Auli’i Cravalho.Photo: MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty
Auli’i Cravalhohas a message for corporations: “say ‘gay.’ "
On March 11,Walt Disney CompanyCEO Bob Chapek apologized to employees for the company’s “silence” amid the passing of Florida’s new legislation, after employees organized and wrote letters about the company’s handling.
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Auli’i Cravalho.Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
Chapek, 61, said in hismessage to Disney employees, “You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. I am sorry.”
The executive added, “Starting immediately, [Disney is] increasing [its] support for advocacy groups to combat similar legislation in other states.”
Chapek also said that he reached out to DeSantis, 43, “to express our disappointment and concern that if the legislation becomes law it could be used to target LGBTQ kids and families,” and that the governor had agreed to meet with him and LGBTQ members of Disney’s senior team.
In her conversation with IndieWire, Cravalho — who stars oppositeRowan Blanchardin Hulu’s queer teen romcomCrush, out April 29 — said, “To speak directly about the Disney of it all, to have the individuals stand up against a corporation is what needed to happen, unfortunately.”
Cravalho believes “it is important that the corporations behind the films that have the power, that have the money, truly help the communities,” as opposed to just sending messages through their mediums.
“I am bisexual, and there are only words that I can speak in support of trans lives and people of color. And I can put my money where my mouth is as well, but corporations truly have the most impact right now,” she added.
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State legislators “will be considering termination of all special districts that were enacted in Florida prior to 1968, and that includes the Reedy Creek Improvement District,” DeSantis said,according toThe Washington Post, referring to a special zone encompassing 25,000 acres in two counties that include Disney properties.
The Florida Senate voted in favor of revoking the privileges starting in June 2023. The Florida House has not yet weighed in but isexpected this weekto also approve the move.
The status of Disney, the largest private employer in Florida, came up after the company expressed opposition to the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
The governor responded, attacking Disney as “woke” for taking a stand on some cultural issues (the parkremoved"ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls” from announcements, replacing it with the gender-neutral “dreamers of all ages,"),theTimesreported. DeSantis also said in a fundraising email that the iconic company “lost any moral authority to tell you what to do.”
source: people.com
