Disney and Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act#Response from Disney

{{Short description|Disney's involvement with Florida state law}}

From March 2022 until June 2024,{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/12/business/disney-desantis-agreement.html |title=Disney and DeSantis Reach Agreement, Ending Protracted Fight |date=June 12, 2024 |last=Barnes |first=Brooks |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 12, 2024}} The Walt Disney Company was involved in a feud with Florida governor Ron DeSantis and the state's Republican Party over Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill. While initially a donor to some of the politicians who voted in favor of the Act, after its passage Disney spoke out against the bill and called for it to be repealed.

The provisions of the Parental Rights in Education Act prohibit classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten to 3rd grade in Florida public school districts, or instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in a manner that is not "age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students" in any grade. On March 7, 2022, Disney CEO Bob Chapek declared that the company would not take a public stance on the bill and would instead focus on effecting change through the commercial content it produces. However, some individuals associated with Disney spoke out against its stance. Following the controversy, Disney reinstated a same-sex kiss in Pixar's 2022 film Lightyear, hosted a town hall meeting to discuss the bill's impact on company employees and their families, and promised to challenge the bill.

Responding to Disney's disapproval of the law, DeSantis and Florida lawmakers threatened to repeal the Reedy Creek Improvement Act, a special district giving Disney further authoritative control over the area surrounding Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. A bill was passed in the state's house and senate chambers which repealed the special district, which was signed by DeSantis in April 2022. In response to the bill and further legislation against Disney, the company filed suit against DeSantis, claiming that the legislation was politically motivated and limited the free speech of the company, however the judge ultimately ruled in favor of DeSantis on January 31, 2024.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2024/biz/news/disney-ron-desantis-first-amendment-1235847696/|title=Disney Loses First Amendment Fight With Ron DeSantis in Federal Court|first=Gene|last=Maddus|publisher=Variety|date=January 31, 2024|accessdate=January 31, 2024}} A spokesperson for Disney said the company was undeterred by the ruling and intended to press forward with their case. The next day, Disney filed an appeal to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2024/biz/news/disney-ron-desantis-first-amendment-1235847696/|title=Disney Loses First Amendment Fight With Ron DeSantis in Federal Court|first=Gene|last=Maddus|publisher=Variety|date=January 31, 2024|accessdate=January 31, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/disney-lawsuit-against-desantis-dismissed-why-explainer-rcna136622|title=Disney files appeal after federal judge dismissed its lawsuit against DeSantis|first=Rob|last=Wile|publisher=NBC News|date=February 1, 2024|accessdate=February 13, 2024}} On March 27, 2024, Disney settled its pending state court lawsuits with DeSantis. Per the agreement, Disney put the appeal of their federal lawsuit on hold while negotiations regarding a new development agreement with Florida play out. However, no alterations to Disney's appeal of the federal lawsuit were made.{{cite news |last=Whelan |first=Robbie |last2=De Avila |first2=Joseph |date=March 27, 2024 |title=Disney Succumbs to Ron DeSantis in Fight Over Florida Tax District |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/media/disney-reaches-settlement-with-florida-tax-district-backed-by-ron-desantis-6dd03acf |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=}}{{Cite news |last=Schneider |first=Mike |date=March 27, 2024 |title=Settlement reached in lawsuit between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' allies |language=en-US |work=AP News |url=https://apnews.com/article/disney-florida-ron-desantis-settlement-91040178ad4708939e621dd57bc5e494 |access-date=March 28, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Rozsa |first=Lori |last2=Gregg |first2=Aaron |date=March 27, 2024 |title=DeSantis tourism board, Disney reach settlement to end legal feud |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/03/27/desantis-disney-lawsuit-settlement-tourism/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250111051354/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/03/27/desantis-disney-lawsuit-settlement-tourism/ |archive-date=11 January 2025 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=The Washington Post |language=en-US}} The settlement came a day after DeSantis replaced two Disney critics on the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District with two Disney supporters{{Cite web |last=Maxwell |first=Scott |date=April 4, 2024 |title=Did Disney or DeSantis win their big fight? Yes. |url=https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2024/04/04/did-disney-or-desantis-win-their-big-fight-yes/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=Tampa Bay Times |publisher= |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Mike |date=2024-03-27 |title=Settlement reached in lawsuit between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' allies |url=https://apnews.com/article/disney-florida-ron-desantis-settlement-91040178ad4708939e621dd57bc5e494 |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=AP News |language=en}} and two weeks after the State of Florida settled a separate lawsuit with advocates, overturning a "large part" of the law, and clarifying the law's scope to allow for discussions and books about LGBTQ rights and people, with both sides claiming victory.{{Cite web |last=Prieur |first=Danielle |date=March 12, 2024 |title=Court overturns large part of Florida's so-called 'don't say gay' law |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/03/12/1238113992/court-overturns-large-part-of-floridas-so-called-dont-say-gay-law#:~:text=Starting%20today%2C%20students%20and%20teachers,Parental%20Rights%20in%20Education%20Law. |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=NPR |publisher= |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Epstein |first=Kayla |date=March 12, 2024 |title=Florida settles lawsuit over LGBT education bill |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68541059.amp |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=BBC |publisher= |language=en-US}}

