Biden Addresses ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law and Republicans’ Attack on Disney

In a recent fundraiser hosted by the Democratic National Committee, President Biden condemned the passing of H.B. 1557, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, by Florida Legislature. The bill was passed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in early March and bans primary school teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. Republicans are also working to revoke Disney’s decades-old special zoning agreement with the state because Disney chose to speak out against the “Don’t Say Gay” law. 

Biden states his distaste for this bill, calling it “hateful,” and argues that this does not reflect the ideals of most American people. He says, “This is not your father’s republican party. This is a different deal. Not a joke. Not a joke. And it’s not just Trump; it’s the MAGA crowd. It’s all about things that have nothing to do with traditional, conservative doctrine.”

The White House has denounced the “Don’t Say Gay” law and similar bills being presented across the country for being anti-LGBTQ. In February, Biden signed a presidential memorandum establishing that it’s the policy of the United States to pursue an end to violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are. I have your back, and my Administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve. https://t.co/OcAIMeVpHL

— President Biden (@POTUS) February 8, 2022

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki claimed that the passing of this bill is not being used to dismantle the LGBTQ community, but is “a political wedge issue and an attempt to win a culture war.”

In an interview with journalist Jessica Yellin for her podcast News Not Noise, Psaki gets emotional when discussing the legislation being passed in Florida.

She says, “Every parent, as one myself, too, hopes that our leaders will ensure their children’s safety, protection, and freedom, and today, conservative politicians in Florida rejected those basic values by advancing legislation that is designed to target and attack the kids who need support, support the most, kids from the LGBTQI+ community, who are already vulnerable to bullying—and we’ve seen that in study after study—and violence, just for being themselves and just for being who they are.”

In response to Disney’s most recent statement regarding the Don’t Say Gay bill, Florida republicans are trying to revoke Disney’s special zoning agreement with the state which allows Disney to operate its own zoning laws, providing its own municipal services, and maintaining building codes, police, and fire departments. Disney’s district also gets special government treatment and tax benefits. Despite receiving over $106,809 in financial contributions from Disney between May 2019 and March 2021, DeSantis says that he refuses to bow down to “woke corporations” and accused LGBTQ people of trying to “inject transgenderism into kindergarten.”

Biden doubles down on his statement against the “Don’t Say Gay” law and attack on Disney by saying, “I mean, what’s going on here? What the hell is going on here? And it’s just—So, I don’t believe it’s who the vast majority of American people are.”

He also nods to his concern for the current state of the republican party and the overwhelming influence that the MAGA crowd still holds in politics.

Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore on Flickr