'Don't Say Gay' Controversy: Newsom Invites Disney Workers To CA

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — The Walt Disney Co. continued to garner criticism in the wake of passage of Florida's HB 1557, so California Gov. Gavin Newsom extended an invitation to Disney workers to come to the Golden State.

“Disney, the door is open to bring those jobs back to California —The state that actually represents the values of your workers," Newsom said on Twitter Sunday.

Patch reached out to Disney for comment on Newsom's remarks.

The Florida Legislature approved Florida's HB 1557, alternatively dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill. If signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, it would prohibit "classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity" in the state's primary schools, NBC News reported.

Newsom's statement came after LGBTQ Disney employees caught wind of reports that the company donated to politicians who backed the controversial bill, the Los Angeles Blade reported.

In addition, a group of employees at Disney's Pixar Animation Studios sent a statement to CEO Bob Chapek expressing frustration with the company's role in passing the new bill, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Chapek issued a companywide memo to its LGBTQ and ally employees last week to apologize for his handling of the controversy, the Blade reported.

"It is clear that this is not just an issue about a bill in Florida, but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights. You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down. I am sorry," Chapek told Disney employees.

"I missed the mark in this case but am an ally you can count on," Chapek added. "And I will be an outspoken champion for the protections, visibility and opportunity you deserve."