This week, the Walt Disney Company has notified the Boy Scouts of America that they will no longer be able to receive donations from Disney through a volunteer program offered by the company. This decision was made by Disney after consideration of the BSA's ban on gay scout leaders, though gay scouts are now able to participate in the organization. The VoluntEARS program offered by Disney to its employees allows them volunteer at various events and organizations in exchange for monetary donations to their choice of select organizations and charities. This program will remain a part of Disney, but beginning in 2015 will exclude the Boy Scouts of America as a choice for donation; any donations by other means from Disney to the BSA, aside from the VoluntEARS program, will also be eliminated. Deena Fidas, the director of workplace equality for the Human Rights Campaign, said on the subject that Disney's choice in the matter "carries a unique weight. When you think about brands that exemplify childhood, you think of Disney, and with them dissociating with BSA, it speaks volumes of where we are with the views we want to send to young people."
I couldn't agree more with the statement by Deena Fidas. Disney is a global company that nearly every child grows up with. We all know Disney World/Land as the place that makes "dreams come true" and as a place that harbors some of the best childhood memories for people. Given this, Disney could not have made a better choice in eliminating funding to the Boy Scouts. Disney stated that the Boy Scouts of America were ineligible for funding because they "discriminate in the provision of services unlawfully or in a manner inconsistent with Disney's policies on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, marital status, mental or physical ability, or sexual orientation." This is a quote from Disney's guidelines for choosing charities to fund. By no longer funding the organization, Disney is sending a message that establishes a value on equality to all people, which will likely instill this value in current youngsters who are growing up with Disney.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/28/us/disney-pulls-boy-scouts-funding/index.html?hpt=us_c2
Disney made the right choice. If convincing an organization to change its ideals on homosexuality for the greater good is to cut off funding it, then let it be so. The BSA is completely nuts.
ReplyDeleteI was interested to see what kind of stance Disney would take. Because it's organization is geared mostly towards kids, I figured they would take a more neutral stance and just not mention it, but if they feel strongly enough about it more power to them.
ReplyDeleteI think this makes Disney looks professional and inclusive, while I believe it was also the right thing to do. Old traditions in America need to start learning the new ways of American culture, and that we ave to get along with gays- even if you don't approve or get along with them. Go Disney!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the first part of the article's heading I assumed it was going to say that Disney was backing the BSA up or something and this is a very pleasant surprise for me!
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