AHF: Disney Opposition to ‘Don’t Say Gay,’ a Step in Right Direction

AHF calls news that Disney CEO Bob Chapek finally spoke out against Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill in a call with FL Gov. Ron DeSantis today “a step in the right direction, but vows AHF will keep close watch”

For the past week, LGBTQ+ advocates and supporters spearheaded protests in Orlando and at Walt Disney Company headquarters in Burbank urging Disney to speak out against homophobic bill

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AHF is calling news that embattled Disney CEO Bob Chapek finally spoke out against the hateful ‘Don’t Say Gay’ legislation pending in Florida (FL HB1557 and SB1834) a step in the right direction, but vows to keep vigilant watch on Disney and the Florida legislation as the bill works its way toward becoming signed into law.

News broke today at Disney’s annual AGM (held virtually) when CEO Bob Chapek revealed that he reached out directly in a call to Governor Ron DeSantis to express Disney’s “… disappointment and concern that if the legislation becomes law, it could be used to target [LGBTQ+] kids and families. The governor heard our concerns. He agreed to meet with me and LGBTQ+ members of our senior team in Florida to discuss ways to address that.”

Over the past week, AHF spearheaded protests targeting Disney in Orlando and Burbank, CA with hundreds of LGBTQ+ advocates and supporters. AHF also produced a TV spot urging Disney to speak out publicly and loudly to oppose the legislation. AHF’s 30-second spot is running on Orlando stations WOFL (FOX), WKMG (CBS), WESH (NBC) and WFTV (ABC). However, the TV spot was rejected or censored by the Disney-owned KABC-TV7 in Los Angeles.

“This is clearly a step in the right direction, and we commend Mr. Chapek for finally speaking out against ‘Don’t Say Gay’ directly to and with Governor DeSantis,” said Mike Kahane, AHF Southern Bureau Chief. “That said, it took a huge amount of public pressure to get Disney to act. We will be watching and urge Governor DeSantis to NOT sign this hateful and discriminatory legislation.”

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1.7 million clients in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare