Disney will sign an open letter between studies that support the law of respect for marriage

After facing a public and domestic backlash earlier this year over its response to Florida’s parental rights education legislation, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, the Walt Disney Company is among a number of Hollywood studios. who signed an open letter of support. Codification of some LGBTQ+ marital rights in federal law.

Led by the Human Rights Campaign, which mobilized the effort in just six days, the open letter has 173 signatories representing more than 5.3 million workers asking the Senate to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. Formally known as HR 8404 in the House and S. 4556 in the Senate, the bill would completely repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, passed in 1996. DOMA prohibited the federal government from recognizing same-sex married couples under state law. in more than 1,000 contexts and did not require states to legally honor same-sex marriages in other states under the Constitution’s full faith and credit clause.

US Supreme Court decision United States vs Windsor In 2013, the federal recognition element of DOMA was waived, which means that peers of the same sex were not excluded from federal recognition with regard to Social Security survivor benefits, fair tax treatment, marital sponsorship for the citizenry. and more. But statements made in the concurring opinion of Judge Clarence Thomas Dobbsv. Jackson Women’s Health Organizationthat dropped Roe vs Wadesuggests that the court may attempt to overturn a decision such as windsor.

“Americans from all walks of life, demographics, geography, and partisanship agree that loving and committed couples have the right to be respected and protected by law,” the letter read. “As many of us emphasized in support of marriage equality in 2015, inconsistent and discriminatory state marriage laws are at odds with our company values ​​and make it difficult to do business, recruit and retain the best talent.

While the bill attempts to protect some of the state and federal marriage rights that have been established windsor For preexisting marriages, in addition to protecting federal recognition and enforcement for states to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states, the Marriage Respect Act does not include all of the rights established by the court’s position. Oberfefel vs. Hodges. Historically decided in 2015, the open letter noted that the decision sets out a fundamental right to marriage that includes same-sex couples and, if overturned, could once again allow states to deny new marriage licenses to same-sex couples. ACLU

The letter, which says support for “same-sex couples and interracial couples is on the rise,” sees Disney and other entertainment industry studios and companies such as Sony, Comcast NBCUniversal and Apple publicly aligning with pro-LGBTQ+ rights. . The bill, which has already gone down in history as the “most pro-LGBTQ vote” in Congress, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, after passing the House with bipartisan support by 267 to 157.

“Coding a Consistent and Inclusive Federal Standard Assigned Caring, windsors Oberfefel “The decisions will help ensure marriage equality, eliminate confusion for employers and allow us to retain and attract talent,” the letter read. “No one, including same-sex and interracial couples protected by this bill, should fear that their marriage will not be recognized by the federal government or that their employment benefits will be compromised.”

Disney’s presence among the signatories of the letter comes after the company faced weeks of internal and external backlash over its response to Florida’s “don’t say gay” bill, which has since been signed into law.

Described by the ACLU as a government censorship law, Florida law prohibits discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity by school officials and others in public schools from kindergarten through third grade, as well as at any other grade level. where it is conducted in a manner that is not considered “age-appropriate”. It also gives parents broad authority to sue the district for damages and attorney fees for alleged violations.

The law became a sore point for Disney in the early months of 2022. That’s when the company began donating to representatives who supported and passed HB 1557/SB 1834 in both houses of Florida’s Congress, as well as their silence. About any public statements about the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

In early March, CEO Bob Chapek finally responded, telling employees in an internal memo that the company would not publicly oppose the project because “corporate statements do little to change outcomes or minds” and instead “often one side or divide even more and ignite the other.” Simply put, they can backfire and undermine more effective ways to bring about change.”

In response, the Animation Guild and Disney employees, from Pixar to its distribution team, issued public statements condemning the company’s political donations and decision to remain silent in response to the bill. Soon after, Chapek pledged that the company would donate $5 million to the Human Rights Campaign and other LGBTQ+ rights organizations, as well as a meeting with Florida Governor Ron DeSanti.

HRC ultimately turned down the donation due to the company’s “deplorable position of choosing to remain silent amid political attacks on LGBTQ+ families in Florida” and would not accept until Disney “made a public commitment and worked with LGBTQ+ advocates.” .” Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” or “Trans” bills are not dangerous laws.”

After tense internal meetings with employees, social media announcements from its various departments, and news of a virtual and in-person shutdown, which ended up taking place in Burbank, Chapek announced, in a memo to employees, that Disney would suspend political donations to await a review in the Florida. The company is developing a new framework for political donations and is increasing support for advocacy groups to fight similar laws in other states.

Disney’s spot on the pro-marriage bill’s signatory list is one of the first known public stances the company has taken in support of LGBTQ+ rights since the March controversy.

“I am grateful to the 173 companies that stepped up and joined the fight for LGBTQ+ equality on behalf of their employees and customers, for whom this is deeply personal,” said Joni Madison, interim president of the Human Rights Campaign. “When workplaces see and celebrate all families, including LGBTQ+ talent, they ensure that everyone can reach their full potential at work and have opportunities to thrive.”