“Thanks to all who’ve reached out to me sharing your ache, frustration and unhappiness over the corporate’s response to the Florida ‘Do not Say Homosexual’ invoice,” Chapek wrote in a letter to workers Friday that was obtained by CNN. “Talking to you, studying your messages, and assembly with you could have helped me higher perceive how painful our silence was.”

He added that this subject is not only about “a invoice in Florida, however as a substitute yet one more problem to fundamental human rights…You wanted me to be a stronger ally within the battle for equal rights and I allow you to down. I’m sorry.” Disney may even be “pausing all political donations within the state of Florida” to reassess.

The backlash started Monday when Chapek declined to subject a public assertion in regards to the invoice, noting that company statements are “usually weaponized by one facet or the opposite to additional divide and inflame.”

As a substitute, he mentioned on the time, “one of many methods Disney could make lasting change is thru its content material, citing movies like ‘Encanto’ and TV exhibits like ‘Fashionable Household.’ These and all of our numerous tales are our company statements — and they’re extra highly effective than any tweet or lobbying effort.”

The pushback was instant, and by Wednesday, Chapek spoke towards the invoice on the corporate’s annual shareholder assembly and mentioned that his authentic assertion did not “fairly get the job performed.”He additionally mentioned he spoke Wednesday with Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, in regards to the invoice. “The governor heard our considerations and agreed to fulfill with me and LGBTQ+ members of our senior workforce in Florida to debate methods to deal with them,” he added.

And on Friday, the apology letter. In it, Chapek instructed workers that beginning instantly, Disney is “growing our assist for advocacy teams to fight related laws in different states” and that the corporate is “exhausting at work creating a brand new framework for our political giving that can guarantee our advocacy higher displays our values.”

Chapek additionally instructed workers that there is way more work to be performed and that the corporate will share updates on that progress within the coming weeks.

“I actually consider we’re an infinitely higher and stronger firm due to our LGBTQ+ neighborhood,” Chapek mentioned. “I missed the mark on this case however am an ally you may rely on—and I shall be an outspoken champion for the protections, visibility, and alternative you deserve.”

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