Gabrielle Union will join the other Disney employees in protest against Disney’s support for controversial Florida laws “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The actress spoke out at the new to share her views. Cheaper by the Dozen movie premiere last week.
“Somebody asked me, ‘Are you disappointed?’ I’m disappointed when my order isn’t right at In-N-Out. I don’t even think that’s a word that you could use for something like this, where children’s lives are literally hanging in the balance,”Union told Variety Red carpet. “We need to own that if you truly are taking stands against hate and oppression, you should not fund hate and oppression. Period. The damage is done.”
The Florida Parental Right in Education bill, which was passed on March 8, would effectively prohibit schools from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten to third grade. Schools are also required to teach lessons about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades other than those that the bill addresses. “age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate.”The “Don’t Say Gay”The legislature gives parents the right to sue schools for offering such curriculum.
“There are so many states that are following suit [with Florida’s legislation], because there is no pushback, because no one in positions of power [or] corporations are taking a hard stance,” Union continued. “Let’s look who’s donating to what and let’s call people out… I think a lot of people like to confuse accountability and consequences for cancel culture. And as long as you have a microphone and a stage that’s not cancel culture, honey… We have to campaign and fund for those people who stand for all of us.”
Since March 15, hundreds have protested the new bill with daily walkouts. Disney stars such as Raven-Symone Raven’s HomeAlso, he walked out on production in solidarity. Union responded to Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s suggestion of reaching out, saying: “I think a lot of people reached out to him. And if you have to see my child for that to be to be the difference maker, that’s not enough. There’s a lot of kids out there, not just famous ones.”
She also sent a message of support to young trans teens in Texas in the wake of an anti-trans bill. Union is a stepparent for Zaya Wade, her trans-daughter. Zaya was raised by Dwyane Wade (ex-NBA star).Â
“There are bad people controlling your fate, but we are working our asses off to make sure that not only do you survive but that you thrive,”She said. “There are so many more people that are working actively so that you have peace and that you can exist in the same way as everyone else has the ability to exist. We are fighting and we will never stop fighting. As long as I have air in my lungs we will not stop fighting for you and I’m not alone in that.”
