LGBTQ+ advocates and Disney fans are expressing concern over Florida Governor Ron DeSantis‘ anti-LGBTQ+ policies and their potential impact on the “Happiest Place on Earth.” The state’s recent “Don’t Say Gay” law has prompted Equality Florida to issue a travel advisory warning tourists of the “hostile” policies.
DeSantis’ administration dismissed the advisory as a “political stunt,” but LGBTQ+ community members fear the law, along with other anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, could discourage people from traveling to Florida and visiting Disney World.
Gay Days, an annual Pride event, has seen a decrease in participation due to concerns about the state’s attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community. Joseph Clark, the CEO of Gay Days, said, “I know that there is some fear in guests of how welcoming Florida as a state is to the LGBTQ+ audience.”
Despite concerns, Disney World has a history of welcoming the LGBTQ+ community, hosting events like Gay Days, employing many LGBTQ+ cast members, and even recognizing same-sex marriages in its parks. But Disney fans, like San Antonio resident Uriel Diaz, are cautious about visiting the parks amid the state’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Diaz, who identifies as nonbinary, said, “I do believe that it will be a safe space, but everything around it, everything else you have to do to get there is scary right now.”
For some LGBTQ+ employees, Disney represents a welcoming and accepting workplace, providing opportunities for career advancement. Singer and actor Tevae Shoels, who identifies as pansexual, said, “It’s one thing to say we accept and affirm people in these spaces, but it’s a whole other thing to say we want to see you grow and develop within the company.”
For now, LGBTQ+ travelers and Disney fans may need to weigh their options and consider the potential risks before planning a trip to the Sunshine State. As travel blogger Steph Burlton said, “It’s such an individual decision…just spend our energy on actually fighting these bills.”
