The Disney Company has already expressed opposition in regards to the new “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida, also known as the Parental Rights in Education Bill, and many Disney celebrities have been expressing their own individual opinions about the bill.
As a member of the LGBT community, Disney Channel actress Raven-Symoné was vocal about her opinion regarding the Parental Rights in Education Bill. “I’m gonna say this, and this is my thing,” Raven-Symoné said on the Today show on NBC. “If there’s a ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, there should be a ‘Don’t Say Straight’ bill, because it’s not fair,” the That’s So Raven and Raven’s Home actress elaborated.
Raven-Symoné is taking aim at a piece of legislation in Florida that critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 30, 2022
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“There are multiple kinds of humans in this world, and you are ruining the psyche, the confidence of so many young children, because you are discrediting their parents, the people they love, the people that raised them, the people that teach them the manners when they walk into that schoolroom,” Raven-Symoné said.
“So if you’re not gonna honor their family, your family shouldn’t be honored either,” she continued. Raven-Symoné is best known for her leading role as Raven Baxter on the Disney Channel show That’s So Raven, in which a high schooler saw the future and tried to stop her premonitions from coming true.
The reboot Raven’s Home also stars Raven-Symoné, and she was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in Children’s Programming for her role in the reboot. Raven-Symoné also starred in Disney’s Cheetah Girls films.
Raven-Symoné also referenced the Youtube reality show that she and her partner Miranda Maday created last year. “I figured now would be a good time [to start a reality show], because I found my life partner. I found the person that makes me feel comfortable and in my skin, and she’s down for the cause,” the Disney Channel actress explained. Everything from sexual orientation and gender identity to cooking and ‘unboxing’ is discussed on the series.
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“And, you know, she kinda brought it to my attention, there are not a lot of people in the industry that are in our age bracket, a part of the LGBTQ+ community, multiracial, talented and want to make positive change, want to have conversations, want to make sure that, if you don’t agree, tell me why. You don’t have to cuss me out,” she continued. “You don’t have to cancel. You can just tell me why. And we can talk about it. And we can learn from each other, and I learn from her every day.”
Raven-Symoné and the rest of the cast from the reboot Raven’s Home also did a walkout on March 22, leaving the show’s set in protest of HB 1557. “In support of our LGBTQ+ family and all of those who will be damaged by the “don’t say gay bill” we the cast of Ravens Home are walking out.,” Raven-Symoné wrote on Instagram in the post below about the walkout.
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“In todays world it is imperative that we take stands, show support, and move forward not backwards,” she continued on Instagram. “Every family every person and every child deserves to be recognized no matter their race, gender, or sexual orientation. Education that reflects the truth and the world we live in is something we must fight for”.
The Walt Disney Company has declared itself to be against the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, as has Disney CEO Bob Chapek.