Background

On February 24, 2022, the Florida House of Representatives passed the Parental Rights in Education Act with 69 in favor and 47 against.{{Cite news |last=Alfonseca |first=Kiara |date=February 24, 2022 |title=Florida House passes controversial 'Don't Say Gay' bill |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/florida-house-passes-controversial-dont-gay-bill/story?id=83090590 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311054208/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/florida-house-passes-controversial-dont-gay-bill/story?id=83090590 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |publisher=ABC News}} Commonly referred to as the "Don't Say Gay" bill by its opponents, it prevents public schools from holding discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity, stating that lessons "may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards". The latter passage has been criticized for its vague language, as it "could be interpreted to extend to all grade levels",{{Cite news |last=Woodward |first=Alex |date=March 16, 2022 |title=Disney workers stage daily walkouts to protest 'Don't Say Gay' and demand protections for LGBT+ staff |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/disney-employees-walkout-dont-say-gay-b2037581.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316212615/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/disney-employees-walkout-dont-say-gay-b2037581.html |archive-date=March 16, 2022 |access-date=March 17, 2022 |website=The Independent}} and potentially forbid students from discussing their lives within a classroom setting.{{Cite news |last1=Popat |first1=Shrai |last2=Honderich |first2=Holly |date=March 8, 2022 |title=Florida lawmakers pass 'Don't Say Gay' bill |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60576847 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310185459/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60576847 |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |publisher=BBC}} The bill will also allow parents to sue teachers or schools for engaging with these topics. On March 8, the bill passed the Florida Senate{{Cite news |last1=Sopelsa |first1=Brooke |last2=Bellamy-Walker |first2=Tat |date=March 8, 2022 |title='Don't Say Gay' bill: Florida Senate passes controversial LGBTQ school measure |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/dont-say-gay-bill-florida-senate-passes-controversial-lgbtq-school-mea-rcna19133 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310131540/https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/dont-say-gay-bill-florida-senate-passes-controversial-lgbtq-school-mea-rcna19133 |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |publisher=NBC News}} and was signed by the governor, Ron DeSantis, on March 28.{{Cite web|url=https://flgov.com/2022/03/28/governor-ron-desantis-signs-historic-bill-to-protect-parental-rights-in-education/|title=Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Historic Bill to Protect Parental Rights in Education}}

The Orlando Sentinel reported in February 2022 that The Walt Disney Company has donated money to all of the bill's sponsors and cosponsors,{{Cite magazine |last=Watercutter |first=Angela |date=March 12, 2022 |title=The Hypocrisy of Disney's Response to Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Bill |url=https://www.wired.com/story/disney-florida-dont-say-gay/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312184007/https://www.wired.com/story/disney-florida-dont-say-gay/ |archive-date=March 12, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |magazine=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast}} with The Verge reporting that the donations have totaled around $200,000.{{Cite news |last=Pulliam-Moore |first=Charles |date=March 11, 2022 |title=Disney's queer characters won't hide its funding of real villains |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/10/22967765/disney-dont-say-gay-bill-chapek-florida-hrc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311011510/https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/10/22967765/disney-dont-say-gay-bill-chapek-florida-hrc |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media}} On March 7, Disney CEO Bob Chapek released an internal statement proclaiming the company would stand by its LGBT employees,{{Cite web |last=Radulovic |first=Petrana |date=March 7, 2022 |title=Owl House creator Dana Terrace is 'fucking tired of making Disney look good' |url=https://www.polygon.com/22965995/owl-house-dana-terrace-disney-dont-say-gay-disney-bob-chapek |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310172413/https://www.polygon.com/22965995/owl-house-dana-terrace-disney-dont-say-gay-disney-bob-chapek |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media}} but it would not be taking a public stance either condemning or supporting the bill. According to Chapek, Disney can have its biggest impact in "creating a more inclusive world [...] through the inspiring content [the company] produce[s]".

