Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday signed legislation removing favorable status from the Disney World amusement park after the entertainment giant championed some progressive themes unpopular with elected Republicans.
This law should take effect in June 2023. As a reminder, since the 1960s, the amusement park has benefited from a special status which offers it a large autonomy of local management and exempts it from most state regulations. .
But relations between Ron DeSantis and Disney have deteriorated recently following public statements by Bob Chapek, the CEO of Disney, against a law promoted by the governor and prohibiting the teaching of subjects related to sexual orientation or identity. gender in primary school. This text is nicknamed by its opponents “Don’t say gay”, in French: “Do not speak of gays”.
Adverse consequences
Initially, Bob Chapek was reluctant to take a position on the text, according to a leaked internal memo. Disney employees then protested against the group’s “apathy” and calls for a boycott began circulating on social media, eventually leading the CEO to come out against the law.
Disney’s theme park near Orlando is among the most visited in the world and the Disney brand remains a favorite with Americans.
With its special status, Disney guaranteed a number of essential public services such as garbage collection or water treatment, and some elected officials fear that revoking this status will result in a transfer of debt to local governments.