Upcoming Disney Roller Coasters

 Protesters have asked the company to stop donations to politicians involved in the passage of the bill, Two upcoming roller coasters at Disney World are among the projects at risk of being delayed as employees demand the company do more to protect LGBTQ people and protest that CEO Bob Chapek waited too long to condemn a bill passed by the Florida State Legislature.

The "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" was slated to open this summer at Disney's EPCOT, according to Disney. Despite not yet having an official opening date, a ride based on the movie "Tron" had already started running tests.

Protesters have asked the company to stop donations to politicians involved in the passage of the bill, such as Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., but they also demanded Disney cease "construction and investment in the state of Florida" until the bill is repealed. Note: impero

The legislation that instigated the protests is the "Parents Rights in Education" bill, which critics have called the "Don't Say Gay" bill. If DeSantis signs the bill, it would prohibit Florida public school educators from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.

Disney has been under fire from both sides of the political aisle over its response to the bill. It has also come under fire for its operations in China. The National Legal and Policy Center, an ethics watchdog and shareholder, accused the media giant of "complicity in China genocide" at the recent shareholders meeting. Note impero

Disney did not initially take a public position on the controversial bill, but Chapek later spoke out against it at a shareholders meeting following its passage. He announced a pause on political donations in Florida, and maintained that the company would give millions to support LGBTQ causes. He also expressed a willingness to meet with DeSantis regarding the company's opposition to the legislation.

Florida Democrats move party fundraiser after controversy over Disney

The move is part of the continued backlash to the so-called “don’t say gay” bill. The Florida Democratic Party said Tuesday it is moving venues and rescheduling its annual fundraising gala and organizing event after facing criticism over its timing and its decision to host the event at Walt Disney World.

The decision was announced hours after the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus said it would skip the event, called Leadership Blue, because it was being held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort near Orlando. The caucus said The Walt Disney Co. didn’t do enough to publicly come out against controversial Florida legislation that would prohibit classroom lessons on sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Scheduling Leadership Blue at Disney during Pride Month this year is nothing but tone deaf,” Stephen Gaskill, president of the caucus, which has 21 chapters, said in a statement. “To put it another way: (Florida Democratic Party) — read the room.”

Florida Democratic Party chairperson Manny Diaz said Tuesday evening that the party had gotten feedback that the event’s dates, originally scheduled for June 17-19, conflicted with Pride Month, Juneteenth and Father’s Day. He did not mention Disney by name in a short statement but said, “Our timing was not ideal. We also acknowledge that in our fight for freedom and fairness, we can always do more.”

He said the party would share information about rescheduled dates and location “once we have explored available options.”

Tensions have run high in Florida over House Bill 1557, called the “Parental Rights in Education” bill but branded the “don’t say gay” bill by opponents. It prohibits classroom lessons on sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K-3, or for older children in ways deemed not age-appropriate.

Proponents of the bill, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, have charged it will protect against “injecting sexual instruction” and “transgenderism” into the classrooms of young kids. Critics, including LGBTQ students who protested around the state, say it marginalizes queer youth, an already vulnerable group.

DeSantis mocked the company as being too “woke” a day after having a private discussion with Disney CEO Bob Chapek during which Chapek expressed concerns over the bill. That phone call took place the day after the bill passed the Florida Legislature.

Meanwhile, some employees and customers have criticized the company for not taking a more public, forceful stance against the bill. The company has also faced scrutiny over its donations over the years to every sponsor and co-sponsor of the contentious legislation.

Several lawmakers have said that Disney quietly lobbied to soften or stop the bill, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Disney has since announced a pause on all its Florida political contributions.