Florida scraps Disney’s special status in ‘Don’t Say Gay’ feud
- Walt Disney Co set to lose self governing privileges in Florida after vote by state’s lawmakers
- Disney had condemned a law banning school discussion of LGBT issues, angering Florida’s governor
Florida’s legislature scrapped Disney’s self-governing status in its Orlando theme park, in a move widely seen as retaliation in a bitter row over what has become known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
The bill, which is expected to be signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, is the latest feint in a US culture war undertaken by the conservative presidential hopeful that has left Disney floundering.
“If Disney wants to pick a fight, they chose the wrong guy,” DeSantis wrote in a recent email to raise funds.
The trouble for the entertainment behemoth began in March, when the state government passed a law banning school lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity for small children.
The law – swiftly dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” – was part of a broader cultural battle that the Republican Party is waging as midterm elections in November approach.
Republicans are taking aim at news media, companies and Democratic politicians they accuse of trying to impose progressive ideology on others.