Disney's New Abu Dhabi Theme Park Contradicts Stance On Florida's So-called 'don't Say Gay' Bill

Disney, which infamously sparred pinch Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., complete what nan institution claimed was a "Don’t Say Gay" bill, now plans to build a new taxable park successful nan United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Middle Eastern state that criminalizes homosexuality.

The intermezo institution announced connected Wednesday that it will unfastened its seventh parkland connected Yas Island successful Abu Dhabi, nan superior metropolis of nan UAE. 

"This is simply a thrilling infinitesimal for our institution arsenic we denote plans to build an breathtaking Disney taxable parkland edifice successful Abu Dhabi, whose civilization is rich | pinch an appreciation of nan arts and creativity," Disney CEO Bob Iger said, adding that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will beryllium "authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati."

The UAE, however, has a history of quality authorities violations, including nan criminalization of "consensual same-sex intersexual behaviour betwixt adults."

Disney will unfastened its seventh parkland successful Abu Dhabi. (AP/John Raoux)

COMEDIAN NATE BARGATZE SAYS DISNEY HAS ABANDONED ITS AUDIENCE AS HE TALKS ABOUT BUILDING RIVAL MEDIA EMPIRE

According to a 2023 report from nan U.S. State Department, penalties for individuals blameworthy of "consensual sodomy pinch a man" included a minimum of six months successful prison. Penalties for men dressed up arsenic women aliases entering women’s spaces were up to 1 twelvemonth successful situation and an astir $2,700 fine.

The UAE moreover banned nan Disney-Pixar animated characteristic "Lightyear" from showing successful movie theaters successful 2022 aft reports emerged that nan movie included a buss betwixt 2 female characters.

The determination to partner pinch nan federation marks a stark opposition pinch Disney’s past stance connected LGBTQ issues.

In 2022, then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke retired against DeSantis’ Parental Rights successful Education bill, which aimed to prohibition schoolroom instruction connected "sexual orientation" aliases "gender identity" successful kindergarten done 3rd grade, during nan company’s yearly shareholder meeting. He besides pledged $5 cardinal successful donations to LGBTQ organizations.

The Walt Disney Company released a connection condemning nan Parental Rights successful Education measure successful 2022. (Alisha Jucevic/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"I called Gov. DeSantis this greeting to definitive our disappointment and interest that if nan authorities becomes law, it could beryllium utilized to unfairly target gay, lesbian, non-binary, and transgender kids and families," Chapek said astatine nan meeting.

The Walt Disney Company besides released a connection condemning nan authorities and incorrectly labeling nan measure arsenic nan "Don’t Say Gay" bill.

"Florida's HB 1557, besides known arsenic nan ‘Don’t Say Gay' bill, should ne'er person passed and should ne'er person been signed into law," the connection read. "Our extremity arsenic a institution is for this rule to beryllium repealed by nan legislature aliases struck down successful nan courts, and we stay committed to supporting nan nationalist and authorities organizations moving to execute that."

DISNEY REPORTEDLY BACKING AWAY FROM CULTURE WARS: 'POLITICS IS BAD FOR BUSINESS'

This guidance kicked disconnected a multi-year litigation battle betwixt Disney and DeSantis aft nan second dissolved nan Reedy Creek Improvement District, nan self-governing taxation territory for Walt Disney World, successful response.

Disney has antecedently supported LGBTQ causes. ((Photo by Alexander Pohl/NurPhoto via Getty Images))

In its yearly SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) study successful 2023, nan institution seemed to admit that weighing successful excessively overmuch successful nan civilization wars damaged their brand aft a drawstring of movie flops.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital reached retired to Disney for comment.

Fox Business' Aislinn Murphy contributed to this report.