Disney CEO forms task force, promises listening tour in response to LGBTQ+ concerns

Disney CEO Bob Chapek told employees on Monday that the company made a mistake by standing silent on Florida legislation. The law enforces restricting classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity. Disney promises to use the incident as a springboard for change.

Disney employees made the remarks at a virtual town hall during a period of internal struggle at the corporation, when the company adjusted its public stance against the legislation, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by critics.

A group of Disney employees organized a week of walkouts to demand that the company safeguard its LGBTQ+ employees, their families, and their communities. On Tuesday, there will be a one-day walkout.

“We know the moment requires urgency – and words are not enough,” said Chapek. It is as per a recording of his remarks obtained by Reuters. “So we are taking some actions right now.”

According to three executives who listened to his presentation at the town hall, Disney’s top human resources officer, Paul Richardson, said the firm canceled a leadership meeting in Orlando and a planned diversity event for April 13 so executives could spend their time listening to employees.

Disney said that Chapek and his senior leaders will go on a worldwide listening tour and visit with employees in the United States and throughout the world.

Disney has also announced the formation of an LGBTQ+ task group. Paul Roeder, the Studios’ senior vice president of communications, and also Lisa Becket, the Studios’ senior vice president of global marketing for Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products will oversee it.

The task group will gather the assistance of specialists to produce a clear plan to ensure that Disney is “a force for good” for LGBTQ+ communities, particularly children and families, according to the business.

Disney being Woke?

The company reaffirmed its pledge to stop making political contributions in Florida. It said it would back the Human Rights Campaign in its fight against Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order. It requires the state’s child welfare agency to treat gender-affirming medical treatments as “child abuse.”

Benjamin Siemon, a gay Disney TV animation writer, praised the executives’ apology for their handling of the legislation.

“That means a lot. That was the right thing to do,” Siemon said in a video posted on Twitter.

Employees, on the other hand, were concerned that Disney might continue political payments to lawmakers who backed the bill. Then, they requested the business to make the suspension permanent.

Disney has allegations of being “woke” by Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis because the firm publicly opposed the measure amid employee outcry.

“You’re going to be called woke no matter what you do, Disney,” animation writer Siemon likewise said.

“You put Minnie Mouse in a pantsuit for one month in Paris and now you are being called woke. Be woke by owning it, doing the right thing for your employees.”

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