Disney launched a line of rainbow merchandise for kids and families dubbed the “pride collection” in the midst of the company’s battle with Florida lawmakers over the state’s Parental Rights in Education bill.
“The Disney Pride Collection was created by LGBTQIA+ employees and allies at The Walt Disney Company and is a reflection of their incredible contributions and place at the heart of the company,” Disney announced in a statement. “We stand in solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ community everywhere.”
While the company has released a line of rainbow colored items to coincide with June’s “Pride Month” for years, this is the first time Disney ever branded a collection after the LGBTQA celebration. It’s also the first time the House of Mouse will be donating more than a small percentage of sales to LGBTQA charities.
“The Walt Disney Company will be donating all of our profits from the Disney Pride Collection sales now through June 30, 2022 to organizations that support LGBTQIA+ youth and families. This includes sales of Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars Pride Collection merchandise,” the statement read.
The generosity comes after the company faced backlash for making donations to sponsors of the Parental Rights in Education bill, which bans discussions about sexuality and gender identity in elementary school classrooms, and employees walked out in protest.
Disney eventually denounced the bill and made headlines in March, when executives bragged that the organization supported their “not-at-all secret gay agenda.”
Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed a law stripping Disney of their self-governing powers and special tax breaks in April.
“I’m just not comfortable having that type of agenda get special treatment in my state,” DeSantis said. “I just can’t do it. We have everything thought out. Don’t let anyone tell you that Disney is going to get a tax cut out of this. They are going to pay more taxes as a result of this.”
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