Raven-Symoné joins Disney walkout over ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill: ‘We don’t like it’

Raven-Symoné and the solid of “Raven’s House” are among the many Disney staff who participated Tuesday in a walkout protesting Florida laws that might prohibit classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identification.

On Instagram, Raven-Symoné shared a video of the “Raven’s House” solid and government producers expressing their help for LGBTQIA+ Disney staffers who organized the demonstration opposing the invoice — which critics have labeled the Don’t Say Homosexual invoice. As a teen, Raven-Symoné starred within the hit Disney Channel sequence “That’s So Raven” earlier than returning for the revival as an grownup.

Within the clip, Raven-Symoné calls the invoice “ridiculous,” shouts, “We don’t prefer it!” and encourages viewers to “help, help, help” the motion to dam the laws.

“In help of our LGBTQ+ household and all of those that will likely be broken by the ‘don’t say homosexual invoice’ we the solid of Ravens House are strolling out,” the Disney Channel star captioned the video.

“In todays world it’s crucial that we take stands, present help, and transfer ahead not backwards. Each household each individual and each baby deserves to be acknowledged irrespective of their race, gender, or sexual orientation. Training that displays the reality and the world we reside in is one thing we should combat for. #dontsaygaybill”

In solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ group, Disney staff staged a protest Tuesday as a result of the leisure company refused to denounce the invoice earlier than it was handed by the state Legislature. The invoice goals to ban classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identification in kindergarten by means of third grade and would enable mother and father to sue districts for violations.

Final week, Disney Chief Govt Bob Chapek apologized to staff for the corporate’s initially impartial stance on the invoice, admitting he let his employees members down once they wanted him to be “a stronger ally.” He additionally introduced that Disney would pause political donations within the state whereas the company workshops its strategy to advocacy.

Raven-Symoné will not be the one Disney superstar to talk out towards the invoice in latest weeks. Kerry Washington, a longtime worker of Disney who starred within the hit ABC sequence “Scandal,” reprimanded the studio big Tuesday for its response to the laws.

In an announcement posted on social media, Washington praised LGBTQIA+ Disney staffers for taking a stand towards the corporate’s latest habits.

“For a very long time, as an worker of ABC, I’ve been a part of the Disney company ‘household,’” Washington wrote. “It’s a inventive {and professional} group that I’m typically pleased and proud to be part of. However typically relations disagree. That is a type of occasions.

“I don’t condone the actions or inactions of Disney on this second. I wholeheartedly help the LGBTQIA+ staff, and stand with them on this stroll out as we speak. Please know that you just matter. Your rights matter. Your voices matter. I encourage you all to assist their voices ring louder as we speak.”

In her submit, the “Little Fires In all places” star shared the hashtag #SayGay, together with a rainbow of coronary heart emojis, whereas encouraging her thousands and thousands of followers to signal a petition urging Disney to “instantly and indefinitely stop all marketing campaign donations to … politicians concerned within the creation of or passage of the ‘don’t say homosexual or trans’ invoice.”

Created by Disney staff, the petition additionally calls for Disney “develop its content material catalog to characterize the LGBTQIA+ group” and donate to LGBTQIA+ organizations such because the Trevor Mission and Trans Lifeline.

One other main Disney participant who weighed in on the controversy Tuesday was Josh Gad, finest recognized for voicing the character of Olaf the snowman within the “Frozen” franchise.

“I too love Disney. However everybody should develop,” Gad tweeted. “To all of my pals within the LGBTQ group & these below the extensive and various Disney banner, I like you, I stand with you and I’ve your again. Everybody ought to really feel heard, protected & protected.”

When requested about Disney’s response to the Florida laws on the premiere of Disney+’s “Cheaper by the Dozen” remake, Gabrielle Union informed Selection that “the injury is completed.” Union attended the occasion with husband Dwyane Wade, daughter Kaavia James Union Wade and stepdaughter Zaya Wade, who’s transgender.

“Any person requested me, ‘Are you disenchanted?’ I’m disenchanted when my order isn’t proper at In-N-Out. I don’t even assume that’s a phrase that you may use for one thing like this, the place kids’s lives are actually hanging within the steadiness,” stated Union, who stars reverse Zach Braff within the new “Cheaper by the Dozen” film.

“We have to personal that should you really are taking stands towards hate and oppression, you shouldn’t fund hate and oppression. Interval.”