Since former Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke out against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law, known by its critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, there has been a common theme going around right-wing circles: the Walt Disney Company is using its films, television properties, and theme parks to groom children. As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tours the country seeking the Republican nomination for President, he has accused Disney of “indoctrinating” and “sexualizing” children.
For his part, current Disney CEO Bob Iger has called those allegations “preposterous” and “inaccurate.” But despite those denials from Iger, there are still people out there who believe that Disney is grooming children.
The comedy duo The Good Liars went to former President Donald Trump’s arrangement in Georgia to ask some of his staunchest supporters what they felt after seeing him booked in a Georgia prison. Davram Stiefler, one-half of the group, came across an elderly gentleman in a MAGA hat, and they began discussing the current situation.
The topic of Disney came up, and the man said:
Disney was advertising gayness to our kids. Disney was going into the business of putting ideas in my kids’, my grandkids’ minds, that I didn’t want them putting in my grandkids’ minds.
@thegoodliars At Trump’s arrest in Georgia this guy was concerned that Disney was “advertising gayness” #disney #desantis #florida #georgia #fyp #arrest #gay #advertising
When pressed on his accusations, the man admitted that Disney has not changed his grandkids’ mind on anything, but he was just telling Stiefler “what he heard.” With no evidence to support his claims, the man ended the interview before he could be asked any further questions on Disney’s role in his grandchildren’s lives.
Over the past few years, Disney has tried to embrace the LGBTQ Community by including LGBTQ people in their films and hosting Pride Month celebrations at Disney World in Central Florida and Disneyland in California.
Disney included a gay character in Strange World (2022) and a non-binary character in Elemental (2023), a first in a Disney film. Disney was then accused of having “gone woke” as Disney’s stock continued to fall; critics used that as the primary reason for Disney’s slide.
As his poll numbers started to dip, Gov Ron DeSantis has said that he has “moved on” from his feud with the Walt Disney Company, but there is still a lawsuit in Federal Court over the new governing board of Disney World.
For his part, Iger has said that Disney’s response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill was not” handled that well,” a not-so-subtle shot at former CEO Bob Chapek.
But despite Iger’s denials, there is still some convincing to do for large parts of the country.
We will continue to update this story at Disney Fanatic.
