Disney LGBTQ Employees Plan Walkouts To Protest Response To Florida Bill
LGBTQ employees for Disney have planned a walkout protesting the controversial Florida Bill and the company's poor handling of the situation. A recent bill in Florida, known as the Parental Rights in Education bill, but has earned the nickname «Don't Say Gay Bill,» prevents the teaching of various LGBTQ+ topics in schools from Kindergarten to third grade and allows parents to sue educators who bring up these issues in the classroom. With Disney being a major influence in the state of Florida, with Disney World and the various theme parks that make up the travel destination, many expected Disney to take a stand as the company public face has been that of progressive ideals.
However, Disney's new CEO, Bob Chapek, remained silent on the bill for quite a long time, and then released an internal email saying that he stands with the LGBTQ+ community, but did not think any actual action from the company would be better than the material they create, a comment that was heavily criticized by Disney employees. The CEO even had to answer tough questions during an investor call. While Chapek later said that the company would ease all donations and reassess who they contribute to politically, the CEO never claimed any further action that would take place after that, and it appears the damage has already been done.
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According to Variety, a group of Disney employees have planned a week of in-person and virtual walkouts in response to Chapek's poor handling of the Florida «Don't Say Gay Bill,» starting Tuesday, March 15. The walkouts are planned during a 15-minute break period and are set to take place daily from 3:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. (respective to the employees' timezone),
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