Amid Backlash, Disney Makes Interesting Statement on “Don’t Say Gay” Bill

With events such as Disney Gay Days, Pride Month celebrations, and some new LGBTQ+ characters in recent Disney movies, it has been surprising not to see The Walt Disney Company address a recent controversial issue.

While Disney has focused recently on inclusivity within its Disney Parks and entertainment portfolio, it has been scrutinized for its silence regarding a new bill in Florida restricting conversations about gender and LGBTQ+ identities in schools.

Known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and passed at the end of February, the bill has highlighted that Disney funded some of the politicians rooting for it. To explain the bill further, the NPR writes:

The legislation prohibits any instruction about sexuality or gender between kindergarten and third grade “or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”

Now, Disney has finally released a statement regarding the Florida bill, albeit with a somewhat neutral stance.

With so much focus on inclusivity at Disney, it has been interesting to not see any comments from the company about the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

As reported by the Orlando Sentinel, it was revealed that Disney had backed the sponsors of the Florida bill, which, of course, sparked outrage among the LGBTQ+ community. Ocala Republican Dennis Baxley was one of these sponsors funded by Disney, a politician who controversially compared children with same-sex parents to children raised by alcoholics and abusers.

The intense backlash to Disney’s involvement in the bill involved protests this week at Disney contesting Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s silence on the matter.

Disney insiders told The Hollywood Reporter that Chapek, unlike his predecessor Bob Iger who condemned the bill, is unwilling to take a stance on”Don’t Say Gay.” Apparently, Chapek does not deem the issue irrelevant but that he doesn’t see a need to weigh in.

Credit: Disney

On March 3, 2022, Disney-owned Good Morning America announced on Twitter that Disney had finally released a statement about the bill, in a U-turn to Chapek’s seemingly apathetic approach to the controversy:

NEW: Disney responds to protests and calls for action surrounding Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill, saying in part, “The biggest impact we can have in creating a more inclusive world is through the inspiring content we produce.”

Disney’s statement, which focuses on its “content” and “culture”, is interestingly nuanced, and reads:

“We understand how important this issue is to our LGBTQ+ employees and many others. For nearly a century, Disney has been a unifying force that brings people together. We are determined that it remains a place where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The biggest impact we can have in creating a more inclusive world is through the inspiring content we produce, the welcoming culture we create here and the diverse community organizations we support, including those representing the LGBTQ+ community.”

Back in 2021, Disney added the Inclusion Key to its Cast Member basics. Disney Parks Cast Members work by Disney’s longstanding tradition of The Four Keys – Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency – which have guided the theme park company’s approach to Guest service for more than 65 years.

Now, it is known as the 5 Keys, with Inclusion seemingly at the center. Disney Parks Blog wrote back then:

Inclusion is essential to our culture and leads us forward as we continue to realize our rich legacy of engaging storytelling, exceptional service, and Disney magic.

We’re bringing the spirit of the Inclusion Key to life across our business. We’re reimagining our attractions to be more inclusive, like upcoming enhancements to Jungle Cruise and new adventures with Princess Tiana. We’re celebrating the diverse and inspiring stories of our cast and fans with creator collaborations and exciting experiences, like The Soul of Jazz exhibit at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney’s now dramatic shift from this strong sense of inclusivity to the current backlash is stirring many supporters of the LGBTQ+ community. 

We’ll keep you up to date with more information about this ongoing situation.