Disney's Social Media in the Wake of Tragedy

[DonaldDoleWhip]

As a "right-wing evangelical" myself, let me clear something up. I, and every believer I know, are heartbroken over this senseless act of violence. We pray for peace and comfort for the families/loved ones of the deceased and for physical/emotional healing for the injured. The ignoring this tragedy by Disney, or anyone else, does nothing positive for me/us. We are all created in the image of the Almighty, and we grieve as He does when a man gives into the darkness in his heart. Sometimes we refer to walls that simply don't exist.

Eh. Given that I've already seen comments saying that God sent this killer to Pulse, and other comments that have been briefly touched on, the wall does exist. The fact that anyone can proudly and adamantly exist on the other side of that wall says enough to me - doesn't mean we can't be united over things such as Disney movies, Dole Whips, and occasional glimpses of human decency.

 

[Matt_Black]

Eh, it may not have been intentional - but the headline absolutely seriously comes across as really severe click-baiting.

Disney. Silence. Wake of tragedy.

It definitely sounds accusatory and negative, particularly given some of the callous responses that have happened due to where the victims were/who they may have been (as there likely were straight folks involved too, working there or just with gay friends).

Honestly I thought I would open the thread and it was going to say that Disney was intentionally not saying anything because it was a gay club - which I think others have implied. That could be projected due to the other responses out there, but it was instantly what I thought it was about - even after reading. Hence my initial post.

I cannot control what people infer. My title may have been "click-baity" but it was also generally accurate.

 

[21stamps]

But the average Disney traveler equates "Orlando" with "Disney".

Maybe some, sure. But I don't think most do. Especially those who have traveled to Orlando or even Florida frequently, outside of just a Disney stay.

Those who go to Orlando and use Magical Express to/from MCO and go back home, without venturing outside of "the world", these people probably equate Orlando with Disney. But there are a lot of people who don't do that.

Not saying there is anything wrong with using ME! Just saying that there are millions of people who go to Orlando and do more than Disney, or even go without going to Disney at all. I don't see this having an effect on Universal or any other parks either. My opinion anyway.

 

[AEfx]

I cannot control what people infer. My title may have been "click-baity" but it was also generally accurate.

Well, no - tried to give you an out, but actually, if you want to pretend not to see why it came across that way - you posted it an hour and a half after the CEO of the company had already made a statement.

It would have been more accurate to point out SOCIAL media in the title - which makes more sense - and doesn't come across as accusatory. Big whoop, no one has twitted or 'booked about it - much different than "media silence in the wake of tragedy".

 

[ParksAndPixels]

Being gay isn't a choice or a "lifestyle" but thanks...

No disrespect implied or intended. Meant that more to cover any /all walks of life. Not to imply or start a debate on orientation. If anything that was meant to say that I would hope Disney had not with held a social media statement with that in mind. I would hope that same standard would hold true for anyone.

 

[Mike S]

They have never done it before for anything other than entertainment purposes and despite the scale of this tragedy I canot see them using Cinderella castle in that fashion.

It actually has been done before. Considering what happened I think it would be appropriate again.
http://www.breitbart.com/california...le-lit-up-with-gay-pride-social-media-erupts/

 

[JohnD]

They have never done it before for anything other than entertainment purposes and despite the scale of this tragedy I canot see them using Cinderella castle in that fashion.

I would assume that the flag is lowered at half staff.

 

[donsullivan]

It actually has been done before. Considering what happened I think it would be appropriate again.
http://www.breitbart.com/california...le-lit-up-with-gay-pride-social-media-erupts/

It has not been done before for the purpose described. The images that were flying around Twitter that week (there were at least 2 different versions) were not taken on that day; they were actually from a lighting package that was part of SpectroMagic. I happen to know one of the photographers whose shot was being used to make that representation and the shot was taken in June, 2008.

There is absolutely no way Disney is going to use Cinderella Castle for any sort of statement like that of any kind. It's not about their support for the community or otherwise, it's simply that Cinderella Castle should never be used for any such purpose, ever.

 

[ParksAndPixels]

I would assume that the flag is lowered at half staff.

All flags have been ordered to half staff in honor of the victims. Granted this is only required at "federal buildings" but is typically followed by any location with a displayed flag.

 

[Mike S]

It has not been done before for the purpose described. The images that were flying around Twitter that week (there were at least 2 different versions) were not taken on that day; they were actually from a lighting package that was part of SpectroMagic. I happen to know one of the photographers whose shot was being used to make that representation and the shot was taken in June, 2008.

There is absolutely no way Disney is going to use Cinderella Castle for any sort of statement like that of any kind. It's not about their support for the community or otherwise, it's simply that Cinderella Castle should never be used for any such purpose, ever.

Ok then. My bad.

 

[JohnD]

All flags have been ordered to half staff in honor of the victims. Granted this is only required at "federal buildings" but is typically followed by any location with a displayed flag.

I work for state government and stopped by my workplace to lower them myself today. (Not putting myself on a pedestal. I had to stop by for other reasons.)

