Employees Including Raven-Symoné Walk Out To Protest Disney Response To Florida Bill

Topline

Disney employees across the country staged a full-day walkout Tuesday in response to the company’s “lack of action” and “apathy” over Florida’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill, as portions of the company released statements in support of the LGBTQ community.

Participants from the Walt Disney Company march in London Pride 2019.

getty

Key Facts

It is not clear how many employees across Disney’s studios, corporate offices, theme parks and other businesses participated in the walkout, especially because many employees are working remotely.

A group of roughly 75 employees protested near Disney’s studios in Burbank, Calif., shouting “Disney say gay! We won’t go away!,” according to Variety, and over 100 employees gathered in front of the Disney Animation Studios Building, according to a photo shared on Twitter.

Actress Raven-Symoné, who rose to fame on Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven and is gay, posted a video on Instagram showing herself and the stars of the Disney show Raven’s Home participating in the walkout.

The walkout was organized by a group of LGBTQ Disney employees and allies, Disney Do Better, who announced a “series of collective actions” last week leading up to Tuesday’s protest, which was scheduled to last between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

As various sectors of Disney’s business, like Walt Disney World, Hulu, ESPN and Disney+ issued social media statements in support of the LGBTQ community and employees, Disney Do Better tweeted that they “support these messages” and the statements “were tirelessly advocated for by our own LGBTQIA+ co-workers to show support today.”

Forbes has reached out to The Walt Disney Company for comment.

Big Number

Over 200,000. That’s how many employees The Walt Disney Company has.

Contra

Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California posted a statement on Instagram saying it “oppose[es] any legislation that infringes on basic human rights” and “stand[s] in solidarity with” LQBTQ employees. ESPN tweeted it “denounce[s] legislation and actions across the United States that infringe on any human rights.” Similar statements were also released by Disney+, Hulu and ABC.

Key Background

Florida’s Parental Rights Education Bill, or the Don’t Say Gay bill as it’s called by critics, restricts how gender identity and sexual orientation can be discussed in schools, and bans the subjects from kindergarten to third grade. It was passed in both the state’s house and senate, but has not yet been signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). Disney had previously donated to every lawmaker who sponsored the bill, according to the Orlando Sun Sentinel. CEO Bob Chapek and the company remained neutral on the bill at first, despite Disney’s substantial presence in Florida. As outrage at Disney’s inaction grew, Chapek apologized for the company’s silence, and announced an immediate pause of all political donations. Last week, Disney Do Better released their list of demands, including that Disney “indefinitely cease” all political donations to politicians who have supported the bill, as well as making a donation to human rights groups, allowing employees to relocate out of Florida and stopping construction and investments in the state while the “hateful” legislation continues.

Tangent

Some Disney talent have criticized the company’s response to the Don’t Say Gay bill. Actress Gabrielle Union said she was more than disappointed in Disney while attending the premiere of her new Disney+ show last week. ESPN commentators Carolyn Peck, Courtney Lyle and Elle Duncan spoke out in solidarity with the movement on-air last week.

What To Watch For

Chapek has not commented on the walkout publicly, and has not yet agreed to—or declined—the group’s demands.