A day after the bill passed, Chapek condemned the legislation and offered a donation of $5 million to the LGBT advocacy group Human Rights Campaign (HRC),{{Cite news |date=March 11, 2022 |title=Disney apologises for 'silence' on 'Don't Say Gay' bill |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60714063 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312202224/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60714063 |archive-date=March 12, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |publisher=BBC}} which was refused by the organization until further action against anti-LGBT legislation was taken;{{Cite news |last=Faughnder |first=Ryan |date=March 10, 2022 |title=Disney employees 'hurt' and 'angry' over CEO's response to Florida LGBTQ bill |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-03-10/disney-employees-hurt-and-angry-over-ceos-response-to-florida-lgbtq-bill |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311053245/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-03-10/disney-employees-hurt-and-angry-over-ceos-response-to-florida-lgbtq-bill |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times }} however, HRC did acknowledge that the donation was a first step.{{Cite news |last=White |first=Abbey |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Human Rights Campaign Refuses Disney Donation Until More Action Is Taken on "Don't Say Gay" Bill |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/human-rights-campaign-disney-donation-dont-say-gay-bill-1235108263/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310181200/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/human-rights-campaign-disney-donation-dont-say-gay-bill-1235108263/ |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=Penske Media Corporation}}

Criticism of Disney

Disney's actions of donating money to the bill's sponsors drew criticism from various organizations and individuals associated with the company. Among the first to speak out against Disney's actions was Dana Terrace; the creator of the Disney Channel series The Owl House, who criticized Disney's decision. Other individuals that would go on to denounce Disney's and Chapek's stance include DuckTales writer Benjamin Siemon, Walt Disney's grandniece Abigail Disney, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. producer Drew Z. Greenberg, The Ghost and Molly McGee creator Bill Motz, and Andi Mack star Lilan Bowden.{{Cite news |last=White |first=Abbey |date=March 11, 2022 |title=Inside Disney's Chaotic "Don't Say Gay" Bill Response |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/disney-lgbtq-animation-industry-bob-chapek-dont-say-gay-bill-1235108485/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312212631/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/disney-lgbtq-animation-industry-bob-chapek-dont-say-gay-bill-1235108485/ |archive-date=March 12, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=Penske Media Corporation}} In response to the bill's passage and Disney's stance, Terrace held a live charity stream on March 13, 2022, with the proceeds going to LGBT organizations;{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Matt |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Disney Animators Protest Company's Stance on Controversial Florida Law [Update] |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/disney-employee-protest-florida-dont-say-gay-bill |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312023734/https://www.ign.com/articles/disney-employee-protest-florida-dont-say-gay-bill |archive-date=March 12, 2022 |access-date=March 14, 2022 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}}{{Cite web |last=King |first=Jade` |date=March 11, 2022 |title=Queer Kids Deserve So Much Better Than Disney |url=https://www.thegamer.com/queer-kids-disney-dont-say-gay-bill-florida/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313163819/https://www.thegamer.com/queer-kids-disney-dont-say-gay-bill-florida/ |archive-date=March 13, 2022 |access-date=March 14, 2022 |website=TheGamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}} the charity raised $70,000 for the Zebra Coalition.{{Cite web |last=King |first=Jade |date=March 15, 2022 |title=The Owl House Season 2B: All The New Screenshots, Episode Titles, And What To Expect |url=https://www.thegamer.com/the-owl-house-season-2b-screenshots-episodes-story-trailer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315030721/https://www.thegamer.com/the-owl-house-season-2b-screenshots-episodes-story-trailer/ |archive-date=March 15, 2022 |access-date=March 15, 2022 |website=TheGamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}

