Marvel Studios Denounces Anti-LGBTQ Legislation Amid Controversy Surrounding Parent Company Disney
Marvel Studios released a statement denouncing anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation, a week after its parent company, The Walt Disney Company was embroiled in a controversy for its handling of Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill.
Marvel
Studios
released
a
statement
denouncing
anti-LGBTQIA+
legislation,
a
week
after
its
parent
company,
The
Walt
Disney
Company
was
embroiled
in
a
controversy
for
its
handling
of
Florida's
"Don't
Say
Gay" bill.
"We
strongly
denounce
any
and
ALL
legislation
that
infringes
on
the
basic
human
rights
of
the
LGBTQIA+
community.
"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," Marvel
Studios
shared
the
statement
on
Twitter
Tuesday
afternoon.
Last
week,
Walt
Disney
Company
CEO
Bob
Chapek
was
in
line
of
fire
for
saying
that
while
the
company
has
"unwavering
commitment
to
the
LGBTQ+
community",
he
would
not
take
a
public
stance
regarding
the
legislation.
Instead,
Chapek
argued
that
the
biggest
impact
Disney
could
make
"in
creating
a
more
inclusive
world
is
through
the
inspiring
content
(it
produces)".
The
bill,
which
prohibits
"classroom
discussion
about
sexual
orientation
or
gender
identity" in
Florida
primary
schools,
was
passed
by
the
state's
House
of
Representatives
on
February
24
and
the
state
Senate
in
early
March.
Chapek's
remarks
drew
sharp
criticism
from
all
quarters,
including
Disney
employees.
According
to
Variety,
in
a
statement
attributed
to
LGBTQIA+
employees
of
Disney
subsidiary
Pixar
at
the
animation
studio
alleged
that
Disney
corporate
executives
demanded
cuts
to
"nearly
every
moment
of
overtly
gay
affection…
regardless
of
when
there
is
protest
from
both
the
creative
teams
and
executive
leadership
at
Pixar."
A
group
of
Disney
employees
are
also
planning
a
week
of
in-person
and
virtual
walkouts
in
protest
of
the
company's
treatment
of
the
situation.