UNITED STATES. Targeted for its pro-LGBT+ positions, Disney signs an agreement with Florida

Disney reached an agreement with the state of Florida on Wednesday over the management of the site housing one of its amusement parks, as part of a standoff initiated by Governor Ron DeSantis after criticism from the company on its anti-LGBT+ positions.

The conservative Republican and the American giant Disney, a major employer in the region with its Disney World theme park in Orlando, have been engaged in a legal battle since 2022, when the group was sanctioned by the governor.

“End all ongoing disputes”

“We look forward to working with Disney, with this agreement which I think is comprehensive and important,” said Charbel Barakat, vice chairman of the board appointed by Ron DeSantis, after announcing the news during a meeting. “We are pleased to bring an end to all pending litigation in the Florida state courts,” said Jeff Vahle, chairman of Walt Disney World.

The agreement “serves the interests of all parties by allowing the continuation of significant investments and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs” in the state, he assured. Disney had drawn the wrath of the Republican governor by denouncing a bill that restricted the teaching of subjects related to sexual orientation in Florida elementary schools. Ron DeSantis responded by removing Disney’s special status in his state, putting an end to the advantages that the Disney World theme park had enjoyed since the 1960s.

“Targeted revenge”

This special status gave Disney numerous advantages: administrative facilities, self-management of the site, advantageous loans, in particular. The agreement ends statewide lawsuits between Disney and the Ron DeSantis-appointed board, but the two sides still face a legal battle in federal court.

Disney recently appealed a court ruling dismissing its complaint against the Republican. The company accused the conservative governor of leading a campaign of “targeted revenge” against it. The company asked the courts to put this matter on hold for further negotiations after Wednesday’s announcement of the agreement. A figure of the American hard right, Ron DeSantis, who withdrew from the Republican presidential primaries in January, made himself known by multiplying ultra-conservative shock measures on education, immigration and LGBT+ issues.