Many of Disney's subsidiaries have denounced the bill and the company's stance. A statement attributed to "the LGBTQIA+ employees of Pixar, and their allies" was released,{{Cite news |last1=Vary |first1=Adam B. |last2=Jackson |first2=Angelique |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Disney Censors Same-Sex Affection in Pixar Films, According to Letter From Employees |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/disney-pixar-same-sex-affection-censorship-dont-say-gay-bill-1235200582/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311130256/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/disney-pixar-same-sex-affection-censorship-dont-say-gay-bill-1235200582/ |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |website=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation}} where it is stated that "beautiful stories, full of diverse characters, come back from Disney corporate reviews shaved down to crumbs of what they once were".{{Cite news |last=Bricken |first=Rob |date=March 11, 2022 |title=Pixar Blasts Disney for Censoring Its LGBTQ Content |url=https://gizmodo.com/pixar-disney-lgbtq-dont-say-gay-bill-backlash-1848634269 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311031820/https://gizmodo.com/pixar-disney-lgbtq-dont-say-gay-bill-backlash-1848634269 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |website=Gizmodo |publisher=G/O Media}}{{Cite web |last=Tapp |first=Tom |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Internal Pixar Letter Disputes Disney's Support Of LGBTQIA+ Employees & Questions Company's Commitment to Change |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/disney-chapek-employees-dont-say-gay-1234975078/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310175705/https://deadline.com/2022/03/disney-chapek-employees-dont-say-gay-1234975078/ |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation}} They further criticized Chapek's statement about the biggest impact Disney can have being through its inclusive content, by revealing that "nearly every moment of overtly gay affection is cut at Disney’s behest, regardless of when there is protest from both the creative teams and executive leadership at Pixar".{{Cite web |last=Massoto |first=Erick |date=March 10, 2022 |title=Pixar Employees Pen Letter Calling Out Disney For Removing "Gay Affection" From Films |url=https://collider.com/pixar-disney-letter-dont-say-gay-bill/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310204714/https://collider.com/pixar-disney-letter-dont-say-gay-bill/ |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |website=Collider}}{{Cite news |last=Shutler |first=Ali |date=March 12, 2022 |title=Disney apologises for "painful silence" on 'Don't Say Gay' bill |url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/disney-apologises-for-painful-silence-on-dont-say-gay-bill-3181167 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312183429/https://www.nme.com/news/film/disney-apologises-for-painful-silence-on-dont-say-gay-bill-3181167 |archive-date=March 12, 2022 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |website=NME |publisher=NME Networks}} Marvel Studios also "denounce[d] any and ALL legislation that infringes on the basic human rights of the LGBTQIA+ community".{{Cite news |last=PA Media |date=March 16, 2022 |title=Marvel denounces 'Don't Say Gay' bill after Disney apology |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/mar/16/marvel-denounces-dont-say-gay-bill-after-disney-apology |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317055707/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/mar/16/marvel-denounces-dont-say-gay-bill-after-disney-apology |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |website=The Guardian }}

In response to Disney's stance, many employees planned to stage 15-minute digital walkouts starting on March 16, culminating with a day-long walkout on March 22.{{Cite news |last=Pulliam-Moore |first=Charles |date=March 15, 2022 |title=Disney employees are staging walkouts over Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/15/22979440/disney-dont-say-gay-where-is-chapek-walkout |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316011453/https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/15/22979440/disney-dont-say-gay-where-is-chapek-walkout |archive-date=March 16, 2022 |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media}} In an open letter, Disney's response was criticized for having "utterly failed to match the magnitude of the threat to LGBTQIA+ safety represented by [the bill]", as well as failing to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion as one of its core values, despite claiming to do so. The protest organizers set up a website including a list of "demands for [Disney] to take to regain the trust of the LGBTQIA+ community and employees",{{Cite news |last=Faughnder |first=Ryan |date=March 15, 2022 |title=Disney LGBTQ employees plan walkout over Florida bill |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-03-15/disney-lgbtq-employees-plan-walkout-over-florida-bill |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316180821/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-03-15/disney-lgbtq-employees-plan-walkout-over-florida-bill |archive-date=March 16, 2022 |access-date=March 17, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times }} such as the company ceasing donations to politicians that helped create and pass the bill. Another demand is for Disney to create an in-house brand that focuses on "LGBTQ+ creators and underrepresented voices", similarly to The Onyx Collective, which focuses on creators of color.{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Vanessa |title=Disney employees are planning a week of walkouts over the Don't Say Gay bill |url=https://www.mic.com/impact/disney-walkout-dont-say-gay-florida |website=Mic |publisher=Bustle Digital Group |access-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317180208/https://www.mic.com/impact/disney-walkout-dont-say-gay-florida |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |date=March 16, 2022 |url-status=live}}

