Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Eugene

(62,646 posts)
Wed Mar 9, 2022, 08:54 PM Mar 2022

Disney C.E.O. Says Company Is 'Opposed' to Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Bill

Earlier DU thread: Florida lawmakers pass 'Don't Say Gay' bill, send to Gov. DeSantis for signature

______________________________________________________________________

Source: New York Times

Disney C.E.O. Says Company Is ‘Opposed’ to Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill

Bob Chapek’s remarks followed criticism that the company, a major employer in the state because of Disney World, had not spoken out against the legislation.

By Brooks Barnes
March 9, 2022
Updated 7:53 p.m. ET

It was a bruised Bob Chapek who arrived at Disney’s annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday — and all because of a crisis of his own making.

Earlier in the week, Mr. Chapek, the company’s chief executive, botched an internal email to Disney employees. He was seeking to explain Disney’s public silence on anti-L.G.B.T.Q. legislation in Florida that activists have labeled the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. There had been growing internal pressure on Mr. Chapek to condemn the bill, especially since his predecessor, Robert A. Iger, had already done so on Twitter and Disney employs 80,000 people in Florida. Instead, Mr. Chapek’s nearly 1,000-word memo poured gasoline on the fire, and the hashtag #boycottDisney was soon trending on social media.

“I am deeply angered by Disney thinking it can look the other way,” Abigail Disney, a granddaughter of one of Disney’s founders, wrote on Twitter. Employees in some parts of the company — Lucasfilm in San Francisco, Walt Disney World in Florida — complained bitterly to managers. On Tuesday, the Animation Guild, which represents Hollywood animation artists, writers and technicians, called Mr. Chapek’s decision to stay quiet “a momentous misstep” that “defies logic and company ethics.” The Los Angeles Times skewered him in an opinion column headlined in part, “Disney sets a new standard for corporate cowardice.”

Mr. Chapek addressed the criticism on Wednesday.

“While we’ve been strong supporters of the community for decades, I know that many are upset that we did not speak out against the bill,” said Mr. Chapek, who made his remarks off camera during the virtual meeting. “We were opposed to the bill from the outset, and we chose not to take a public position because we felt we could be more effective working behind the scenes directly with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.”

-snip-

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/09/business/disney-ceo-florida-lgbtq-bill.html

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Disney C.E.O. Says Company Is 'Opposed' to Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Bill (Original Post) Eugene Mar 2022 OP
"BOTH sides of the aisles?" What a fucking crock!! 50 Shades Of Blue Mar 2022 #1
"Both sides," Disney? IngridsLittleAngel Mar 2022 #2
So what's the real reason he wouldn't address the issue in public? Irish_Dem Mar 2022 #3
 

IngridsLittleAngel

(1,962 posts)
2. "Both sides," Disney?
Wed Mar 9, 2022, 09:12 PM
Mar 2022

Fuck you, Mouse. There are not "both sides." This is "You're either a bigot and a fascist," or "You stand for human rights."

Stand for nothing, or fall for anything.

Maybe it's time for you to fall, Disney.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Showbiz»Disney C.E.O. Says Compan...