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Ok, the headline at the top of this page is not exactly news. But given the central role former Disney CEO Bob Chapek played in the company’s bizarre 2022 war on the political choices of Florida voters, it raises again the question of just how many people really had a problem with a Sunshine State law saying: Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten
through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate. Now Mr. Chapek is out with a new memoir. His interactions with his predecessor and successor as Disney CEO, Bob Iger, suggest that corporate politics in Hollywood are just as nasty as one would expect. The Journal’s Ben Fritz interviewed Mr. Chapek. Mr. Fritz sets the scene and then notes his questions and Mr. Chapek’s responses: In March 2022, three months after Iger
stepped down as executive chairman, Disney employees were in an uproar over a Florida bill prohibiting instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in certain grade levels at schools. Iger posted that the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, as it was described by opponents, would “put vulnerable, young LGBTQ people in jeopardy.” Chapek initially said corporate statements against legislation were counterproductive. Four days later, he apologized, pledged to be a better ally to the LGBTQ+ community, and said Disney would pause political giving in the state. Do you think apologizing for the initial statement was a mistake?
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