In response to Disney's changed stance on the bill, including condemnation of the legislation by Chapek and other Disney leaders,{{cite web|last=Blair|first=Elizabeth|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/08/1085130633/disney-response-florida-bill-dont-say-gay|title=After protests, Disney CEO speaks out against Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill|website=NPR|date=March 8, 2022|access-date=December 21, 2023}} Laura Ingraham, an American conservative television host, and Sean Feucht, an American Christian singer, songwriter, were critical of the company, claiming its actions "sexualized" children, with Feucht even holding rallies outside the headquarters of the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California and Disneyland in Anaheim. Christopher Rufo, an American conservative activist, also said that he and other conservatives are waging a "moral war against Disney" and declared that their actions aim to target the company's "public reputation." Additionally, The Daily Wire, a conservative publication, announced a plan to invest $100 million over a three-year period in a streaming platform with live-action and animated content for children to draw in some of those who watched Disney programs.{{cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/daily-wire-100-million-kids-entertainment-disney-1235219678/#!|title=Right-Wing Media Outlet Daily Wire Claims It Will Invest $100 Million in Kids' Content to Counter 'Woke' Disney Fare That Is 'Brainwashing' Children|website=Variety|date=March 30, 2022|access-date=April 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413123355/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/daily-wire-100-million-kids-entertainment-disney-1235219678/|archive-date=April 13, 2022|url-status=live}} Some argued that the current criticism by such individuals and groups has "strong echoes" of anti-Disney protests by religious leaders in the late 1990s.{{cite web|last=Faughnder|first=Ralph|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-04-15/in-disney-desantis-feud-echoes-of-a-long-culture-war-with-the-religious-right|title=In Disney's DeSantis feud, echoes of a culture war that never died|website=Los Angeles Times|date=April 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415150347/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2022-04-15/in-disney-desantis-feud-echoes-of-a-long-culture-war-with-the-religious-right|archive-date=April 15, 2022|access-date=April 15, 2022|url-status=live}}

Response from Disney

In response to the controversy surrounding Disney's involvement in the bill, the company reinstated a previously deleted kiss between two female characters in Pixar's then upcoming film Lightyear.{{cite web |last1=Vary |first1=Adam B. |title=Same-Sex Kiss Restored in Pixar's 'Lightyear' Following Staff Uproar Over 'Don't Say Gay' Bill (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/pixar-lightyear-same-sex-kiss-1235209179/ |website=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319041828/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/pixar-lightyear-same-sex-kiss-1235209179/ |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |date=March 18, 2022 |url-status=live}}

Disney hosted a town hall meeting on March 21 to discuss the subject with company employees, specifically the impact it can have on them and their families. The company plans to relocate around 2,000 workers from California to Florida.{{cite web |last1=Palmeri |first1=Christopher |last2=Wanna |first2=Carly |title=Disney to Meet With Staff After Outcry Over Stand on LGBTQ Bill |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-20/disney-to-meet-with-staff-after-outcry-over-stand-on-lgbtq-bill |website=Bloomberg News |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |access-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220321133218/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-20/disney-to-meet-with-staff-after-outcry-over-stand-on-lgbtq-bill |archive-date=March 21, 2022 |date=March 20, 2022 |url-status=live }} The meeting is part of the Reimagine Tomorrow campaign, which aims to promote diversity and inclusion at Disney.{{cite web |last1=Hayes |first1=Dade |last2=D'Alessandro |first2=Anthony |title=Disney Postpones Management Retreat As CEO Bob Chapek Continues To Account For Company's "Don't Say Gay" Bill Response |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/disney-postpones-management-retreat-ceo-bob-chapek-continues-outreach-town-hall-florida-dont-say-gay-bill-lgbtq-1234983486/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=March 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323181557/https://deadline.com/2022/03/disney-postpones-management-retreat-ceo-bob-chapek-continues-outreach-town-hall-florida-dont-say-gay-bill-lgbtq-1234983486/ |archive-date=March 23, 2022|date=March 21, 2022|url-status=live}} General Entertainment content president Karey Burke stated that Disney intends to produce content with "many LGBTQIA characters" in the future.{{cite web |last1=Meek |first1=Andy |title=The Daily Wire, For The First Time, Reveals The Size Of Its Paid Subscriber Base |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andymeek/2022/04/09/the-daily-wire-for-the-first-time-reveals-the-size-of-its-paid-subscriber-base/ |website=Forbes |publisher=Integrated Whale Media Investments |access-date=April 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412082505/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andymeek/2022/04/09/the-daily-wire-for-the-first-time-reveals-the-size-of-its-paid-subscriber-base/?sh=59d0c3514a2a |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |date=April 9, 2022 |url-status=live}}

