Disney Faces Sexual Orientation Discrimination Lawsuit
A TV producer is suing Disney for sexual orientation discrimination. The longtime executive claims that he has faced numerous forms of discrimination and mistreatment over the past several years.
The allegations come as Disney gears up to celebrate Pride month. According to the complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Joel Hopkins “has made 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.”
Hopkins has been employed with Disney since 1994 and received two promotions within his first six years. He states that since his sexual orientation became known he has “experienced an ongoing pattern of discrimination, including, but not limited to, being passed over for promotions and not being paid at a level commensurate with department heads.”
Hopkins is currently VP Production Finance with ABC Signature, a branch of Walt Disney Television. He is seeking an unspecified amount for “compensatory damages including damages for lost wages, lost employee benefits, bonuses, vacation benefits, medical expenses, pain, suffering and emotional distress, and other special and general damages according to proof at trial.” Disney has not commented on the allegations.
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