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Some Disney employees stage walkout in protest of Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill

Disney Walkout
Posted at 10:34 AM, Mar 22, 2022
and last updated 2022-03-22 17:52:42-04

A small amount of Disney's overall workforce walked off the job Tuesday in protest of Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill.

According to ABC News, more than 100 employees in different parts of the company took part in the protest.

The NBC affiliate in Orlando said there didn't appear to be any disruptions at Disney-owned theme parks in the area due to the protests. The network only spotted one protester outside Disney World.

The protester was holding a sign that said, "Trans Rights are Human Rights."

Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill bans the teaching “sexual orientation or gender identity” in kindergarten through third grade. It would also allow parents to sue school districts if they believe the policy is violated. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the bill.

LGBTQ employees and their allies are upset Disney didn't do more to fight back against the bill.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek has apologized to employees for largely remaining silent as the bill made its way through the legislature.

"You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. I am sorry," he said.

Chapek told shareholders that they "were opposed to the bill from the outset" but did not speak out publicly about it "because we thought we could be more effective working behind the scenes, engaging directly with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle," according to CNBC.com and NPR.

Disney has paused political donations in Florida and is “increasing our support for advocacy groups to combat similar legislation in other states," according to Chapek.