Calia’s influence at the Mouse House is strong due to his leadership of Disney’s In-Home Creative Team, and he’s devoted any extra energy to inspire companywide change. Calia was a powerful voice within Disney following the passing of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, participating in conversations with senior leadership and Disney’s Chairman on how to move forward from those losses with positivity. He hopes young people today will be able to watch Disney content and have moments like when he saw the “Puppy” episode of “Ellen” in 1997. “Watching those first moments of coming out brought me back to that moment in my history,” he says. “It was an incredibly brave, honest and historical moment in the media landscape. That episode allowed our community to continue to show up authentically.”
How does your company encourage employees to bring their true selves to work? The Walt Disney Company has fully embraced Diversity and Inclusion. Different perspectives and experiences are not only recognized but encouraged. The company has provided resources, built communities and really listened to and taken the time to embrace their LGBTQ+ cast members.
Advice for allies on how to show up for their LGBTQ+ colleagues? Be curious. It’s ok to ask questions and gain different perspectives. We may have had different paths but it will only make the relationship stronger when we seek to understand our differing life experiences.
Favorite media milestone moment in LGBTQ+ history? The “Puppy” episode of the show Ellen. It was groundbreaking primetime television in 1997. I remember watching it and thinking it was the first time I saw a member of the LGBTQ+ community being represented authentically. Watching those first moments of coming out brought me back to that moment in my history. It was an incredibly brave, honest and historical moment in the media landscape. That episode allowed our community to continue to show up authentically. We all will be forever grateful for Ellen’s strength and bravery. She changed history.