“You have companies, like at Disney, that are going to say and criticize parents’ rights, they’re going to criticize the fact that we don’t want transgenderism in kindergarten, in first-grade classrooms,” he added. “When you have companies that have made a fortune off being family friendly and catering to families and young kids, they should understand that parents of young kids do not want this injected into their kids’ kindergarten classroom,” he said. One day after Chapek’s comments, DeSantis issued a sharp rebuke of Disney, calling out the company’s “woke” stance on the Parental Rights in Education bill and its ties to the Chinese Communist Party.Ī video obtained by Fox News showed DeSantis telling supporters in Boca Raton that Florida’s policies must be based on the “best interest of Florida citizens, not on the musings of woke corporations.”ĭeSantis also has said there is “zero” chance he will change his position on prohibiting the instruction of “transgenderism in kindergarten classrooms.” Your awareness should pop up right away, this isn’t teaching.” “And I think when you start having sexual-type discussions with children, you’re entering a very dangerous zone. “Some discussions are for with your parents,” he told Fox News in February. The idea that you wouldn’t be honest about that and tell people what it actually says is why people don’t trust people like you.” So, five-year-olds, six-year-olds, seven-year-olds. When the reporter responded that the bill prohibits classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation, DeSantis pushed back: “For who? For grades pre-K through 3.

“Does it say that in the bill? Does it say that in the bill? I’m asking you to tell me what’s in the bill because you are pushing false narratives,” he said. However, while progressive opponents of the legislation have labeled the measure the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, Republican state senator Dennis Baxley, who spearheaded the bill, said it is intended to restore authority to parents who are better equipped to address the topics of gender identity and sexual orientation in the early stages of childhood development.ĭeSantis pushed back against a reporter’s use of the “Don’t Say Gay” title during a press conference last month. DeSantis is expected to sign the bill into law.Ĭhapek said DeSantis agreed to a follow-up conversation and was “very open” to hearing him out. The bill passed the state legislature earlier this month. Staffers at Disney, ESPN’s parent company, planned to hold walkouts last week and this week to protest the measure, the Guardian reported.ĭisney CEO Bob Chapek said he and other Disney executives called Florida governor Ron DeSantis earlier this month to “express our disappointment and concern that if the legislation becomes law, it could be used to unfairly target gay, lesbian, non-binary, and transgender kids and families,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.Ĭhapek first came out against the bill during the company’s annual shareholder meeting when he announced Disney planned to donate $5 million to LGBTQ groups. 'There are things bigger than basketball … Our LGBTQIA+ teammates at Disney asked for our solidarity and support.' /d0xISZvNUh Today during the Women's NCAA Tournament, ESPN's Carolyn Peck and Courtney Lyle remained silent for two minutes in opposition of Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill.

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