DeSantis-Disney feud heats up; Governor claims Disney ‘crossed line’

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The feud between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Walt Disney company appears to be heating up. The governor blasted Disney on Tuesday for getting involved in the debate over the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law.

“For Disney to come out and put a statement and say that the bill should have never passed, and that they are going to actively work to repeal it, I think, one, was fundamentally dishonest. But two, I think that crossed the line. This state is governed by the interests of the people of the state of Florida. It is not based on the demands of California corporate executives. They do not run this state. They do not control this state,” said DeSantis.

On Monday, Disney tweeted that the law should never have been signed, and that it wants it to be repealed by the legislature or struck down by the courts.

School districts across the state are waiting for the Florida Department of Education’s rules on the new state law, because it allows some parents to file lawsuits if there is instruction on gender identity.

The U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said Monday he will be monitoring if the implementation of the controversial law violates federal civil rights law.

The most controversial part of the law: “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”

The new law also requires school districts to give parents the option to decline health services and to notify parents about students’ health changes.

The law goes into effect July 1st.