By David T. Valentin
In an interesting turn of events, Disney heir, Charlee Corra Disney, comes out as trans just after Disney’s rejection of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
The “Don’t Say Gay Bill,” or it’s official name “Parental Rights in Education” Bill, restricts all discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity between the grades of kindergarten through grade three, in a matter which Governor DeSantis and many other Republican legislators “deem not age-appropriate.”
Just weeks before the bill was passed, Disney was caught donating $190k to support Florida Republicans leading to many of the company’s employees to stage walkouts in protest of the Parental Rights in Education bill.
After much criticism, Disney walked back its support. Even Disney CEO Bob Chapek was moved to take action after his silence on the bill and his unwillingness to condemn the bill.
“We are hard at work creating a new framework for our political giving that will ensure our advocacy better reflects our values,” Chapek said. “I am committed to this work and to you all, and will continue to engage with the LGBTQ+ community so that I can become a better ally.”
Although Charlee Disney was privately out as trans for four years already, them seeing the attack on the LGBTQ+ youth led them to come out publicly at the HRC (Human Rights Campaign) gala.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Charlee said, “I feel like I don’t do very much to help. I don’t call senators or take action. I felt like I could be doing more.
“I had very few openly gay role models. And I certainly didn’t have any trans or nonbinary role models. I didn’t see myself reflected in anyone, and that made me feel like there was something wrong with me.
“To put something like this law on top of that? They can’t learn about their community and their history at school, or play sports or use the bathroom they want to use?”
In support of their Trans child, Roy P. Disney and Sheri Disney each came out in support of Charlee and even went so far as to condemn Disney for not taking any action against the bill sooner.