For weeks, The Walt Disney Company and the state of Florida have been locked in a heated battle over Florida’s passing of the Parental Rights in Education bill. Critics say the bill — also called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill — will unfairly target the LGBTQ+ community, and Disney has vowed to work with local politicians and advocacy groups to see it repealed. Now, more members of the Disney family are stepping forward, condemning the bill, and saying that they will be donating to the Human Rights Campaign.
Charlee Corra Disney may not be well-known to either Disney fans or non-Disney fans. He is the stepson of Roy P. Disney, who is the grandson of Roy. O. Disney, co-founder of Walt Disney Studios. Charlee Disney lives a quiet life as a high school biology and environmental science. In March, Charlee attended the Human Rights Campaign gala, where he publicly came out as a transgender man. Charlee admitted that he felt he has not spoken up enough in the past and also said that he would be matching up to $250,000 in donations to the Human Rights Campaign.
Not long after Charlee Disney announced his donation, his stepfather Roy and mother Sheri announced that they would be doubling that amount and matching all donations, up to $500,000. In announcing their doubling of the matches, Roy and Sheri said, “Equality matters deeply to us, especially because our child, Charlee, is transgender and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Roy P. Disney’s sister Abigail Disney — an outspoken critic of The Walt Disney Company — praised her brother, his wife, and Charlee. Abigail Disney has frequently gone public with her disappointment in how Disney is being run. She has said in the past that Bob Iger ignored her and that her grandfather created Disney around a belief in love. Disney said on Twitter:
Today I am busting with pride at what my brother and his wife have done. So proud so proud so proud!!!
Today I am busting with pride at what my brother and his wife have done. So proud so proud so proud!!! https://t.co/0VIiGXuLNp
— Abigail Disney (@abigaildisney) April 8, 2022
After fumbling the company’s response to Florida’s bill, Disney CEO Bob Chapek has been on an apology tour. He even tried to donate $5 million to the Human Rights Campaign. However, unlike the donations made by the Disney family, the HRC rejected the company’s donation — saying that they would not accept a donation until the company did more to stand up for the LGBTQ+ community.