The Walt Disney Company has been blasted for its response to the law.
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- A Disney heir who came out as transgender has spoken out about Florida’s “Don’t say gay” law.
- Charlee Corra Disney said the law will hurt transgender children in Florida.
- The Walt Disney Company received criticism for its delayed response to the legislation.
A Disney heir who publicly came out as transgender recently has criticized Florida’s new “Don’t say gay” law, as the corporation their great grandfather helped to found continues to attract criticism over its initial silence on the legislation.
The Washington Post reported that Charlee Corra Disney, whose great-grandfather was Walt Disney’s brother, businessman Roy O. Disney, is a 30-year-old science teacher who uses “they/them” pronouns. On the issue of supporting LGBTQ causes, Disney told the Los Angeles Times, “I felt like I could be doing more.” The Disney heir’s public statements come at a time when the company their great-grandfather co-founded has attracted widespread criticism over its handling of the “Don’t say gay” law.
The vaguely-worded legislation bars educators from speaking about gender or sexual orientation with kids in kindergarten through third grade. The Sunshine State’s governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law on March 28. Advocates have voiced concerns that the new law discriminates against LGBTQ children, as well as children with LGBTQ parents.
Charlee Corra Disney said their concern is focused on how the law will impact young LGBTQ children, who continue to face discrimination and the resulting mental health challenges in US society.
“Then to put something like this law on top of that?” Disney previously told the Los Angeles Times. “They can’t learn about their community and their history at school, or play sports or use the bathroom they want to use?”
The Walt Disney Company, which maintains a huge workforce in Florida, has been roundly critiqued for its response to the law. Well into March, the entertainment giant remained silent about the bill, spurring worker protests. Eventually, CEO Bob Chapek apologized for the company’s response, saying, “You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. I am sorry.” Disney then halted all political donations in the state of Florida. The company did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.
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