After DeSantis signed the bill, Disney released a statement that its goal is for the law to be repealed or struck down.{{cite web |last1=Durkee |first1=Alison |title=Disney Says Striking Down 'Don't Say Gay' Law Is Company's 'Goal' After DeSantis Signs Bill |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2022/03/28/disney-says-striking-down-dont-say-gay-law-is-companys-goal-after-desantis-signs-bill/ |website=Forbes |publisher=Integrated Whale Media Investments |access-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403123050/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2022/03/28/disney-says-striking-down-dont-say-gay-law-is-companys-goal-after-desantis-signs-bill/?sh=1f28949c55c0 |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |date=March 28, 2022 |url-status=live}} Disney also paused their contributions to Florida political campaigns as they assessed their "approach to advocacy, including political giving in Florida."{{cite web |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/09/business/disney-ceo-florida-lgbtq-bill.html|title= Disney C.E.O. Says Company Is 'Opposed' to Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Bill|last= Barnes|first= Brooks|date= April 21, 2022|website=New York Times|quote= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422075751/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/09/business/disney-ceo-florida-lgbtq-bill.html |archive-date=April 22, 2022 |url-status=live}}

On April 26, 2023, Disney filed a lawsuit against DeSantis and his oversight board.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/disney-florida-lawsuit-1235402731/|title=Disney Sues Ron DeSantis Over Florida Special District|first=Winston|last=Cho|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 26, 2023|accessdate=April 26, 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Contorno |first=Eric Bradner,Steve |date=April 26, 2023 |title=Disney sues DeSantis and oversight board after vote to nullify agreement with special taxing district {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/26/politics/disney-desantis-reedy-creek-power/index.html |access-date=April 26, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}} DeSantis responded to the lawsuit by claiming that it was politically motivated.{{Cite news|date=April 27, 2023 |title=Florida Gov. DeSantis says Disney lawsuit is political |url=https://apnews.com/article/desantis-disney-florida-israel-2024-a9bd3f2f634d4c973c8ce3e5c8c2936e |access-date=April 30, 2023 |website=Associated Press |language=en|last1=Edri|first1=Moshe|last2=Goldenberg|first2=Tia}}

Response from state government

{{See also|Reedy Creek Improvement District#Abolition|Reedy Creek Improvement Act#Repeal}}

In response to Disney's announcement of opposition to the law, DeSantis and Florida lawmakers threatened to repeal the 1967 Reedy Creek Improvement Act, which established the area surrounding the Walt Disney World Resort, the Reedy Creek Improvement District, as its own governmental authority which has same authority and responsibilities as a county government without burdening the Floridian tax payer.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2022/03/31/heres-how-florida-republicans-could-punish-disney-for-dont-say-gay-opposition/?sh=18813a7019c4|title=Here's How Florida Republicans Could Punish Disney For 'Don't Say Gay' Opposition|first=Alison|last=Durke|work=Forbes|date=April 1, 2022|accessdate=April 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331212910/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2022/03/31/heres-how-florida-republicans-could-punish-disney-for-dont-say-gay-opposition/|archive-date=March 31, 2022|url-status=live}} The repeal of this act would result in the dissolution of the Reedy Creek Improvement District and mean that the infrastructure and municipal services surrounding Walt Disney World would be absorbed by other neighbouring counties, including the estimated $1 billion in debt.{{Cite web |last=Whitten |first=Sarah |title=Florida Republicans vote to dissolve Disney's special district, eliminating privileges and setting up a legal battle |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/21/florida-set-to-dissolve-disneys-reedy-creek-special-district.html |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=CNBC |date=April 21, 2022 |language=en}}

On April 19, 2022, DeSantis extended the scope of a special legislative session regarding congressional redistricting to include examination of consideration of special districts like Reedy Creek. Republican Representative Randy Fine filed House Bill 3-C{{cite web|url=https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022C/3C/|title=Florida House Details of 3-C|website=Florida Senate|date=April 20, 2022|access-date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422133111/https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022C/3C/|archive-date=April 22, 2022|url-status=live}} The PDF of the bill is [https://web.archive.org/web/20220422132704/https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022C/3/Amendment/189965/PDF here]. that would dissolve any "special independent district" established before the November 5, 1968, ratification of the Constitution of Florida. The dissolution would occur on June 1, 2023,{{cite web |title=Senate Bill 4C (2022C) |url=https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022C/4 |access-date=April 20, 2022 |website=Florida Senate}}{{cite web |date=April 20, 2022 |title=Florida Senate passes bill to dissolve Disney's 'independent special district' in special session |url=https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2022/04/19/florida-special-session-desantis-disney-reedy-creek}} and any districts that wished to be re-established could do so via the process in existing law. Rep. Fine claimed that the measure would only impact five districts in the state of Florida and that the Reedy Creek district was the only one involving a "high-profile" corporation.{{cite web |last1=Campo-Flores |first1=Arian |last2=Whelan |first2=Robbie |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Florida Gov. DeSantis Seeks to End Walt Disney World's Special Tax District |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/florida-gov-desantis-seeks-to-end-walt-disney-worlds-special-tax-district-11650381041 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420192344/https://www.wsj.com/articles/florida-gov-desantis-seeks-to-end-walt-disney-worlds-special-tax-district-11650381041 |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |access-date=April 21, 2022 |website=Wall Street Journal}} The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that Fine has a love-hate relationship with Disney, noting that after Walt Disney World re-opened after COVID-19 shutdowns in Florida, he described the theme park as an "engine of our economy."{{cite web|last=Lemongello|first=Steven|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/os-ne-randy-fine-disney-world-desantis-20220420-2pm33sv7xzae7pekjrcxbk3abi-story.html|title=Sponsor of bill to kill Disney tax district has a love-hate history with theme park giant|website=South Florida Sun Sentinel|date=April 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421112534/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/os-ne-randy-fine-disney-world-desantis-20220420-2pm33sv7xzae7pekjrcxbk3abi-story.html|archive-date=April 21, 2022|url-status=live}}

