LGBTQIA+ Cast Members were behind the push for 100% of profits from this year’s Disney Pride Collection to be donated to LGBTQIA+ organizations through June 20, 2022.
After it was discovered that Disney had donated to every sponsor of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida, CEO Bob Chapek bumbled his response. He finally denounced the bill after it passed the Florida senate (it has since been signed into law by Governor DeSantis). Chapek and other leaders in The Walt Disney Company went on a listening tour to speak to Cast Members in the LGBTQIA+ community. They also formed a task force “to develop action plans to make more LGBT-aware content for children and family.”
We’re starting to see the results of this listening tour and task force this Pride Month. Eli Levin, manager of Diversity of Equity & Inclusion for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, wrote on Disney Parks Blog about how the LGBTQIA+ “BERGs” — Business Employee Resource Groups — at Disney partnered with the company to prepare for Pride Month. They provided “insight, authenticity, and thoughtful representation of the LGBTQIA+ community, connecting to the business in creating new experiences for guests.”
In addition to the Disney Pride Collection, LGBTQIA+ Cast Members contributed insight to the Pride Month food and beverage offerings, PhotoPass and digital offerings, and special touches throughout Disney Parks. This includes the use of the progressive pride flag added to the Purple Wall at Magic Kingdom and other locations. The progressive pride flag includes black and brown stripes to represent LGBTQIA+ people of color; and pink, white, and light blue stripes to represent transgender people. It encourages an even more inclusive community and helps highlight the unique struggles people of color and trans people face.
Levin wrote, “These enhancements in our parks to celebrate Pride Month are important to demonstrate the importance of showing people that they belong, that they matter, and that Disney is a safe space to visit. Ensuring that members of the LGBTQIA+ community are part of those decisions and discussions is critical to ensuring that the offerings are authentic and thoughtful.”
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