Bob Chapek, the CEO of Walt Disney apologized to employees in a memo, on Friday for the “painful silence” when the state of Florida passed the Parental Rights in Education Bill also referred to as the Don’t Say Gay bill. The bill has already been approved and awaits a signature from governor Ron DeSantis to become law.

According to a report by the BBC, Chapek apologized for letting his employees down when they needed him to be a “stronger ally in the fight for equal rights.” This apology comes as there is internal dissension about how “gay affection” is generally cut from a few Disney films.

Earlier, he had said that “corporate statements do very little to change outcomes or minds” and the company’s involvement would make it “a political football.” This statement drew huge criticism from animators and others who called it a huge “misstep.”

LGBT leaders had been asking the leadership at Disney to speak out against the bill which they termed as “bigoted legislation” while they profited from the same community. Disney is a major tourist attraction in the Sunshine State. Its flagship Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is a major employer. About 77,000 Floridians work at the resort.

Chapek tried to undo the criticism he faced from shareholders and employees by mentioning that he had spoken to the governor about his concerns. He also pledged a donation of $5 million to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) advocacy group but the LGBT advocacy group declined to accept the donation and asked Disney to take “meaningful action” against the legislation.

Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida spoke at a rally and said that Disney had fallen for “phony hysteria” and wanted to placate angry liberals.

When asked for confirmation by the outlet, the governor’s office said that he had taken a call from the office of Mr. Chapek. It also mentioned that the bill would be signed.