Roy P. Disney, grandnephew of Walt Disney, revealed that his child is transgender in a fundraising email for the Human Rights Campaign.
“My wife, Sheri, and I have been members of HRC for over 20 years,” he reportedly wrote. “Equality matters deeply to us, especially because our child, Charlee, is transgender and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.”
“We were heartbroken when Ron DeSantis signed the ‘Don’t Say Gay or Trans’ law in Florida,” Disney continued in the email. “The fight isn’t over, and we are determined to do everything we can to stop this from happening in other places.”
Charlee Disney, a high school biology and environmental science teacher, told the LA Times, “I had very few openly gay role models.”
“And I certainly didn’t have any trans or nonbinary role models. I didn’t see myself reflected in anyone, and that made me feel like there was something wrong with me,” noting that this legislation will only make life harder for youth who feel similarly.
Roy Disney also said he would be matching up to $500,000 or more in an effort to raise $1 million for the HRC. Previously, Charlee announced they would match up to $250,000 in donations to the HRC at the organization’s March gala in Los Angeles, but they’ve since increased the pledge.
According to a report, the HRC rejected a March donation of $5 million from Disney CEO Bob Chapek until it builds “on [its] public commitment and work with LGBTQ+ advocates.”
According to the organization, it would like Disney “to ensure that dangerous proposals, like Florida’s Don’t Say Gay or Trans bill, don’t become dangerous laws, and if they do, to work to get them off the books.”
Reporting from The Washington Examiner.
