迪士尼堅持多元與包容，股東投票駁回退出HRC指數提案

華特迪士尼公司（The Walt Disney Co.）的股東在3月20日的年度股東大會上，以壓倒性多數投票支持公司繼續參與「人權運動」（Human Rights Campaign，HRC）企業平等指數（Corporate Equality Index）。此次投票結果顯示，僅有1%的股東贊成退出該指數，而這項指數是衡量企業在LGBTQ+友善政策和環境方面表現的重要標準。自2007年以來，HRC一直給予迪士尼極高的評分。

Disney Shareholders Overwhelmingly Support Continued Participation in HRC’s Corporate Equality Index

On March 20, 2024, shareholders of The Walt Disney Company overwhelmingly voted in favor of the company’s continued participation in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index, a key benchmark for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion. The vote result showed that only 1% of shareholders supported withdrawing from the index, reaffirming Disney’s long-standing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

企業平等指數長期以來一直是保守派團體批評的目標，部分企業在政治壓力下選擇不再參與該指數，以迎合反對多元、公平與包容（DEI）政策的聲音。然而，迪士尼股東此次的投票結果顯示，該公司依然堅持自身的企業社會責任，並未受到外界政治壓力影響。

The Corporate Equality Index has been a frequent target of conservative groups, with some companies opting to withdraw due to political pressure against DEI policies. However, Disney’s shareholders signaled that the company remains committed to its corporate social responsibility and unmoved by external political pressures.

這項提案是由美國國家公共政策研究中心（National Center for Public Policy Research）提出，該保守派智庫的一名代表在股東大會上發言時提及，右派評論員Robby Starbuck對HRC的關注是該提案的推動因素之一。

HRC對投票結果的回應：多元與包容帶來實際利益

針對迪士尼股東的決定，HRC企業公民副總裁Eric Bloem發表聲明指出：「儘管外界有許多雜音，但迪士尼股東們知道，對於多元與包容的承諾不僅能帶來象徵性的價值，也有助於提升公司實際的經濟表現。」

Conservative Opposition and the Proposal to Exit the Index

The proposal to exit the Corporate Equality Index was introduced by the National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank. A representative of the organization cited right-wing commentator Robby Starbuck’s criticisms of HRC as a driving factor behind the proposal.

迪士尼在2020年代之前，長期以來都自詡為LGBTQ+友善企業，甚至自1991年起便開始舉辦「同志日」（Gay Days）活動。該活動在2000年代和2010年代蓬勃發展，成為迪士尼品牌文化的一部分。

然而，2022年美國佛羅里達州州長羅恩·德桑蒂斯（Ron DeSantis）推出「家長權利教育法案」（Parental Rights in Education Act），也被批評者稱為「不要說同志」（Don't Say Gay）法案時，迪士尼因未及時反對該法案而受到員工和社會大眾的批評。該法案限制公立學校在特定年齡層的課堂上討論性取向和性別認同問題，許多LGBTQ+群體及其支持者認為這是一項歧視性法律。

在2022年的股東大會上，時任迪士尼執行長鮑勃·查佩克（Bob Chapek）承認，員工對公司未能及時表態感到失望，並表示公司已向德桑蒂斯州長表達關切。此後，迪士尼加入了HRC的「反對反LGBTQ+州級立法的商業聲明」（Business Statement Opposing Anti-LGBTQ+ State Legislation），與包括3M、Accenture、Amazon、Apple、CVS、Dow、Lyft、Nike、Patagonia、Target和Uber等超過300家企業共同發聲。

HRC’s Response: Inclusion is Good for Business

In response to the vote, HRC Vice President of Corporate Citizenship Eric Bloem stated:

"Despite the noise, Disney shareholders understand that a commitment to diversity and inclusion is not just symbolic - it drives real economic benefits."

Disney has long positioned itself as an LGBTQ+-friendly company, dating back to 1991 with its "Gay Days" events at its theme parks. These events grew significantly in the 2000s and 2010s, becoming an integral part of Disney’s brand identity.

Disney’s Political Turmoil in Florida

Disney’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion has also placed it at the center of political conflicts, most notably with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the controversial Parental Rights in Education Act - often referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.

在職場領域，Glassdoor、Intuit、LinkedIn、PwC、Salesforce、UKG、Upwork、Workday和Zoom等知名企業也簽署了HRC的倡議，展現對LGBTQ+員工的支持。

迪士尼與佛州的法庭之爭：企業價值與政治角力的縮影

迪士尼在2022年公開反對「不要說同志」法案後，與佛州政府的關係急劇惡化，導致公司與州政府在法院纏鬥多年，爭論焦點包括迪士尼在佛州旅遊業的角色及其稅務優惠政策。

When the law was introduced in 2022, Disney initially remained silent, which led to intense backlash from employees and activists. Then-CEO Bob Chapek later acknowledged the misstep at that year’s shareholder meeting, stating that employees were "disappointed" in the company’s delayed response. Following this, Disney signed HRC’s Business Statement Opposing Anti-LGBTQ+ State Legislation, joining over 300 major corporations such as Amazon, Apple, Nike, and Target in opposing the bill.

However, Disney’s delayed action also led to criticism from HRC itself. In March 2022, HRC publicly rejected donations from Disney, urging the company to take more proactive measures against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

有趣的是，當迪士尼在2022年最終採取行動，表態支持LGBTQ+群體時，HRC反而發表聲明譴責該公司，認為迪士尼的行動來得太晚。HRC在當年3月的一份聲明中表示，將拒絕接受來自迪士尼的捐款，直到迪士尼展現更積極的行動，例如與LGBTQ+倡議者合作，確保類似的反LGBTQ+法案不會變成法律，並積極努力推動撤銷已有的歧視性政策。

The Broader Implications of Disney’s Decision

HRC在聲明中強調：「我們鼓勵迪士尼以及所有企業繼續為他們的員工而奮鬥——許多勇敢的員工已經公開表達，他們對執行長當時的沉默感到無法接受。」

Disney’s continued participation in the Corporate Equality Index contrasts with a recent trend of companies scaling back DEI efforts due to political and legal pressures. Given the rise in reverse discrimination lawsuits and state-level restrictions on DEI programs, many businesses have reconsidered their approaches to diversity initiatives.

如今，在經歷數年的社會壓力、政治挑戰以及內部爭議後，迪士尼股東仍然選擇堅持參與HRC企業平等指數，表明該公司在全球範圍內依然重視多元、公平與包容價值觀。這一決定與當前一些企業因政治壓力而選擇淡化或撤回DEI策略的趨勢形成鮮明對比，可能象徵著迪士尼在企業社會責任方面的「回歸初心」，並進一步鞏固其作為全球娛樂產業領導者的品牌形象。

Despite these challenges, Disney’s shareholders reaffirmed the company’s commitment to DEI, signaling a potential "return to its core values". As one of the world’s most influential entertainment companies, Disney’s stance may serve as a benchmark for other corporations navigating the evolving landscape of corporate social responsibility.