Disney Dilemma.
“With some workers across the U.S. threatening a walkout Tuesday, The Walt Disney Co. finds itself in a balancing act between the expectations of a diverse workforce and demands from an increasingly polarized, politicized marketplace.
On the one side are LGBTQ advocates and Disney employees calling for a walkout in protest of CEO Bob Chapek’s slow response in publicly criticizing Florida legislation that opponents dubbed as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The legislation awaiting the governor’s signature bars instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.
On the other are politicians like Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who accuse the entertainment conglomerate of bending to cancel culture after a Disney decision to temporarily suspend political contributions in the state. According to Disney’s conservative critics, the company should be in the business of making profits, not pushing an agenda.”
Media savvy is part of the job. Period. The largest entertainment company in the World knows that, everyone in the company except its embattled CEO that is. A red hot social issue that has just bubbled to the surface, namely the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill that is headed for Florida Gov. DeSantis’ desk and is causing a firestorm of controversy in the state and at Disney. On the one hand the Florida Governor is trying to drum up support from his homophobic hard right base ahead of 2024 White House run which is running head long into broader societal acceptance of LGBTQ+ Americans. Corporate America long ago embraced equal rights for the Queer community but garnering extreme right wing votes is still more important for Republicans in Post Trump America.
