These employees (“cast members,” in the language of the company) mostly work within the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments and LGBTQ+ BERGs (Business Employee Resource Groups). These extravagant displays of humility and repentance were precipitated by the passage of Florida bill HB1557, the media blitzkrieg surrounding it, and especially, internal pressure from a small subset of Disney employees. 1× Josh D’Amaro statement, March 2nd, 2022. As an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, this breaks my heart and I want you to know that I hear you, I stand with you and I support you.” Latondra Newton, Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, declared, “I believe it is important to reaffirm our Disney values and our long-standing commitment to inclusion.” Understandably, many of you feel betrayed, angry and even heartbroken. The legislation being considered in the state of Florida, and being considered in other states, it's concerning, and it's painful to our LGBTQ+ cast, allies, and many in our community.” In a company-wide email, Ken Potrock, president of Disneyland Resort, chimed in: “I, too, have heard from many of you about your disappointment in the company concerning this divisive and discriminatory legislation. In an internal video sent to Disney employees, Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, announced: “We hear you, we see you, and we value you. You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down.

It is clear that this is not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights. Speaking to you, reading your messages, and meeting with you have helped me better understand how painful our silence was. Thank you to all who have reached out to me sharing your pain, frustration and sadness over the company’s response to the Florida “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

On March 11th, Disney’s CEO Bob Chapek released a statement which began like this: To my fellow colleagues, but especially our LGBTQ+ community, The declarations from Disney’s executive leadership have been agonizing and predictable, remarkable only for their robotic conformity.

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