On Tuesday, employees of the Walt Disney Company staged a walkout over CEO Bob Chapek’s response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The controversial legislation is meant to ban lessons on gender identity and sexual orientation at elementary schools.
The walkout was organized by a group of LGBTQ Disney employees and allies, Disney Do Better, who announced a “series of collective actions” last week leading up to Tuesday’s protest.
This week, the group and cause received support from some popular Disney stars.
Oscar Isaac, who stars in the anticipated Disney+ series Moon Knight, told Variety, "I guess my comment [on the bill] would be, [singing] 'Gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gayyyyyy!' Yeah, it's an absolutely ridiculous law. It's insane. It's insanity. And I hope that Disney as a company comes out as forcefully as possible against this idea. It's astounding that it even exists in this country."
Meanwhile, Raven-Symoné and the cast of the Disney Channel show “Raven’s Home,” which is currently airing on the network took to the streets and to the gram to protest against the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Symoné, who identifies as a part of the LGBTQ+ community, posted a video on Instagram showing herself and the stars of the Disney show participating in the walkout.
"In support of our LGBTQ+ family and all of those who will be damaged by the 'don't say gay bill' we the cast of Ravens Home are walking out," she captioned the post.
"In todays world it is imperative that we take stands, show support, and move forward not backwards. Every family every person and every child deserves to be recognized no matter their race, gender, or sexual orientation. Education that reflects the truth and the world we live in is something we must fight for."
Other stars publicly backing the employee protests include celebs like actress Kerry Washington, Marvel actor Mark Ruffalo, and comedian Larry Wilmore.
Amid the countrywide walkouts on Tuesday, various divisions in association with the Walt Disney Company shared messages of solidarity with protesters on their official social media accounts.
We stand with our LGBTQIA+ colleagues, storytellers, families, friends, and fans who are targeted by laws that marginalize and diminish their identities and lives. We remain committed to telling inclusive stories that unite us and celebrate the diverse LGBTQIA+ community.
— Hulu (@hulu) March 22, 2022
— Disney+ (@disneyplus) March 22, 2022
ESPN believes in inclusivity and denounces legislation and actions across the United States that infringe on any human rights. We stand with our LGBTQIA+ colleagues, friends, families, and fans.
— ESPN (@espn) March 22, 2022
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