On Monday, Bob Chapek, the CEO of Disney, declared to employees that the company had made a mistake by remaining largely silent on Florida’s recent legislation regarding public school education.
According to the bill, teachers will be prohibited from discussing sexual orientation, gender identity, and other adult topics with kindergarteners and other elementary students.
The Disney CEO, amongst other Disney employees, have since argued that such a bill is discriminatory against the LGBTQ community.
Consequently, during a recent virtual town hall for Disney employees, the CEO decided to abruptly shift Disney’s public position regarding sexual orientation legislation.
The CEO’s shift in position emerged after multiple Disney employees staged a massive walkout, allegedly due to the the company failing to “protect” its LGBTQ staff, as well as their respective families and communities.
An additional walkout is planned for March 22.
“We know the moment requires urgency, and words are not enough,” Chapek boomed.
“So we are taking some actions right now,” Chapek continued, specifically referencing Florida’s legislation.
As part of the “actions” taken by Disney, the company has cancelled a meeting for the leadership team in Orlando. Instead, the company will now hold yet another diversity event on April 13, which will enable Disney executives to listen to employees’ concerns over discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in Florida.
In addition, Chapek will apparently embark on a “global listening tour,” per Newsmax, where he will meet with various employees of Disney around the country and around the world.
On top of the listening tour, an LGBTQ task force will also be established, which will ostensibly serve as “a force for good.”
