Disney Shareholder Claims LGBTQ Content Is Hurting the Company
Bob Chapek, the new Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, made a strong impression at the company’s annual shareholders meetings when he shut down an audience member’s claim that LGBTQ+ content in Disney films, television series, and other media is hurting Disney’s bottom line. Per New York Times reporter Brooks Barnes, a shareholder “complained about LGBT themes in Disney content and says stock price is down 20% as a result.” Chapek refuted the claim, saying drop in stock price “might have more to do with coronavirus and the worldwide pandemic that we’re facing.”
Disney properties such as “Star Wars” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe have made headlines in recent months for including LGBTQ+ content. The most recent “Star Wars” release, “The Rise of Skywalker,” included the franchise’s first same-sex kiss on screen. The new Pixar release “Onward” includes an openly gay character in one scene, while Marvel president Kevin Feige has been vocal about the upcoming tentpole “The Eternals” featuring the franchise’s first openly gay superhero. The Disney+ series based on the gay coming-of-age film “Love Simon” recently set up shop at Hulu and has plans for a second season.
Chapek took over the role of Disney CEO from Bob Iger in late February. Iger oversaw the acquisition of major companies such as Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel during his tenure as Disney CEO and he’s staying with the company as executive chairman through the end of his contract, which expires December 31, 2021. Iger also attended the shareholders meeting and was asked to address whether or not the controversial animated film “Song of the South” would ever be be available to stream on Disney+. Iger says the film is “not appropriate in today’s world” and will not be released.
As for Chapek, the new CEO faces a more uncertain future at Disney as the company has to continue to grow its streaming platform and continue to streamline the effects of the Fox merger. Chapek is a 27-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company and previously served as chairman of Disney parks, experiences, and products.
At Disney’s annual meeting, a shareholder complains about LGBT themes in Disney content and says stock price is down 20% as a result.
[quote] Umm, Chapek says, stock price “might have more to do with coronavirus and the worldwide pandemic that we’re facing.” — Brooks Barnes (@brooksbarnesNYT) March 11, 2020
| by Anonymous | reply 16 | March 11, 2020 10:29 PM
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The "LGBTQ content" in most of Disney's recent output has consisted of a blink-and-you'll-miss-it kiss, or a 15 second cameo.
| by Anonymous | reply 1 | March 11, 2020 10:09 PM
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Exactly, R1.
That shareholder is a fucking moron.
| by Anonymous | reply 2 | March 11, 2020 10:12 PM
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A better question is, why IS Disney stock tanking?
| by Anonymous | reply 3 | March 11, 2020 10:12 PM
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Poor Disney only had seven of the top ten films last year and they all made more than a billion dollars. Clearly, they are having trouble reaching their market.
| by Anonymous | reply 4 | March 11, 2020 10:14 PM
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Well, three of their theme parks are closed right now, for one.
| by Anonymous | reply 5 | March 11, 2020 10:14 PM
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Change of leadership will tank stocks temporarily but Coronavirus could be a longer term problem.
| by Anonymous | reply 6 | March 11, 2020 10:15 PM
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[quote] Well, three of their theme parks are closed right now, for one.
I didn't hear that any Disney parks are closed, R5.
Link, please?
| by Anonymous | reply 7 | March 11, 2020 10:17 PM
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Temporary Closure of Hong Kong Disneyland Park
As a precautionary measure in line with preventive efforts taking place across Hong Kong, we are temporarily closing Hong Kong Disneyland Park out of consideration for the health and safety of our Guests and Cast Members. We are in close contact with health authorities and the government about the situation and will announce a reopening date once they determine it is advisable. Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre remains open as usual.
| by Anonymous | reply 8 | March 11, 2020 10:21 PM
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Oh, I thought you meant the American parks.
No way would those ever close.
Too much money at stake. Especially since they just raised ticket prices.
| by Anonymous | reply 9 | March 11, 2020 10:22 PM
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Shanghai Disneyland Remains Temporarily Closed Until Further Notice--Disneytown, Wishing Star Park and Shanghai Disneyland Hotel Re-open with Limited Operations
Shanghai Disneyland remains closed as we continue to closely monitor health and safety conditions and follow the direction of government regulators. However, as the first step of a phased reopening, Shanghai Disney Resort will partially resume operations on March 9, 2020 with a limited number of shopping, dining, and recreational experiences available in Disneytown, Wishing Star Park and Shanghai Disneyland Hotel. Each of these resort locations will operate under limited capacity and reduced hours of operation. The Disney Car and Coach Park and the Disneytown Parking Lot will also reopen.
| by Anonymous | reply 10 | March 11, 2020 10:23 PM
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Tokyo Disney parks extend closure until early April over virus
| by Anonymous | reply 11 | March 11, 2020 10:24 PM
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Three workers at Disneyland Paris also tested positive today, so who knows if that's going to stay open either.
| by Anonymous | reply 12 | March 11, 2020 10:24 PM
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I guess we can say that these are Disney's "Sad, last days."
| by Anonymous | reply 13 | March 11, 2020 10:25 PM
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It’s a small world after all!
| by Anonymous | reply 14 | March 11, 2020 10:27 PM
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[quote]Oh, I thought you meant the American parks.
It's still money off the balance sheet. Especially since there are big projects at all of the parks right now. Epcot is essentially being gutted and rebuilt, as is the second park in Paris.
| by Anonymous | reply 15 | March 11, 2020 10:27 PM
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The new CEO should have mentioned all of this, to make that homophobic shareholder twat, shut the fuck up!
| by Anonymous | reply 16 | March 11, 2020 10:29 PM
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