Following an employee walkout and outcry, Disney broke its silence on Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill on March 28. The company’s latest stance is a big shift.
The move follows public outcry and a walkout by some Disney employees. The Walt Disney company is finally taking a stand for the LGBTQ+ community. After Florida governor Gov. Ron DeSantis signed what’s become known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill into law on March 28, the company took its boldest stance yet against the legislation. Between condemning the legislation and vowing to help repeal the law, Disney’s March 28 response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill is a big shift from its initial silence, and previous statements on the matter. Commonly dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, HB 1557: Parental Rights in Education was passed by Florida Senate on March 8, and signed into law 20 days later. The bill, which also encompasses mental health for kids, states: “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in.” While supporters say they don’t want young children taught about sexuality, critics note that the vague wording could ban anything from lessons including LGBTQ+ people to mention of students’ own families, as well as encourage harmful rhetoric marginalizing people in LGBTQ+ communities by banning discussion on the subject.
