ORLANDO, Fla. — In a new email to employees, Disney CEO Bob Chapek has apologized for the company’s response to Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education bill, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, adding that the company is pausing political donations in the state.
What You Need To Know
- Disney CEO Bob Chapek has apologized for the company’s response to Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education bill, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, adding that the company is pausing political donations in the state
- This statement comes as Disney and Chapek received backlash for how the company initially handled its response to the bill by remaining silent
- The bill, which was passed this week, would ban discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in classrooms for kindergarten through third grade
“You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down,” Chapek said in the email sent Friday. “I am sorry.”
“I missed the mark in this case but am an ally you can count on—and I will be an outspoken champion for the protections, visibility, and opportunity you deserve.”
This new statement comes as Disney and Chapek received mounting backlash recently for how the company initially handled its response to the bill by remaining silent.
At Disney’s annual shareholders meeting, Chapek offered support to the LGBTQ+ community and, for the first time, publicly said the company opposed the bill.
“We were opposed to the bill from the outset, but we chose not to take a public position in it because we thought we could be more effective working behind-the-scenes, engaging directly with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle,” Chapek said Wednesday.
The bill, which was passed this week, would ban discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in classrooms for kindergarten through third grade.
Chapek also announced a donation to the Human Rights Campaign, which responded by declining the money until the company took “meaningful action” against the legislation.