DisneyFriday’s statement by’s CEO stated that company would cease political donations in Florida as a result of the “Don’t Say Gay” law. He apologized for previous silences on this issue.

In a Friday statement, CEO Bob Chapek said that “You required me to be stronger in the fight for equality rights and I let down,” he wrote to his colleagues and to the LGBTQ+ community. “I am sorry.”

This statement was doubled on his support for the LGBTQ+ community at Wednesday’s company shareholder meeting.

The pressure on Chapek, Walt Disney Company and others this week was to not oppose the Parental Rights in Education Bill in Florida. This legislation was approved earlier in the week and prohibits sexual orientation or gender identity instruction in public schools from kindergarten to third grade.

The bill has been dubbed “Don’t Say Gay”, and criticised by those who feel it might cause harm to previously marginalized groups.

After activists discovered that Disney had provided financial support for certain state legislators’ backers, they targeted Disney.

Chapek stated Friday, too that Chapek is now reviewing the company’s approach to advocacy.

“I missed the mark in this case but am an ally you can count on — and I will be an outspoken champion for the protections, visibility, and opportunity you deserve,” Chapek said.

Diversity and inclusion are key elements of the entertainment company’s corporate policies. Many believed that the bill’s silence was an expression of itself.

Chapek stated that employees view the company’s power as an opportunity for good. “I agree. We need to be able to influence that good through telling inclusive stories but also standing up to protect the rights of everyone.

On Wednesday, Chapek informed shareholders that he had contacted Florida Governor. Ron DeSantis was contacted by Chapek and he wanted to meet to discuss the bill. CNBC was provided with a statement from DeSantis’s Office confirming that Chapek had called, but not stating that he had yet been scheduled to meet.

DeSantis (a Republican) also doubled down. DeSantis, a Republican, spoke out to Boca Raton supporters Thursday. He stated that there was “zero” chance that he would change his position. a video obtained by Fox News.

He stated, “You have companies such as Disney that are going say and criticize parent’s rights. They’re also going to criticize our refusal to allow transgenderism to be taught in kindergartens in the first grade classrooms.”

They’re sure to be buried on that hill. How can they justify their coffers with the Communist Party of China when they have a relationship? That’s because that’s their business, and they make lots of money. But they never mention the truly brutal CCP practices.

“So in Florida our policies had to be based upon the best interest Florida citizens and not on the thoughts of woke corporate executives,” he said.

The comments made by DeSantis about Disney’s relations with the Communist Party of China have been common criticisms of Disney in the past week. Disney was just one studio among many. suspend theatrical releases in Russia over the country’s invasion of Ukraine, but has not make similar overtures in China for the treatment of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang province, who are facing human rights abuses.

2020 Disney thanked government entities in XinjiangIn the credits of the live-action adaptation of Mulan, which was partly filmed in this province.