Courtney Balcombe

Creative Editor

clb6264@psu.edu

Earlier this month, Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill passed through their Senate. The passing of this bill in Florida means that “the classroom discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity” would be prohibited. Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, has expressed his intent on signing the bill into law.

According to fortune.com, this bill has rocked the Walt Disney Company, one of the state’s largest employers, with workers who are members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community protesting what they deem to be the company’s insufficient response.

When the bill originally came to legislation, Disney CEO Bob Chapek had declined to comment, which left his employees criticizing the company for previously providing funding to state politicians who supported the bill. However, he did recently speak up for the Disney employees in a statement responding to the criticism.

“Speaking to you, reading your messages, and meeting with you have helped me better understand how painful our silence was,” Chapek said. “It is clear that this is not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights. You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. I am sorry.”

Chapek continued, “Starting immediately, we are increasing our support for advocacy groups to combat similar legislation in other states. We are hard at work creating a new framework for our political giving that will ensure our advocacy better reflects our values. And today, we are pausing all political donations in the state of Florida pending this review.”

While the Disney employees did appreciate Chapek for speaking up and halting Disney’s funding to Florida’s politicians, they believe there is still more that needs to be done. The employees have also announced a series of protests leading up to a full walkout on March 22 along with a list of steps for the Walt Disney Company must take to “regain trust of the LGBTQ+ community and employees.”

Of course, financially speaking it may become difficult for Florida’s politicians to continue funding their political campaigns, but Disney has done the right thing in supporting their own employees over political gain. If anything, more can be done but a single company can only do so much on its own.

Florida still has support from some areas of the public to pass the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. However, it will only lead future LGBTQ+ members to be confused and not understand their gender and/or sexuality.

Without the proper teaching of gender/sexuality, it could add to future discrimination and misunderstanding for all students unless they do know someone in the LGBTQ+ community to ask for help.

Disney has made a good start in stopping their financial support to these politicians. However, their employees have created a list of demands requesting Disney to continue their support once the “Don’t Say Gay” bill is signed.

The demands range from stopping current projects in Florida to stopping efforts to move employees to Florida office locations and guaranteeing that “no employee will be terminated when denying relocation” to Florida.

While there is still much to do to show support to those against the bill, this is still a good starting point for the LGBTQ+ community.