Disney, Florida settle lawsuit sparked by ‘Don’t Say Gay’ opposition
Business,Courts,Disney,Ron DeSantis,Parental Rights In Education
The legal battle between Florida and Disney over how the company’s properties are developed in the future appears to have been resolved, with both parties agreeing to a settlement over control of the special district that includes Orlando’s Walt Disney Resort.
Members of the board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District voted unanimously Wednesday to accept a deal proposed by the House of Mouse to end the lengthy and often bitter dispute sparked by the company’s opposition to the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, a law championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The controversial legislation, which prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, was signed into law in early 2022 and became one of the hallmarks of DeSantis’ then-upcoming, and now-failed, run for the White House.
After Disney expressed opposition to the bill, DeSantis retaliated against the company by signing a bill barring Disney from self-governing the areas around its theme parks in Central Florida.
