However, the very email making this claim opened with a corporate statement regarding the ongoing situation in Ukraine. The second claim stated that 'corporate statements do very little to change outcomes or minds'. To this end, it feels terrible to be a part of a company that makes money from Pride merch when it chooses to 'step back' in times of our greatest need, when our rights are at risk. Additionally, Disney began capitalizing on Pride in 2018 with The Rainbow Mickey Collection, (while de-emphasizing the terms like LGBTQ+ and not even featuring explicitly LGBTQIA+ pieces such as Pride flag pins until 2021).
Disney has a history of shutting down fan-created Pride events in the parks, even removing same-sex couples for dancing together in the 1980's. It began with the claim that Disney has a long history of supporting the LGBT community, but Disney Parks did not officially host Pride until 2019, in Paris alone. Monday's email, 'Our Unwavering Commitment to the LGBTQ+ Community', rang hollow.
In regards to Disney's financial involvement with legislators behind the 'Don't Say Gay' bill, we hoped that our company would show up for us. We are writing because we are disappointed, hurt, afraid, and angry.
