Disney CEO Bob Chapek said the company won’t take a formal position on a pending Florida law prohibiting discussion of sexual orientation in schools, a departure from past actions.
Chapek said in a letter to staff that he met Friday with lesbian, gay and transgender employees to discuss the legislation. The letter was distributed to the media Monday.
“I and the entire leadership team unequivocally stand in support of our LGBTQ+ employees, their families, and their communities,” Chapek said. “We are committed to creating a more inclusive company – and world.”
Chapek suggested Disney won’t be making political statements in the future because such positions can be detrimental to the overall goal that advocates may be trying to achieve. Disney is one of the largest employers in Florida, thanks to its Orlando theme parks.
“Corporate statements do very little to change outcomes or minds,” Chapek wrote. “Instead, they are often weaponized by one side or the other to further divide and inflame.”
Chapek is two years into the job of leading the world’s largest entertainment company, but he’s only recently emerged fully from the shadow of his predecessor, Bob Iger, who retired as chairman in December. Disney has largely a new leadership team, including a head of communications, Geoff Morrell, who will be reassessing the company’s political giving and advocacy strategy around the world, Chapek said.
Disney has taken positions on controversial legislation in the past. In 2016, the company said it might halt film production in Georgia if the state passed a bill allowing faith-based organizations to deny services to gay people. That bill was vetoed by the governor amid a surge of corporate denunciations.
Three years later, Iger said it would be difficult for the company to get filmmakers to work in Georgia if the state passed a law that restricted access to abortion. Other Hollywood studios followed in speaking out about the law, which was blocked by a federal judge.
Disney took a stand last week against Russia after that country’s invasion of the Ukraine. The company halted new film releases in Russia, a move all other major studios followed.
Chapek said Disney’s efforts to create a more inclusive world will be better served through its film and TV output, citing recent movies like “Encanto” and “Black Panther,” as well TV series, such as “Modern Family.”
