Anti-DEI Disney Investors Press Vote on Abandoning LGBTQ Index

Walt Disney Co. shareholders are poised to vote on a proposal asking the entertainment giant to abandon the Human Rights Campaign rating that spotlights corporate LGBTQ practices.

The investor proposal, which will be presented Thursday at Disney’s annual meeting by the National Center for Public Policy Research, said the company should follow the lead of Lowe’s Cos. Inc., Ford Motor Co., and Harley-Davidson Inc. and leave the Corporate Equality Index, which ranks firms according to their benefits for LGBTQ employees. Those companies quit the index following pressure from conservative influencer Robby Starbuck, who has been targeting companies to roll back diversity efforts.

The bid comes amid the Trump administration’s directive to root out corporate diversity, equity and inclusion programs. In the face of those attacks, scores of businesses have retreated from their diversity pledges or changed how they talk about them.

Disney has a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign index’s website, which says, for example, that the company provides an LGBTQ benefits guide for its employees. Disney was in the spotlight in recent years over its public clash with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) after it opposed the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, which limits classroom discussion of sexual orientation.

Similar investor proposals from conservative groups such as the National Center for Public Policy Research typically haven’t secured more than 2% investor support, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The proposal pointed to the turmoil faced by Bud Light and Target amid a backlash for Pride-related advertising or merchandise.

Disney didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, but the company said in its proxy statement that the proposal was unnecessary, citing transparency it provides to shareholders on its participation in such surveys.

“Given the Company’s existing practices to assess participation in transparency efforts and the Board’s oversight of ESG reporting, workforce equity matters and human rights policies, we do not believe this proposal would provide additional value to shareholders,” the company’s board said.