President Joe Biden called out Florida Republicans over that state’s legislation ending Disney World’s special tax status over the company’s opposition to the Sunshine State’s Parental Educational Rights Act.
At a fundraiser in Seattle on Thursday, the president suggested there was “nothing conservative” about Florida Republicans attacking Disney.
“I respect conservatives,” Biden said. “There’s nothing conservative about deciding to kick Disney out of its current position because of Mickey Mouse? Do you think we shouldn’t be able to say, you know, “gay?”
“I mean, what’s going on here? What the hell is going on? And it’s just, it’s true, I don’t believe that’s where the huge majority of Americans are,” he continued.
Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Friday ending Disney World’s special tax status, which previously allowed the theme park to operate as its own local government. The bill was introduced by Florida lawmakers after Disney released a statement last month condemning the state’s parental rights law, which DeSantis signed into law late last month.
The Parental Rights Act prohibits teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and limits age-appropriate discussions about sexuality in other classrooms.
Dubbed the “Don’t Tell the Gays” bill by critics even though it makes no mention of banning the word, HB 1557 also allows parents access to their children’s educational and health records and requires schools to notify parents of changes in their child’s mental state, a good thing physical or emotional well-being. The bill exempts schools from disclosing information to parents if a “reasonably prudent person” fears it may result in abuse, abandonment or neglect.
Since then, other states, including Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee and Ohio, have introduced legislation that mirrors Florida’s parenting laws.
Disney stated in its March 28 report statement that Florida’s parental rights legislation “should never have been enacted or signed into law” and that Disney’s goal “is to have this law repealed by the Legislature or struck down in the courts, and as such we remain committed to supporting national citizens and state organizations working to to achieve this.”
“We are committed to defending the rights and safety of Disney LGBTQ+ family members, as well as the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and across the country,” the statement continued.