Also on April 19, Republican State Senator Jennifer Bradley filed two bills: Senate Bill 4-C (an identical bill to House Bill 3-C in the Florida State Senate),{{cite web|url=https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022C/4C|title=Florida Senate Bill Details of 4-C|website=Florida Senate|date=April 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422133748/https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022C/4C/BillText/er/HTML|archive-date=April 22, 2022|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=April 21, 2022}}The PDF of the bill is . and Senate Bill 6-C, which eliminates the exemption to Florida's 2021 anti-deplatforming Senate Bill 7072{{cite web|url=https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2021/7072|title=Florida Senate Bill Details of 7072|access-date=April 22, 2022|website=Florida Senate|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421201042/https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2021/7072|archive-date=April 21, 2022|url-status=live}} for any owners of "theme park or entertainment complexes." At the time, the exemption was added to exclude Disney+'s service from the regulations.{{cite web |url= https://www.cltampa.com/news/floridas-big-tech-crackdown-bill-goes-to-desantis-but-with-a-special-exemption-for-disney-12443599|title= Florida's 'Big Tech' crackdown bill goes to DeSantis, but with a special exemption for Disney|last= Saunders|first= Jim|date= April 21, 2022 |website=CLTampa |quote= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422135145/https://www.cltampa.com/news/floridas-big-tech-crackdown-bill-goes-to-desantis-but-with-a-special-exemption-for-disney-12443599 |archive-date=April 22, 2022 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/04/new-florida-law-banning-tech-from-deplatforming-politicians-is-a-mess/|title= Disney gets special "theme park" exception to Florida's anti-tech bill|last= Lee|first= Timothy B. |website=Ars Technica |date= April 21, 2022|quote= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421034031/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/04/new-florida-law-banning-tech-from-deplatforming-politicians-is-a-mess/ |archive-date=April 21, 2022 |url-status=live}} The Tampa Bay Times reported that the staff of DeSantis helped write the exemption included in the 2021 bill.{{cite web|last=Mahoney|first=Emily L.|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2022/04/02/desantis-slammed-a-special-disney-carveout-his-staff-helped-write-it/|title=DeSantis slammed a special Disney carveout. His staff helped write it.|date=April 2, 2022|access-date=April 22, 2022|website=Tampa Bay Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403035752/https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2022/04/02/desantis-slammed-a-special-disney-carveout-his-staff-helped-write-it/|archive-date=April 3, 2022|url-status=live}} In July 2021, Judge Robert Hinkle of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida put the law on hold arguing it compels "providers to host speech that violates their standards" and described it as a restriction on the First Amendment.{{cite web|last=Ingram|first=David|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/federal-judge-puts-florida-deplatforming-law-hold-citing-first-amendme-rcna1288|title=Federal judge puts Florida 'deplatforming' law on hold, citing First Amendment|website=NBC News|date=June 30, 2021|access-date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419214037/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/federal-judge-puts-florida-deplatforming-law-hold-citing-first-amendme-rcna1288|archive-date=April 19, 2022|url-status=live}}

