VIDEOS & PHOTOS: Employees Hold Walkouts Due to Disney’s Response to “Don’t Say Gay” Bill

Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill has flooded headlines recently, particularly as it relates to Disney’s response to the situation.

New Pride Pins

Disney issued an initial response, which was then followed by a memo from Disney CEO Bob Chapek. That was then followed by statements from Chapek during the shareholder meeting, an apology from Chapek, and further comments. We previously shared that some Disney employees had been planning walkouts for today, March 22nd, and we shared an updated look at those walkouts this morning. Now, we’ve got photos, videos, and more information of what took place.

The Bill at issue is Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, or what critics have termed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. According to the Wall Street Journal, the “Florida bill prohibits instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten to third grade and in later grades if not ‘age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.’”

To see more about this Bill, what proponents and critics say, and more details about responses from Disney, Disney leaders, and others — click here

As planned, some Disney employees did ultimately participate in the walkouts today. Steve Desaulniers, a field producer at CNBC, posted a video on Twitter of “hundreds of Disney employees” walking out from the Company’s headquarters in Burbank, California.

Ryan Faughnder, a film business reporter for the Los Angeles Times, also posted some updates on Twitter about Disney employee walkouts. In one post, Faughnder noted that there were people gathered outside of the Disney Animation building in Burbank, California in protest of Disney’s handling of the situation surrounding the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Faughnder shared an image of a Mickey Mouse Pride Plush that some were carrying with the sign “I’m walking out too.”

Faughnder also shared a video of part of the walkouts. You can see those images and video below.

In another post on Twitter, Faughnder shared images of the walkouts, with individuals standing before the large “The Walt Disney Co.” entrance.

©Ryan Faughnder via Twitter (@RFaughnder)

Disney Animator Rebecca Perez also shared a post to her Twitter about the walkouts at Disney Animation Studios. In the post, she noted that it was a full day Disney walkout and that they were supporting their fellow Florida co-workers and LGBTQIA+ community.

Based on another post on her Twitter, it appears a 15-minute walkout also took place a few days ago.

Over on the east coast, Amanda Dukes, a reporter at WESH TV, shared a photo of a protestor outside Disney at Hotel Plaza Blvd.

Reggie Aqui, an ABC7 News Anchor, shared that he chose to stay, rather than participate directly in the walkouts, in part, to “amplify [the] message.” In his message, Aqui shared that today is an opportunity for Disney to say “gay.” Aqui said that when they didn’t feel like the Company was adequately supporting them (referring to the LGBTQ+ community), they were shocked. Aqui said that this is the reaction to this shock, and the chance for Disney to do better.

You can hear more about what Aqui had to say about the situation below.

We’re continuing to watch for more updates about news of other Disney employee walkouts and will update this post with any further information. Note that the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill has been passed by the Florida legislature, and is expected to be signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Stay tuned for more news.

Click here to see more about the situation surrounding the Florida Bill and Disney’s Response

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The post VIDEOS & PHOTOS: Employees Hold Walkouts Due to Disney’s Response to “Don’t Say Gay” Bill first appeared on the disney food blog.