Disney is still trying to deal with the fallout caused by their donations to politicians that are supporting the hateful “Don’t Say Gay” bill, a law passed in Florida that prohibits instruction regarding gender identity and sexual orientation. The company has offered flowery statements but still hasn’t been able to quell the backlash and reports that they’ve removed same-sex affection scenes in Pixar films. Disney’s inaction has angered employees of the company, leading to organized walkouts in protest of the bill, and now MCU actors are weighing in.
Variety was able to speak with both “Moon Knight” stars Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke at the MCU show’s junket, about their thoughts on the bill along with Disney’s financial support of the bill’s backers.
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“I guess my comment would be: gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gay gayyyyyy!” Isaac told Variety.
The actor added, “It’s an absolutely ridiculous law. It’s insane. It’s insanity. And I hope that Disney as a company comes out as forcefully as possible against this idea. It’s astounding that it even exists in this country.”
While Hawke admitted he’s “not educated” about the bill itself, he mentioned the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility in our popular culture.
“My life’s work is dedicated to creating empathy,” Hawke said at the Marvel event. “I feel the power of stories that we tell each other. If you tell the truth about human experience, you invite empathy. And the more places we shine light, the less dark places there are, and there’s less to be afraid of. And the more we understand each other’s experiences, the more humanity we find in them, and the better we all actually feel. So that’s my job, and that’s what I believe in.”
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Will Disney offer more than lip service? Time will tell.