Disney, known for its previous conflicts with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis regarding what the company referred to as a “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, has announced plans for a new theme park in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country that has laws against homosexuality.
On Wednesday, the media giant revealed its intention to establish its seventh theme park on Yas Island, located in Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital.
Disney’s CEO Bob Iger remarked, “This is an exhilarating time for our company as we unveil plans for a Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, a place known for its rich cultural heritage and appreciation of art and creativity.” He emphasized that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will reflect both Disney’s essence and Emirati identity.
However, the UAE faces criticism for its record on human rights, particularly for penalizing “consensual same-sex relationships between adults.”
Disney is set to open its seventh theme park in Abu Dhabi.(AP/John Raoux)
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A report from the U.S. State Department in 2023 highlighted that individuals convicted of “consensual sodomy” could face at least six months in prison. Those found guilty of impersonating women or accessing female-only areas could be sentenced to a year in prison and fined around $2,700.
In 2022, the UAE even prohibited the showing of the Disney-Pixar film “Lightyear” in theaters after it was reported that the film contained a kiss between two female characters.
This new partnership stands in contrast to Disney’s previous position regarding LGBTQ matters.
In 2022, then-CEO Bob Chapek spoke against DeSantis’ Parental Rights in Education law, which sought to restrict classroom discussions on “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” for young children, during the company’s shareholder meeting. He pledged $5 million to LGBTQ organizations.
The Walt Disney Company openly criticized the Parental Rights in Education bill in 2022.(Alisha Jucevic/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Chapek expressed to Governor DeSantis his concerns that the legislation, if enacted, could lead to unjust targeting of LGBTQ youth and their families.
The Walt Disney Company also issued a statement denouncing the legislation, labeling it as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill inaccurately.
“Florida’s HB 1557, referred to as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, was never meant to pass and should never have been signed into law,” the statement asserted. “Our objective is to see this law either repealed or overturned in the courts, and we remain dedicated to supporting the organizations fighting for that cause.”
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This opposition initiated an extended legal struggle between Disney and DeSantis after he abolished the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the autonomous tax district that managed Walt Disney World.
Disney has historically supported LGBTQ rights.((Photo by Alexander Pohl/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
In its 2023 annual report to the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), the company seemed to recognize that excessive involvement in cultural debates has negatively impacted its brand, particularly following a series of unsuccessful movie releases.