How to Speak Out With Confidence

From Mark Athitakis writing in Associations Now…

Taking half a stand isn’t taking a stand at all.

That’s one of the key lessons from the PR mess that Disney found itself in last week. The entertainment giant came under heavy criticism—including from its own employees—for its donations to Florida politicians who supported a recent bill in the state legislature restricting the discussion of LGBTQ topics in schools. Disney CEO Bob Chapek attempted to explain the company’s silence about the bill (dubbed “don’t say gay”) by trumpeting its track record of support for LGBTQ rights. In a memo to staff, he wrote, “We all share the same goal of a more tolerant, respectful world. Where we may differ is in the tactics to get there.”

But to many observers, that could only be seen as Chapek talking out of both sides of his mouth. By last Thursday, Disney saw the disconnect as well, announcing that it opposed the bill and that Chapek had spoken to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis about it.

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