Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shot back at Disney regarding the company’s public denouncements of legislation known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill this week in a video obtained by FOX News.
“You have companies, like a Disney, that are going to say and criticize parent’s rights, they are going to criticize the fact that we don’t want transgenderism in kindergarten and first grade classrooms,” said DeSantis in the video. “If that’s the hill that they’re going to die on, then how do they possibly explain lining their pockets with their relationship with the Communist Party of China?”
He added that Disney “doesn’t say a word,” about what he calls the “really brutal practices that you see, over there.”
The Disney World theme park and resort is located in Orlando, Fla.
Both the Florida House of Representatives and Senate have passed the “Parental Rights in Education” bill known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. It is set to become effective July 1.
According to a bill summary, the legislation requires establishment of “procedures to reinforce fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding upbringing [and] control of their children,” and more. It also prohibits classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through third grade.
“In the state of Florida, we are not going to allow them to inject transgenderism into kindergarten,” DeSantis said to cheers from group of supporters gathered in Boca Raton. “First graders shouldn’t have woke gender ideology imposed in their curriculums.”
Though it passed in the Florida legislature, the bill received significant backlash.
“If enacted, the bill would prevent teachers from providing a safe, inclusive classroom for all,” said a March 8 statement from the Human Rights Campaign. “It would block teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ issues or people, further stigmatizing LGBTQ+ people and isolating LGBTQ+ kids. This bill would also undermine existing protections for LGBTQ+ students.”
“I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are. I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve,” said President Joe Biden in a tweet about the bill.
Former CEO and Chairman of the Walt Disney Company Robert Iger shared the tweet last month.
At the same time, Disney remained silent on the issue for some time, according to Inside the Magic. Some fans felt it was a “slap in the face,” said the outlet.
“We understand how important this issue is to our LGBTQ+ employees and many others. For nearly a century, Disney has been a unifying force that brings people together. We are determined that it remains a place where everyone is treated with dignity and respect,” said a statement from Disney published March 8 by Inside the Magic. “The biggest impact we can have in creating a more inclusive world is through the inspiring content we produce, the welcoming culture we create here and the diverse community organizations we support, including those representing the LGBTQ+ community.”
Additionally, CNBC reported that current Disney CEO Bob Chapek addressed the company’s stance on the bill Wednesday during a shareholder meeting.
During the meeting, he said the company’s initial response “didn’t get the job done.”
Chapek told shareholders that he planned to meet with DeSantis.
He also said Disney would donate $5 million to organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, that work to protect LGTBQ+ rights.
“The Human Rights Campaign will not accept this money from Disney until we see them build on their public commitment and work with LGBTQ+ advocates to ensure that dangerous proposals, like Florida’s Don’t Say Gay or Trans bill, don’t become dangerous laws, and if they do, to work to get them off the books,” said the group in response.
DeSantis’ office confirmed that Chapek had called, CNBC said Wednesday. However, no meeting had been scheduled at that time.
“When you have companies that have made a fortune off being family friendly and catering to families and young kids, you know, they should understand that parents of young kids do not want this injected into their kid’s kindergarten classroom,” said DeSantis in the video. “They do not want their first graders to be told they can choose an opposite gender. That is not appropriate for those kids.”
“The parents, who are actually raising families, want to have their rights respected,” DeSantis added.
In a statement this week, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said “leaders in Florida are prioritizing hateful bills that hurt some of the students most in need,” and that his department “has made clear that all schools receiving federal funding must follow federal civil rights law, including Title IX’s protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Cardona and the Department of Education “urge Florida leaders to make sure all their students are protected and supported.”
However, DeSantis has said there is “zero chance” of him reversing his position on the bill.
“In Florida, our policies got to be based on the best interest of Florida citizens, not on the musing of woke corporations,” he said.
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