Around the same time, according to the complaint, “Plaintiff’s sexual orientation as a gay man became known to several individuals, including Plaintiff’s direct supervisor, Jim Hedges, the CFO of ABC.” In 2000, he was promoted to VP Production Finance for Touchstone TV. The named defendants are the Walt Disney Company, ABC Signature Studios, Inc., and Riverside Television Services LLC.Ĭurrently a VP Production Finance at the 2020-formed ABC Signature, Hopkins joined the company in 1994 as Director of Production Finance for Buena Vista TV. “Plaintiff is informed and believes that these promotions occurred despite representations that Disney was hurting financially and not promoting.”ĭisney To Livestream Avengers Campus Dedication At California Adventure On June 2 “After his sexual orientation became known to his superiors and after being discriminated against and put on a dead-end career track and repeatedly denied promotions with no remedy or relief from HR, Plaintiff is informed and believes that yet again, in or around April 2021, several promotions occurred, but Plaintiff once again was not promoted,” continues the 10-page filing for sexual orientation discrimination and failure to prevent discrimination in violation of California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act ( read the suit here). “Plaintiff has direct and repeated complaints to HR about the discrimination he has endured while employed by Defendants and, concomitantly, the related failures to promote him and to pay him at the same level as other department heads,” said the complaint filed by attorneys for Joel Hopkins in Los Angeles Superior Court on the first day of LGBTQ+ Pride month. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.Disney may be gearing up for its traditional celebration of Pride month, but on Tuesday a longtime executive has hit the House of Mouse with a lawsuit citing discrimination based on sexual orientation. We only include products that have been independently selected by Romper's editorial team. The toys, accessories, and blankets will keep all of that rainbow-colored Pride in your home and heart for the rest of the year. With Disney reopening, and the hope for Pride in person this year, we’re all going to want to be kitted out in our rainbow best, and Disney definitely made that a ton easier by offering all of these goodies. (It’s two statements in one, and I am here for it.)
I’m particularly excited about all of the new kids gear that they’re featuring, including a nifty cold shoulder tee shirt that will be just wonderful for when those vaccines become available for younger kids. This year, Disney is rolling out tons of new Pride merch in honor of all of us happy queers and our families, and it is practically perfect in every way.įrom hats to bags to Mickey Mouse ears, there is a little something gay and rainbow for everyone coming from the shops of the Magic Kingdom. Every store worth their salt has a pride line, and perhaps no one’s is more magical than Disney. Whether you’re LGBTQIA+ or an ally, Pride is one of the most exciting times of year for parades, parties, and of course, products.