ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Disney workers are planning walkouts during their breaks every day this week to protest CEO Bob Chapek’s slow response in publicly criticizing Florida’s so-called Don’t Say Gay legislation.
The group of Disney employees said this week on their website that the act of protest will culminate next Tuesday with a general walkout by LGBTQ workers and their supporters at Disney worksites in California, Florida and elsewhere.
The Florida bill bars instruction on “sexual orientation or gender identity” in kindergarten through grade 3. It would also allow parents to sue school districts if they believe the policy is violated.
The bill has been sent to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it.
Chapek apologized to employees last week 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.
Chapek added that Disney is pausing political donations in Florida and “increasing our support for advocacy groups to combat similar legislation in other states."
