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Disney CEO Bob Chapek addresses company's silence over Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill, sparks #BoycottDisney
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People are calling to #BoycottDisney following the company's response to Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill, which would remove discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.
On March 7, Disney CEO Bob Chapek sent a lengthy email to employees to address the concerns of LGBTQ+ staff over the company’s public silence on the legislation, namely the lack of condemnation. The company is also taking heat for continuing to donate money to statewide elected officials who supported the bill, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“I want to be crystal clear: I and the entire leadership team unequivocally stand in support of our LGBTQ+ employees, their families, and their communities. And, we are committed to creating a more inclusive company — and world,” Chapek wrote. .“We all share the same goal of a more tolerant, respectful world. Where we may differ is in the tactics to get there. And because this struggle is much bigger than any one bill in any one state, I believe the best way for our company to bring about lasting change is through the inspiring content we produce, the welcoming culture we create, and the diverse community organizations we support.”
Chapek said the company’s new chief corporate affairs officer, Geoff Morrell, would be “reassessing our advocacy strategies around the world—including political giving," but while acknowledging Disney's hand in funding political figures, Chapek maintained that "corporate statements do very little to change outcomes or minds," and "Instead, they are often weaponized by one side or the other to further divide and inflame. Simply put, they can be counterproductive and undermine more effective ways to achieve change.”
The boycott doesn't seem to have lost steam after his email, but most people don't realize just how much a boycott would entail. The Walt Disney Company was founded in 1923, by brothers Walt and Roy O. Disney. Since then, it's become one of the biggest companies around the world. The company launched Disney+, a video on-demand streaming service, which pushed the company into new territory, and even makes them a worthy competitor to Netflix. You might not know it, but Disney actually already owns some of the biggest companies in the world. Click on to see just how powerful this company is.
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