On April 20, 2022, the Florida State Senate passed Senate Bill 4-C, by a vote of 23–16 and Senate Bill 6-C, by a vote of 24–15. It was then sent to the Florida House of Representatives for approval. The House of Representatives approved the bill on April 21 by a vote of 70–38.{{Cite web |last=Whitten |first=Sarah |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Florida Republicans vote to dissolve Disney's special district, eliminating privileges and setting up a legal battle |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/21/florida-set-to-dissolve-disneys-reedy-creek-special-district.html |access-date=April 21, 2022 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421182727/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/21/florida-set-to-dissolve-disneys-reedy-creek-special-district.html |archive-date=April 21, 2022 |url-status=live}} On April 22, DeSantis signed the bill into law, claiming at a press conference that "we have everything thought out" and that Disney would pay "more taxes" as a result of the repeal effort.{{Cite web |last1=Lemongello |first1=Steven |last2=Swisher |first2=Syler|title=DeSantis signs bill eliminating Walt Disney World's Reedy Creek district; Fitch warns of bond downgrade |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-disney-reedy-creek-bill-signed-20220422-3ijuuhs5wra6vcbmy4qhpqp6gy-story.html |access-date=April 22, 2022 |website=Orlando Sentinel |date=April 22, 2022 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422210441/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-disney-reedy-creek-bill-signed-20220422-3ijuuhs5wra6vcbmy4qhpqp6gy-story.html |archive-date=April 22, 2022 |url-status=live}}

In May 2022, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced a bill that would roll back the copyright term for new works to match the Copyright Act of 1909, which grants 28 years of protection that can be renewed for another 28 years. The bill also applies retroactively to works by a group of large companies specifically designed to target Disney. Sarah Jeong of The Verge criticized the bill for obviously violating international copyright agreements and the Fifth Amendment protections against eminent domain, as an attempt to punish Disney for opposing the Parental Rights in Education Act, and because it would not pass in a Congress where both houses were controlled by the Democratic Party.{{cite news |last1=Lang |first1=Jamie |title=U.S. Congressman Proposes Bill To Strip Disney Of Long-Held Copyrights |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/politics/disney-mickey-mouse-copyright-josh-hawley-216169.html?cbtr=LATPOS |access-date=May 14, 2022 |work=Cartoon Brew |date=May 11, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Jeong |first1=Sarah |title=Josh Hawley wants to punish Disney by taking copyright law back to 1909 and that sucks |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/10/23066030/hawley-copyright-disney-mickey-mouse |work=The Verge |date=May 10, 2022 |language=en}}

In April 2023, Governor DeSantis and state legislators introduced more retaliatory legislation, which would subject rides and monorails at only Walt Disney World and not other major theme parks to inspection by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.{{cite news |last=Schneider|first=Mike|title=DeSantis seeks to control Disney with state oversight powers |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/04/18/1170617701/desantis-seeks-to-control-disney-with-state-oversight-powers |work=NPR |agency=Associated Press |date=April 18, 2023}} In August 2023, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, controlled by DeSantis appointees, announced it was cutting its DEI committee, related job duties, and any remaining initiatives from when the district was controlled by Disney proponents.{{cite web |last=Arshad |first=Minnah |date=3 August 2023 |title=DeSantis-controlled Disney World oversight district slashes diversity, equity initiatives |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/08/03/florida-ron-desantis-disney-world-diversity-equity-inclusion-programs/70518285007/ |access-date=8 August 2023 |website=USA Today |publisher=}}

King Charles III loophole

In March 2023, one day before the Florida House of Representatives voted to hand control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District to DeSantis and his administration, the board of the district voted to implement a new slate of measures which prohibited the Florida state government from using any pieces of intellectual property owned by the company, including Cinderella Castle. Many reports on the matter and much of the internet, however, focused on the clause of the perpetuity of the agreement. In order to potentially avoid violating the rule against perpetuities, Disney's lawyers inserted a clause which would keep the agreement and prohibition valid until 21 years after the death of the last already living descendant of King Charles III of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms.{{Cite web |title=Royal clause and King Charles III invoked in Disney vs. DeSantis board dispute |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-ne-disney-desantis-charles-royal-clause-loophole-board-20230330-2ucrvv22hfhcvbrn446us6xmuu-story.html |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=Orlando Sentinel|first=Jeff|last=Weiner|date=March 30, 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Lloyd |title=Ron DeSantis' plan to take control of Disney's land backfired spectacularly because of a loophole in the agreement that may reduce his appointees to powerless functionaries |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/desantis-board-overseeing-disney-district-may-be-powerless-2023-3 |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}

Settlement

On March 27, 2024, Disney and the state announced they had reached a settlement agreement. The company agreed to let stand the invalidation of the changes made right before the handover. The governor appointed a new, more Disney-friendly chair to the board, and the board agreed to operate under a 2020 plan and negotiate future development with the company.