But the HRC now says it won't take those funds. He also said the company will pledge five million dollars to organizations "working to protect" LGBTQ+ rights, including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). "I get why a company would not want to alienate some people, but it's also important to be on the right side of history," he tells NPR.įlorida's Senate bill, which passed on Tuesday, reads, "A school district may not encourage classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels," according to the text.Ĭhapek announced that Disney has signed the Human Rights Campaign's statement opposing similar legislative efforts. "It seems like it's a day too late," says Rick Munarriz, a senior analyst with the financial and investor advice company The Motley Fool. Ron DeSantis Wednesday morning, "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." Chapek says DeSantis has agreed to meet with him and some of Disney's LGBTQ+ employees to hear their concerns. Now, Chapek said the company is "reassessing our approach to advocacy - including political giving in Florida and beyond."Ĭhapek said that he called Florida Gov. On Wednesday, at Disney's annual meeting with shareholders, Disney CEO Bob Chapek acknowledged their anger, saying that he knows "many are upset that we didn't speak out against the bill."Ĭhapek explained that Disney leaders 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." In recent days, Disney employees shared their outrage on social media when the company did not denounce the proposed legislation. The bill would limit discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.
The so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill was passed by Florida's House and Senate and is headed to Gov. The Walt Disney Company has now come out against Florida's Parental Rights In Education bill. Disney CEO Bob Chapek speaks at Disney's California Adventure Park in June 2021.