In a decisive move that echoes the broader efforts of Governor Ron DeSantis to curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion measures in various sectors, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, governing the Walt Disney World Resort, has announced the termination of its diversity programs. The district, whose board was appointed by DeSantis amid a contentious clash with Disney, stated that its diversity, equity, and inclusion committee would be dissolved, any related jobs would be eliminated, and considerations of gender or racial parity in awarding contracts would be discontinued.
Glenton Gilzean, the district’s administrator, asserted their stance against division based on race and the notion of inequality, emphasizing that the district would no longer partake in initiatives that promote such agendas. The policy change applies to the district, largely funded by taxes from Disney, functioning akin to a county government for the park, overseeing permitting, planning, and essential services like fire protection and emergency medical responses.
This development comes amid a wider Republican trend of targeting diversity programs across the United States, with Florida’s DeSantis signing a bill in May to restrict public universities and colleges from allocating funds to such initiatives. Other states, including Texas, Tennessee, and North Carolina, have proposed similar bills, fueling the national debate over diversity, equity, and inclusion measures.
Fentrice Driskell, the Democratic leader in the Florida House of Representatives, expressed little surprise at the district’s decision, denouncing DeSantis’s actions and their potential repercussions on Florida’s reputation as an open and welcoming place for business and education.
The discord between DeSantis and Disney World escalated last year when the governor signed the controversial Parental Rights in Education Act, colloquially known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, into law. Following Disney employees’ pressure on the matter, Disney’s former chief executive, Bob Chapek, publicly criticized the bill, expressing concerns about its impact on the LGBTQ+ community. In retaliation, DeSantis dubbed the company “Woke Disney” and sought to revoke Disney World’s special tax district designation, which granted the company certain governance privileges and financial benefits.
The tussle over the district’s abolition encountered obstacles when taxpayers in Orange and Osceola Counties faced the prospect of funding essential services previously provided by Disney. Amid these challenges, the State Legislature curtailed Disney’s power over the district’s oversight board and handed it to DeSantis.
The ensuing legal wrangling between Disney and DeSantis remains ongoing, with lawsuits filed by both parties. The feud has emerged as a prominent theme in DeSantis’s campaign for the Republican nomination for president, highlighting his “anti-woke” and “anti-corporate” agenda. While national polls currently show him trailing former President Donald J. Trump, DeSantis’s stance on issues like diversity and corporate influence has garnered significant attention and implications for the national political landscape.
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