The Disney corporation issued a statement denouncing Florida’s Don’t Say Gay law after it had already passed the state legislature as Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed it into law. The statement came after an employee revolt forced Disney to take a stand against the anti-LGBTQ law.
Now new campaign filings show that Disney donated $190,000 to get Republicans elected in Florida as GOP lawmakers were working to pass the law.
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The Don’t Say Gay law bans discussions of LGBTQ issues in elementary school and requires them to be “developmentally appropriate” in older grades, but the law doesn’t define what that means. Instead of setting clear standards, the law allows parents to sue school districts if they feel like the law has been violated, which critics say will stifle any discussion of LGBTQ people and lead to LGBTQ youth feeling isolated and alone.
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After facing backlash, Disney said that it would help fight to repeal the law. And Republicans have been angry at Disney – with activists promising to boycott and GOP politicians, including DeSantis, suggesting that they will use the law to punish Disney – ever since.
But since January, the company donated $125,000 to the Republican Party of Florida and $65,000 to a committee that helps elect Republican state senators, Politico reports. Part of the money came after the Florida House had already passed the Don’t Say Gay bill.
While many corporations donate to both parties, Disney only donated $25,000 to a committee for state senate Democrats since January.
Disney said in March that it would stop making campaign contributions in the state.
