minute digital walkouts starting on March 16, culminating with a day-long walkout on March 22.[24] In an open letter, Disney's response was criticized for having "utterly failed to match the magnitude of the threat to LGBTQIA+ safety represented by [the bill]",[24] as well as failing to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion as one of its core values, despite claiming to do so.[24] The protest organizers set up a website including a list of "demands for [Disney] to take to regain the trust of the LGBTQIA+ community and employees",[25] such as the company ceasing donations to politicians that helped create and pass the bill.[25] Another demand is for Disney to create an in-house brand that focuses on "LGBTQ+ creators and underrepresented voices", similarly to The Onyx Collective, which focuses on creators of color.[26]

Response from Disney[edit]

In response to the controversy surrounding Disney's involvement in the bill, the company reinstated a previously deleted kiss between two female characters in Pixar's upcoming film Lightyear.[27]

Disney hosted a town hall meeting on March 21 to discuss the subject with company employees, specifically the impact it can have on them and their families. The company plans to relocate around 2,000 workers from California to Florida.[28] The meeting is part of the Reimagine Tomorrow campaign, which aims to promote diversity and inclusion at Disney.[28][29]

After DeSantis signed the bill, Disney released a statement that its goal is for the law to be repealed or struck down.[30] In a possible act of retaliation, DeSantis and Florida lawmakers have threatened to repeal the 1967 Reedy Creek Improvement Act, which established the area surrounding the Walt Disney Resort, the Reedy Creek Improvement District, as its own city.[31]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Alfonseca, Kiara (February 24, 2022). "Florida House passes controversial 'Don't Say Gay' bill". ABC News. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Sopelsa, Brooke; Bellamy-Walker, Tat (March 8, 2022). "'Don't Say Gay' bill: Florida Senate passes controversial LGBTQ school measure". NBC News. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  3. ^ Woodward, Alex (March 16, 2022). "Disney workers stage daily walkouts to protest 'Don't Say Gay' and demand protections for LGBT+ staff". The Independent. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  4. ^ Popat, Shrai; Honderich, Holly (March 8, 2022). "Florida lawmakers pass 'Don't Say Gay' bill". BBC. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  5. ^ https://flgov.com/2022/03/28/governor-ron-desantis-signs-historic-bill-to-protect-parental-rights-in-education/
  6. ^ a b c d Watercutter, Angela (March 12, 2022). "The Hypocrisy of Disney's Response to Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Bill". Wired. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  7. ^ Pulliam-Moore, Charles (March 11, 2022). "Disney's queer characters won't hide its funding of real villains". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Radulovic, Petrana (March 7, 2022). "Owl House creator Dana Terrace is 'fucking tired of making Disney look good'". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Vary, Adam B.; Jackson, Angelique (March 9, 2022). "Disney Censors Same-Sex Affection in Pixar Films, According to Letter From Employees". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  10. ^ "Disney apologises for 'silence' on 'Don't Say Gay' bill". BBC. March 11, 2022. Archived from the original on March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  11. ^ Faughnder, Ryan (March 10, 2022). "Disney employees 'hurt' and 'angry' over CEO's response to Florida LGBTQ bill". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  12. ^ White, Abbey (March 9, 2022). "Human Rights Campaign Refuses Disney Donation Until More Action Is Taken on "Don't Say Gay" Bill". The Hollywood Reporter. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  13. ^ Ring, Trudy (February 17, 2022). "Pro-LGBTQ+ Companies Funded Florida Lawmakers Who Back 'Don't Say Gay'". The Advocate. Pride Media. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  14. ^ White, Abbey (March 11, 2022). "Inside Disney's Chaotic "Don't Say Gay" Bill Response". The Hollywood Reporter. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  15. ^ Kim, Matt (March 9, 2022). "Disney Animators Protest Company's Stance on Controversial Florida Law [Update]". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  16. ^ King, Jade` (March 11, 2022). "Queer Kids Deserve So Much Better Than Disney". TheGamer. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on March 13, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  17. ^ King, Jade (March 15, 2022). "The Owl House Season 2B: All The New Screenshots, Episode Titles, And What To Expect". TheGamer. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  18. ^ Bricken, Rob (March 11, 2022). "Pixar Blasts Disney for Censoring Its LGBTQ Content". Gizmodo. G/O Media. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  19. ^ Tapp, Tom (March 9, 2022). "Internal Pixar Letter Disputes Disney's Support Of LGBTQIA+ Employees & Questions Company's Commitment to Change". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  20. ^ Massoto, Erick (March 10, 2022). "Pixar Employees Pen Letter Calling Out Disney For Removing "Gay Affection" From Films". Collider. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  21. ^ Shutler, Ali (March 12, 2022). "Disney apologises for "painful silence" on 'Don't Say Gay' bill". NME. NME Networks. Archived from the original on March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  22. ^ PA Media (March 16, 2022). "Marvel denounces 'Don't Say Gay' bill after Disney apology". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022.
  23. ^ a b c Pulliam-Moore, Charles (March 15, 2022). "Disney employees are staging walkouts over Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  24. ^ a b Faughnder, Ryan (March 15, 2022). "Disney LGBTQ employees plan walkout over Florida bill". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  25. ^ Taylor, Vanessa (March 16, 2022). "Disney employees are planning a week of walkouts over the Don't Say Gay bill". Mic. Bustle Digital Group. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  26. ^ Vary, Adam B. (March 18, 2022). "Same-Sex Kiss Restored in Pixar's 'Lightyear' Following Staff Uproar Over 'Don't Say Gay' Bill (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  27. ^ a b Palmeri, Christopher; Wanna, Carly (March 20, 2022). "Disney to Meet With Staff After Outcry Over Stand on LGBTQ Bill". Bloomberg News. Bloomberg L.P. Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  28. ^ Hayes, Dade; D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 21, 2022). "Disney Postpones Management Retreat As CEO Bob Chapek Continues To Account For Company's "Don't Say Gay" Bill Response". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  29. ^ Durkee, Alison (March 28, 2022). "Disney Says Striking Down 'Don't Say Gay' Law Is Company's 'Goal' After DeSantis Signs Bill". Forbes. Integrated Whale Media Investments. Archived from the original on April 3, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  30. ^ Durke, Alison (April 1, 2022). "Here's How Florida Republicans Could Punish Disney For 'Don't Say Gay' Opposition". Forbes. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
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