Marvel Studios‘ Victoria Alonso says she had a 45-minute sit down with Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek asking him to take a stance against anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation.
According to Deadline, Alonso gave a speech Saturday night while accepting the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film for Eternals. During her speech, she mentioned her conversation with Chapek. “I asked him to look around and truly if what we sell is entertainment for the family, we don’t choose what family,” Alonso said. “Family is this entire room. Family is the family in Texas, in Arizona, in Florida, and in my family, in my home. So I ask you again Mr. Chapek: please respect — if we’re selling family — take a stand against all of these crazy outdated laws. Take a stand for family. “
She went on to encourage everyone to fight against discriminatory legislation. “I encourage all of you to stop being silent — silence is death,” she said. “Silence is poison. But if you don’t stand up, if you don’t fight, if you don’t give your money, if you don’t vote, then all we can do is have a party and be gay. Fight, fight, fight! As long as I am at Marvel Studios I will fight for representation for all of us.”
Chapek is already facing backlash for his response to Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, nicknamed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The bill outlaws conversations about sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms at certain grade levels. It was signed into law on March 28. Chapek’s initial response was to release a memo saying that Disney would not be pausing its donations to the bill’s sponsors, but that the company still supports its LGBTQIA+ employees.
Chapek’s response elicited a response from advocates and there have even been reports that Disney’s board is considering replacing Chapek over the situation. He responded to the initial criticism by saying he would donate $5 million to the Human Rights Campaign, however the HRC refused Chapek’s donation until he agreed to take “meaningful action” against the bill. Chapek later announced that Disney would be pausing all political donations in the state of Florida and promised to be a strong LGBTQIA+ ally moving forward.
In light of Disney’s initial response to the bill, more revelations have come out regarding the attitude towards LGBTQIA+ representation. Staffers for the now shuttered Blue Sky Studios said that Disney pushed back on the queer themes in a planned film called Nimona. The film was ultimately canceled outright when Disney closed Blue Sky. Pixar employees also came forward saying Disney routinely censored affection between gay characters in the studio’s films.
Alonso isn’t the only one at Marvel taking a stand against this legislation. Marvel Studios condemned the Don’t Say Gay bill on social media. “We strongly denounce any and all legislation that infringes on the basic human rights of the LGBTQIA+ community,” the company wrote. “Marvel Studios stands for hope, inclusivity and strength; and we proudly stand with the community.”
Source: Deadline
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