 

[21stamps]

All flags have been ordered to half staff in honor of the victims. Granted this is only required at "federal buildings" but is typically followed by any location with a displayed flag.

Yep. Because it is a tragedy for America. I don't see how Disney is being held any differently, or why people are expecting more from them, as opposed to anyone else. This didn't happen at Disney World. It happened in Orlando, Florida USA.

 

[Filby61]

As a critic of Disney management, I must say that the Company deserves praise for its long-standing position on LGBT discrimination. In-house and in public, they're strongly against it. And it's no PR posturing -- they take action to back up their words, including risking the economic ire of certain demographics.

LA Times Op-Ed: Kudos to Disney for taking on LGBT discrimination in Georgia

The Walt Disney Co. this week joined a growing chorus of businesses urging Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to veto a bill that would sanction discrimination against gays and lesbians. But Disney went a step further, warning that it would stop film production in the state if the bill is signed into law. That's a serious risk to Georgia, a state that has spent years trying to build a film and television production business through generous tax credits.

Disney's leadership is commendable and its threat is powerful. The world's largest entertainment company, Disney (along with its subsidiary, Marvel Studio) has shot numerous big-budget films in the state. One Disney production alone — “Ant Man” — spent an estimated $106 million in Georgia and employed 3,579 residents. It is right that Disney should speak up on behalf of its LGBT employees and their families, many of whom may have to relocate to Georgia or work on location there for months at time, and who shouldn't have to fear discrimination. State officials in Georgia are eager to lure more lucrative film and TV productions; Deal even visited Los Angeles last year to pitch Georgia's tax credit program. But Disney's potential boycott, along with criticism from the Motion Picture Assn. of America and other major entertainment companies, should be a signal that Georgia needs to do more than offer financial incentives — it needs to safeguard the rights of LGBT people....​

 

[ParksAndPixels]

I work for state government and stopped by my workplace to lower them myself today. (Not putting myself on a pedestal. I had to stop by for other reasons.)

I am typically the one who does this as well, and I hate that I find myself doing so more and more frequently. It is sad to me as a parent to see the senseless violence and threat to innocent people ever increasing.

 

[JohnD]

I am typically the one who does this as well, and I hate that I find myself doing so more and more frequently. It is sad to me as a parent to see the senseless violence and threat to innocent people ever increasing.

Yeah. All too often. Memorial Day and the deaths of dignitaries are one thing. But having to lower the flags for these tragedies and even 9/11 every year is something else.

 

[JohnD]

It actually has been done before. Considering what happened I think it would be appropriate again.
http://www.breitbart.com/california...le-lit-up-with-gay-pride-social-media-erupts/

Just saw that the Empire State Building is not lit tonight. Another option for the castle. No or very dimly lit.

 

[ParksAndPixels]

Yeah. All too often. Memorial Day and the deaths of dignitaries are one thing. But having to lower the flags for these tragedies and even 9/11 every year is something else.

In recent years, every trip I've made into DC the flags were at half staff for some tragedy. I hate feeling like we are stuck into this all too frequent cycle.

 

[wdwfan22]

Universal Orlando closed the Forbidden Journey attraction tonight in honor of fallen team member Luis Vielma who was an attraction host.

 

[Matt_Black]

As a critic of Disney management, I must say that the Company deserves praise for its long-standing position on LGBT discrimination. In-house and in public, they're strongly against it. And it's no PR posturing -- they take action to back up their words, including risking the economic ire of certain demographics.

LA Times Op-Ed: Kudos to Disney for taking on LGBT discrimination in Georgia

The Walt Disney Co. this week joined a growing chorus of businesses urging Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to veto a bill that would sanction discrimination against gays and lesbians. But Disney went a step further, warning that it would stop film production in the state if the bill is signed into law. That's a serious risk to Georgia, a state that has spent years trying to build a film and television production business through generous tax credits.

Disney's leadership is commendable and its threat is powerful. The world's largest entertainment company, Disney (along with its subsidiary, Marvel Studio) has shot numerous big-budget films in the state. One Disney production alone — “Ant Man” — spent an estimated $106 million in Georgia and employed 3,579 residents. It is right that Disney should speak up on behalf of its LGBT employees and their families, many of whom may have to relocate to Georgia or work on location there for months at time, and who shouldn't have to fear discrimination. State officials in Georgia are eager to lure more lucrative film and TV productions; Deal even visited Los Angeles last year to pitch Georgia's tax credit program. But Disney's potential boycott, along with criticism from the Motion Picture Assn. of America and other major entertainment companies, should be a signal that Georgia needs to do more than offer financial incentives — it needs to safeguard the rights of LGBT people....​

They also pulled funding to the Boy Scouts because of that organization's stance on LGBT troop leaders.

 

[mistyj]

Perhaps a bit late to this discussion, but I thought I noticed most of the usual Disney social media mouthpieces had gone to Shanghai. Perhaps there is a bit of a to be expected disconnect with being in China.