Disney employees are showing their outrage over the entertainment company's decision not to denounce Florida's so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill, which would limit discussion of sexuality and gender in Florida schools.
The Florida Senate passed the bill Tuesday, and it now goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis's desk. It's the latest effort by Republican lawmakers to remove the teaching of LGBTQ issues from schools.
Florida's Senate bill reads, "A school district may not encourage classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in primary grade levels," according to the text.
Ben Siemon, an actor and writer whose credits include Disney's DuckTales, posted an impassioned video plea calling for Disney to say the bill is wrong.
Siemon credits one of his middle school teachers for helping him understand that it was OK to be gay. Had there been a bill like the one being considered in Florida, Siemon says, "That would've never happened to me. I would've been left alone and scared. And LGBT kids are going to be left alone and scared and hurt by this bill."
Siemon implored the company to stop supporting those politicians, ending with the words, "Disney, please say gay."
According to the accountability news site Popular Information, "in the last two years, Disney has donated $197,162 to members of the Florida legislature that have already voted for the 'Don't Say Gay' legislation," including to sponsors of the bill, Florida Rep. Joe Harding (R) and state Sen. Dennis Baxley (R).
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