March 8, 2022
Disney Employees Call Out Company's 'Don't Say Gay' Response
Emell Adolphus READ TIME: 2 MIN.
After Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek issued a staffwide statement about why the company did not take a position sooner on Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill, staff are saying too little too late.
As reported IndieWire, employees took to Twitter, including animators, writers and other creatives, to voice their disdain.
"Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." writer Drew Z. Greenberg tweeted, "I'm a huge Disney fan as is well documented on this site. Even I say this statement is weak."
"I'm gay! I work for Disney feature animation! Disney needs to support the people making the content AND the families we're making them for!" technical designer Cameron Black tweeted. "Silence is unacceptable!"
Along with critiques of the company's statement, Disney employees also took the opportunity to share their experiences as LGBTQ youth and how the "Don't Say Gay" bill threatens to make life that much more difficult for LGBTQ students finding their identity.
In a video posted on Twitter, animation writer Benjamin Siemon recounted how he struggled to find himself growing up but had amazing teachers to help him find his way.
"[Disney is] starting to include more LGBT characters that let kids know that being gay is all right. But when they have donated to the sponsors and co-sponsors of the 'Don't Say Gay' bill and they have made no position against this bill, and they are going to continue donating to these politicians, they are essentially saying that this bill is OK," said Siemon.
"Animator and director Dana Terrace, who created Disney's animated series "The Owl House," joined in the protest. Terrace called for action: a livestream for charity on March 13 to go to organizations that support LGBT youth," reported NPR.
"Andi Mack" alum Lilan Bowden added, "I LOVED being a part of a Disney Channel show known for featuring gay characters AND storylines. The 'Don't Say Gay' bill will be DETRIMENTAL to LGBTQIA+ kids. I'm with [Siemon], hoping the company or more ppl in the company take action against this hateful bill. #DisneySayGay."
If signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the "Don't Say Gay" bill will prohibit "classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity" in Florida primary schools.
Previously, it was reported that Disney has given money to every single sponsor and co-sponsor of the "Don't Say Gay" bill.
As the Orlando Sentinel reported, Disney has funded the bill's Senate sponsor Ocala Republican Dennis Baxley's political campaigns, and the senator has actively backed anti-gay legislation for years, including laws that would block gay couples from adopting children.
Protests are planned at Disney campuses in Orlando through March 8-11, Business Wire reported.
