Disney Employees Plan Full Day Walkout Over Company's Handling of "Don't Say Gay" Bill

The Florida Senate and House of Representatives recently passed the Parental Rights in Education bill, more commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. It is now on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s desk, and he is expected to sign it into law, according to NBC.

Pride Banners in Disney Springs

Disney — one of the largest employers in Florida — did not comment on the bill until after it had passed in the House of Representatives. Many Walt Disney Company employees who are part of or advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community have criticized Disney’s lack of action in response to the bill. To protest the company’s inaction, some employees staged walkouts during break times. But today there is expected to be a much larger walkout, with employees participating in many different parts of the Walt Disney Company.

After the “Don’t Say Gay” bill passed in the House of Representatives, Disney CEO Bob Chapek sent a memo to Disney employees apologizing for the lack of response by Disney leadership. He stated that he did “not want anyone to mistake a lack of a statement for a lack of support.” Despite this and other measures by the Walt Disney Company to address the controversy with employees, many feel that more action is required.

Pride pins in Disney World

According to a website created by Disney employees called whereischapek.com, “The recent statements and lack of action by the Walt Disney Company leadership regarding the ‘Don’t Say Gay or Trans’ bill have utterly failed to match the magnitude of the threat to LGBTQIA+ safety represented by this legislation.” To draw attention to the issue and demand further action, employees have planned walkouts. These began as short walkouts during break time, but a large-scale walkout is scheduled for today, March 22nd, from 8AM to 6PM EST.

The Pride Mickey Marshmallow

Employees participating in the walkout have listed several demands for the Walt Disney Company, including an immediate and indefinite stop to donations for certain politicians involved with the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, an actionable plan to protect employees from hateful legislation, more advocacy for certain LGBTQIA+ organizations, and the creation of an LGBTQIA+ brand similar to “The Onyx Collective.”

Share Your Pride wall

Our reporters in the Disney World parks today have not noticed a large-scale walkout yet, and Union leaders at the Walt Disney Company have said that they don’t expect a large number of Disney World Cast Members to participate. According to KCBD, “Union leaders said they had advised their members not to participate because their contract prohibits work stoppages or disruptions.”

Cast Members

One leader said, “I don’t want to downplay anyone’s efforts, if someone feels what they are doing is the right way to make an impact. We aren’t part of that. It would violate our contract if members of our union participated, though we are concerned about the issue, of course.”

According to KCBD, “One of the organizers of the walkout, a New York-based employee, said they were expecting more participation from Disney workers in production, marketing, IT and other desk jobs than those in hourly, union jobs.”

Cast Members

The Orange County Register noted that some effects of the walkout could still be felt in the Disney theme parks, even though the walkout is “unlikely to result in employee protests in the ‘on stage’ areas of the parks.” Some employees may call in sick as part of the walkout, which “could result in longer than usual lines for attractions and food stands.” The Register also said that “in extreme instances, some rides and restaurants could be closed for the day due to the walkout,” although existing labor shortages resulting from the coronavirus pandemic could also contribute to these problems.

We could see longer lines in the parks.

USA Today stated that employees from around the Walt Disney Company were invited to participate in the walkout, including those at Disney World, Disneyland, ABC, National Geographic, Hulu, Walt Disney Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, LucasFilm, 20th Century Fox, and more divisions.

We’ll continue to follow this developing story, so keep following AllEars for more of the latest news.