Kulturkampf shakes up Disney World
Since the entertainment group has criticized a new law in Florida as anti-gay, the ruling Republicans are retaliating in their own way.
Controversial “Don’t Say ‘Gay Law'”: Demonstration in front of Disney Park in Orlando, Florida.
Photo: Phelan M Ebenhak (Keystone)
Basically, nothing happened in Florida – except that the Walt Disney Company will soon be a completely normal company: in the future it will be subject to the same laws as all other companies between Jacksonville and Key West, they pay the same amount. Taxes and they must meet the same requirements that must be considered if they want to build a new hotel.
However, the decision by the Republican-dominated state legislature in Tallahassee is nothing short of a revolution highlighting the Kulturkampf in the US in a way no film studio could: A company takes a stand against perceived anti-gay law — and Ronald Reagan’s pro-corporate party He retaliates by stripping this company of all its privileges. Welcome to 21st Century America.
Disney was granted rights that hardly any other company has.
what is he talking about? With 80,000 employees, Disney is the largest private employer in Florida, and the theme parks attract millions of tourists each year who spend billions of dollars in the Sunshine State.
To make this possible, the state of Disney granted rights in 1967 that almost no company in the world has: since then, the group has resided in a specially created state area about 100 square kilometers southwest of Orlando, which is largely autonomous. The government, with many taxes and building regulations, runs its own water and electricity works as well as the authorities and security agencies.
For decades, both sides have benefited from nation-building within the nation—until the state legislature recently passed what critics call the Don’t Say ‘Gay’ Act, which prohibits Florida schools from asking children through third grade any education questions about gender identity and sexual orientation This is based on the belief that only young people today often struggle with their identity or “become gay” because liberal educators talk about homosexuality. (Read more here.)
CEO Chapek delayed comment
Disney president Bob Chapek has long refused to comment on the law — knowing full well that companies that take a stand on social and political issues soon face calls for boycotts and other problems. However, under pressure from the workforce, the company spoke out and declared that the law was inconsistent with its values and should be “returned by Parliament or repealed by the courts”. In addition, Disney will stop all donations to state politicians for the time being.
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis can turn Disney into a regular company.
Photo: Phelan M Ebenhak (Keystone)
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, a sort of smarter version of the populist Donald Trump, immediately saw an opportunity to further sharpen his image as a strong conservative beyond Florida’s borders. According to polls, the 43-year-old will currently be the most promising Republican contender for the presidency if Trump does not run for re-election in 2024.
Disney guest in Florida.
The governor pushed through an ordinance in summary proceedings that provided for the dissolution of all special counties in Florida that were created prior to 1968 and which, after the Senate, are now approved by the House of Representatives. “Disney is a guest in Florida,” Representative Randy Fine said before the vote. “We remind you of that day.” To enact the law and turn Disney into a completely ordinary company, only one person needs to sign it: Ron DeSantis.
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