Home | WebMail | Register or Login

      Calgary | Regions | Local Traffic Report | Advertise on Action News | Contact

Login

Login

Please fill in your credentials to login.

Don't have an account? Register Sign up now.

Posted: 2022-03-28T18:52:19Z | Updated: 2022-03-28T19:42:54Z

The Walt Disney Company said that it would help repeal Floridas Dont Say Gay bill on Monday the same day that the states Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, signed the bill into law .

In a statement posted on its social media platforms, Disney condemned the controversial legislation, which is formally known as the Parental Rights in Education bill.

Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts, and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to achieve that, the statement read . We are dedicated to standing up for the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ members of the Disney family, as well as the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and across the country.

One of Floridas largest employers, Disney has faced a barrage of criticism in recent weeks after CEO Bob Chapek announced that the company would stay neutral on the Dont Say Gay bill, which largely forbids instruction on sexuality and gender identity in most elementary school classrooms. He also confirmed that Disney had made financial contributions to both Democratic and Republican lawmakers who have subsequently taken positions on both sides of the legislation.

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost

Many Disney employees and fans said they were outraged by Chapeks remarks, arguing that they made the companys attempts at LGBTQ-inclusive films, television and theme park merchandising feel like superficial cash grabs. Just days later, Chapek walked back many of his remarks and announced that Disney would pause all of its political donations in Florida to ensure our advocacy better reflects our values.

Whether Disneys vow to help repeal the legislation will silence its critics remains to be seen, but its clear the Florida bill and others like it will remain a contentious subject in Hollywood.

Earlier this month, actor Gabrielle Union expressed her frustration over Chapeks initial reticence on the subject while walking the red carpet at the premiere of her latest film, Cheaper by the Dozen, which is produced by Disney. Last week, Disney employees staged 15-minute walkouts as part of a collective effort to urge the company to protect employees and their families in the face of such open and unapologetic bigotry.

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost

And on Sunday night, Academy Awards co-hosts Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes each said the word gay multiple times in their opening monologue, a thinly veiled jab at the controversy that was particularly notable since the Oscars are broadcast by ABC, a Disney subsidiary.

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost