Disney released a new LGBTQ+ clothing line for children on Monday amid the company’s feud with Florida Republicans and Gov. Ron DeSantis over the state’s new parental rights law. The clothing line features the rainbow Pride flag printed on T-shirts, baby clothes, bracelets, sweaters, socks, backpacks and other items. Several products incorporate the flag’s colours with fictional Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse.
Pride-themed Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar selections are also available. The items are sold at Disney retail shops, the ‘shopDisney’ online store and all of Disney’s theme parks. “The Disney Pride Collection was created by LGBTQIA+ employees and allies at The Walt Disney Company and is a reflection of their incredible contributions and place at the heart of the company, we stand in solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ community everywhere,” said a statement released by Disney.
Though the company has been producing pride clothing for kids since 2018, the collection was previously called “Rainbow Disney Collection” but this year Disney changed it to “Disney Pride Collection.” Disney stated that all proceeds until the end of June, which is the last day of Pride month, will be donated to various LGBTQ+ charity organizations. The CEO also said Disney will donate $5 million to organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, which works to protect LGTBQ+ rights.
The Vice president of global marketing for Disney parks Lisa Becket who is also a part of the LGBTQIA+ community expressed how happy this step from Disney makes her. “Honoring Pride is a long-standing tradition of The Walt Disney Company, and I am incredibly proud to work for a company that supports inclusion as a core value and provides a welcoming environment which allows me to bring my true authentic self to work. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a longstanding Disney cast member … I greatly appreciate the consistent opportunity for my voice to be heard,” said Lisa.
Understanding the situation: The “Don’t Say Gay” Bill sanctioned by Ron DeSantis in March 2022
The Republican governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, has signed into law a bill that forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, a policy that has drawn intense national scrutiny from critics who argue it risks marginalizing LGBTQ+ people.
Public school teachers in Florida are banned from holding classroom instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity after DeSantis, a Republican, signed the controversial “Parental Rights in Education” bill. The bill, which some opponents have called “Don’t Say Gay.” Supporters of the legislation say it’s meant to allow parents to determine when and in what way to introduce LGBTQ topics to their children. It also gives parents an option to sue a school district if the policy is violated.
DeSantis said teaching kindergarten-aged kids that “they can be whatever they want to be” was “inappropriate” for children. He said, “It’s not something that’s appropriate for any place, but especially not in Florida.” DeSantis and Republicans say the measure is reasonable and parents, not teachers, should broach subjects of sexual orientation and gender identity with children.
However, the President of America Joe Biden has opposed this bill and said that LGBTQI+ people are part of our community and should be treated as equals with dignity and respect. The Democratic US president’s tweeted statement read, “Every student deserves to feel safe and welcome in the classroom. Our LGBTQI+ youth deserve to be affirmed and accepted just as they are. My administration will continue to fight for dignity and opportunity for every student and family in Florida and around the country.”
About Governor Ron DeSantis
Ronald Dion DeSantis born on 14th September 1978 is an American attorney and politician. He is currently serving as the 46th Governor of Florida. DeSantis is a member of the Republican party and before attaining governorship, he also served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Florida’s 6th District for 5 years from 2013 to 2018.
DeSantis studied at Yale University and during that time worked many jobs including an electrician’s assistant and a baseball camp coach. DeSantis graduated from Yale in 2001 with a BA magna cum laude. After graduating from Yale in 2001, DeSantis went on to become a teacher at the Darlington School. Ron later enrolled in the famous Harvard Law School and graduated there with a Juris Doctor cum laude in 2005.
DeSantis began his political career in 2012 when he announced that he was running for the Republican primary for Florida’s 6th congressional district. DeSantis won the Republican primary with 39% of the votes. Going further Ron DeSantis also became the chairman of the subcommittee on National Security.
In 2016, DeSantis announced his candidacy for the United States Senate, but he later dropped out and contested the election for the House of Representatives. In 2018, Ron DeSantis declared that he would be running for the seat of Governor of Florida. Trump said that he would support DeSantis should he run for governor. DeSantis won the elections and became Governor of Florida.
