Disney heir comes out as trans and apologises for not doing more against 'Don't Say Gay' bill

A Disney heir has publicly come out as transgender and said they should have done more to speak out against Florida’s controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill.

Roy P Disney, the great-nephew of Walt Disney and the co-founder of Walt Disney Co, revealed his son, Charlee, was trans while pledging $500,000 along with his family to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

In an appeal to America’s largest LGBT+ advocacy group, Mr Disney said: “Equality matters deeply to us especially because our child, Charlee, is transgender and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.”

The Los Angeles Times reports that 30-year-old Charlee Disney, a science teacher, came out as trans four years ago.

They use the pronouns they and them, but this is the first time the family has addressed their gender orientation in public.

‘I feel like I don’t do very much to help’

The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, bans teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender issues with students in classrooms and was signed into law last month by Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis.

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It has drawn intense national scrutiny from critics who argue that it marginalises LGBTQ people.

In an interview with the paper, Charlee said: “I feel like I don’t do very much to help.

“I don’t call senators or take action. I felt like I could be doing more.”

They said they had “very few openly gay role models”, adding: “And I certainly didn’t have any trans or nonbinary role models. I didn’t see myself reflected in anyone, and that made me feel like there was something wrong with me.”

Disney response prompted staff walkouts

The family’s appeal comes after Walt Disney’s chief executive, Bob Chapek, initially refused to publicly condemn Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law.

Mr Chapek’s response sparked backlash within the company, which led to organised walkouts by staff.

He later apologised for not taking a stronger stand and said the company would pause all political donations in the state.

Charlee’s mother, Sheri, told The Los Angeles Times that her family was disappointed by the Disney Co’s initial refusal to take a stand against the law but had no doubt the company would make it right.

She said: “I have a trans kid, and I love my kid no matter what”.

The controversial Florida bill forbids teaching children from nursery to the third grade about sexual orientation and gender identity.

The White House criticised its passage as “hateful legislation targeting vulnerable students”.

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