Disney defies pressure, reaffirms commitment to inclusivity
A conservative organisation acting in the spirit of MAGA made a controversial offer to Disney. They wanted the company to stop supporting LGBT+ equality and creating an inclusive workforce. The studio firmly refused, thereby supporting the queer community.
During the last Disney shareholders' general meeting, there was a vote on the proposal for the company to withdraw from activities promoting diversity and equality for LGBT+ individuals. The initiative, proposed by the conservative organisation NCPPR, was overwhelmingly rejected - it was supported by only 1 per cent of voters.
Disney stood by the LGBT+ community
NCPPR argued that Disney's participation in the annual report on diversity and inclusivity conducted by the Human Rights Campaign leads to promoting "partisan, divisive and increasingly radical" values. They claimed that the inclusive model of operation might deter some investors and customers, thus negatively affecting the company's financial performance.
However, Disney's board recommended that shareholders vote against the proposal. It emphasised that participating in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programmes is an important part of the company's strategy and contributes to building a strong organisational culture.
The studio will not abandon inclusivity
For years, Disney has been involved in promoting equality and diversity. Since 2007, the company has received top ratings in the HRC ranking, confirming its policy of supporting LGBTQ+ employees. In 2022, the company openly opposed the controversial "Don’t Say Gay" bill in Florida, leading to tensions with Governor Ron DeSantis and the loss of certain tax and administrative privileges.
Even though some American corporations, like Walmart and Target, have limited their DEI programmes due to increasing political pressure, Disney consistently maintains its stance. The company emphasises that inclusivity not only fosters innovation but also has a positive impact on financial results.
The voting results are clear
Merely 1 per cent support for the NCPPR proposal shows that Disney investors do not intend to abandon the diversity and integration policy. Eric Bloem, vice president of corporate citizenship at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, summarised the vote by saying: "Despite the growing politicization of DEI and workplace inclusion, leading global businesses remain committed to the belief that a welcoming, inclusive environment drives innovation, boosts productivity, and strengthens the bottom line."
