Amid reports from Variety that LGBTQIA+ employees are planning in-person and virtual walkouts this week in response to The Walt Disney Company and CEO Bob Chapek’s handling of the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” in Florida, Marvel Studios posted a statement. The statement bluntly condemns the legislation as infringing on the fundamental human rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
Although it’s easy to be harsh on Marvel Studios, it has done small things to move queer representation forward in genre film and television—and thanks to people like the Visionary Award honoree at the Outfest Legacy Awards, Victoria Alonso, president of physical and post-production, visual effects and animation production for Marvel Studios and many of the other talented LGBTQ+ people at the entertainment company. So on March 15th, Marvel Studios, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company, released its own statement condemning the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” in Florida.
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“We strongly denounce any and all legislation that infringes on the basic human rights of the LGBTQIA+ community,” the statement reads. “Marvel Studios stands for hope, inclusivity, and strength; and we proudly stand with the community. Today, we pledge to continue our strong commitment as allies who promote the values of equality, acceptance, and respect.”
For LGBTQ+ Marvel and Disney fans and allies, there are still many queer creators who put their blood, sweat, and tears into their creative work at Disney and its subsidiaries. Plenty of queer cast members work at the theme parks, so tip them to show you care—insist three times, and the cast member at the Food & Wine Festival can say, “Yes!” or let Town Hall know how special they made the trip. For Marvel fans, purchase a copy of the latest LGBTQIA+ penned comic book series to show Marvel Comics editor Sarah Brunstad how much her work at the publisher has meant to you, or watch Disney+’s Loki and marvel at how far some aspects of the MCU have come. The list goes on!
Disney and CEO Bob Chapek Initially Stayed Silent
Joshua Sudock/Disney Parks
When the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” first passed in Florida, Disney decided to stay silent about the impact of the legislation on LGBTQIA+ youth. However, in a private e-mail to employees, Chapek said, “As we have seen time and again, corporate statements do very little to change outcomes or minds. Instead, they are often weaponized by one side or the other to further divide and inflame. Simply put, they can be counterproductive and undermine more effective ways to achieve change,” which apparently was reconfirming its commitment to making diverse content.
However, when news broke of Disney’s extensive political donations, shareholder backlash forced the company to make a statement at its annual investor meeting. Despite many LGBTQ+ advocates, human rights organizations, and cast members calling on Disney and Chapek to publically say something earlier, it was the day after Disney shareholders – you know, the people with the money – demanded that Disney hold Florida accountable for its harmful legislation that Chapek finally tried to set up a meeting with Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to CNBC.
The company has pledged $5 million to organizations working to protect LGTBQ+ rights and has indefinitely stopped all political donations to Florida. In addition, Chapek sent employees another e-mail apologizing for not commenting on the bill initially, saying, “It is clear that this is not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights. You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights, and I let you down. I am sorry.”
