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FIRST ON FOX – A coalition representing more than 2,000 Orthodox Jewish rabbis on American public policy issues condemned the Walt Disney Company’s stance on Florida HB 1557, a parental rights law in education that Democrats dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.” – Have referred to the law (despite the draft law). not ban the word “gay”). The rabbis said the move represented a betrayal of Disney’s historical values.
“Since its inception in 1923, the Disney name has been associated with wholesome family entertainment that all Americans love to share with their children,” Rabbi Yaakov Menken, the executive director of the Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), said in an initial statement published on Fox News Digital. “To this day, most Disney films have a rating no higher than PG. This means Disney has historically been aware of the expectations of parents across the country when it comes to the language and subjects their children are exposed to.”
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“The legislation recently signed into law in Florida is fully consistent with the values Disney has historically exemplified,” added Menken. “It ensures that students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade are not exposed to sexually charged material, that parents are informed about their children’s mental, emotional and physical health and well-being, and that parents are the ones making decisions about their upbringing and control of their children.”
ORLANDO, FL – MAY 08: Disney’s Bob Chapek speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Invictus Games Orlando at ESPN Wide World of Sports on May 8, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Invictus)
He called the law an enshrinement of Disney’s historic values, and Disney’s stated opposition to it as an attack on the very values that have made Disney so successful.
“In other words, it requires textbooks for elementary school children to be G-rated, just like the multitude of Disney films,” the rabbi said.
Rabbi Yaakov Menken, Executive Director of the Coalition for Jewish Values
“It is tragic that a company like Disney should succumb to an awakened mob, commit to promoting alternative sexuality in its films and fight the very values that have made it a formidable name in children’s entertainment,” added Menken. “We can only hope that the more sensible minds will prevail quickly.”
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The rabbi further noted that Disney’s move will alienate much of the orthodox Jewish community, making them more nervous about the future of Disney films.
Cinderella Castle, the iconic Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida (Disney)
“In the Orthodox Jewish community there are many who send children to parish schools to control the education they receive, who don’t watch TV but allow their children to see a Disney movie,” Menken noted. “Now they can’t even trust a G-rated Disney movie to be as harmless as it claims.”
LGBTQ employees at Disney protested earlier this month in response to what they saw as an inadequate condemnation of Florida law, which bans teaching — not casual discussions — about “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” with children in third grade or younger, “or in a manner that is not age or developmentally appropriate for students consistent with government standards.”
Although critics have branded it a “Don’t Say Gay” law, HB 1557 does not prohibit the word “gay” in school settings. It also does not prohibit informal discussion of issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. Schools are not required to notify parents if their child identifies as gay or transgender.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during the welcome segment of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida, U.S., February 26, 2021. (REUTERS/Joe Skipper/File Photo)
Still, Disney condemned the bill in an official statement Monday.
“Florida’s HB 1557, also known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ statute, should never have been passed and should never have been enacted into law,” the statement said. Posted on the Walt Disney Company Twitter page. “Our goal as a company is to have this law repealed by the legislature or struck down in court, and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to make that happen.”
“We are committed to the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ members of the Disney family and the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and across the country,” the statement concluded.
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An investigative journalist posted videos to Twitter on Tuesday that appear to show several Disney officials pushing through a progressive LGBT agenda for employees. In a video, an LGBT activist accused Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and his press secretary Christina Pushaw of trying to “delete” LGBT employees at Disney. She claimed the governor wanted to “wipe you out,” “criminalize your existence,” and “take your kids.” The Walt Disney Company did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the videos.
A group of employees also issued an open letter urging Disney to change its stance on Florida law and urging the company to adopt a politically neutral stance.