New Florida Law Would Ban the Pride Flag in DeSantis’ Disney District

In every office and cubicle in America, decorations adorn the walls or desks of the employees. It makes work just slightly more bearable. Whether it be family pictures, decals from your favorite sports teams, or just some inside joke that makes you laugh when you look at it, we all have those things that bring our offices to life. And in some of our cases, those decorations may include a Pride Flag to show that you are an ally to those in the LGBTQ+ community. But in Florida, those flags may become illegal.

Related: She Has ‘Been a Part of The B of LGBTQ,’ Celebration Resident Calls Out ‘Rank Hypocrisy of DeSantis’ Disney Board Member

Just before the Florida Legislature broke for the Holiday break, Florida State Rep. David Borrero filed House Bill 901, which would bar the display of Pride flags from any government building or school across the state.

House Bill 901 reads:

A governmental entity may not erect or display a flag that represent[s] a political viewpoint, including, but not limited to, a politically partisan, racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology viewpoint. The governmental entity must remain neutral when representing political viewpoints in displaying or erecting a flag.

In years past, this legislation would not affect Walt Disney World or the Reedy Creek Improvement District, but 2023 was a different year. After former Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke out against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and prohibits instruction that is not age-appropriate for students. The bill has since expanded to include grades kindergarten through 12th.

In response, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature stripped Disney World of the Reedy Creek Improvement District and replaced it with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, making it a governmental entity. Governor DeSantis replaced the Reedy Creek Board with a Board loyal to him and willing to install a conservative agenda within the District.

Related: An Alleged Rape, A Threesome, and a Mom For Liberty: DeSantis’ Disney Board Member Remains Out of Sight While Controversy Swirls Around Her

So, should this become law in Florida, it would effectively ban the display of Pride Flags on CFTOD property, which would include District offices, the Reedy Creek Fire Department, and all utility stations on Reedy Creek property. It would also prohibit all District employees from displaying Pride Flags at their desks.

Critics of the legislation have already started to rally against it and have taken to calling it the “Don’t Display Gay” bill. Equality Florida posted to X (formerly Twitter):

If conservative lawmakers won’t stop trying to erase us, we won’t stop showing up to oppose them.

But if Florida lawmakers took a closer look at the language in the bill, they would realize that it would also prohibit the display of any flag that represents a “political viewpoint,” which would include those that promote candidates for office. So, this would include any flag promoting Donald Trump or Governor Ron DeSantis for President.

JUST IN: A new Florida House bill, HB 901, would ban cities, counties, schools, state colleges, and state universities from flying LGBTQ or Transgender Pride flags.

If conservative lawmakers won’t stop trying to erase us, we won’t stop showing up to oppose them. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ pic.twitter.com/8VVIrV4ifY

— Equality Florida (@equalityfl) December 18, 2023

Related: Funny Story, DeSantis’ Disney Laws May Be Unconstitutional

Walt Disney World would still be allowed to fly a Pride Flag if it chooses as it is private property. Should this become law in Florida, it will undoubtedly end up in the Supreme Court, as have a number of other laws passed in recent years by the Florida Legislature and signed by Floria Gov Ron DeSantis.

We will continue to update this story at Disney Fanatic.