Title: Disney Abolishes Diversity Programs Amidst Ongoing Feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Subtitle: Central Florida Tourism Oversight District eliminates all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives following internal investigation
Date: [Current Date]
In a latest development in the battle between Walt Disney World and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the governing district of Disney, hand-picked by DeSantis and assuming control in February, has abolished all of its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. According to a news release issued by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District on Tuesday, this decision comes after an internal investigation into the previous policies of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which allegedly discriminated against Americans based on gender and race, resulting in significant financial loss to taxpayers.
District administrator Glenton Gilzean stated, “The so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives were advanced during the tenure of the previous board and they were illegal and simply un-American. Our district will no longer participate in any attempt to divide us by race or advance the notion that we are not created equal.”
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has dissolved the district’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee and eliminated any job duties related to DEI. Furthermore, district employees are prohibited from using staff time to pursue DEI initiatives. However, it is important to note that this change only affects the government and not the companies operating within the district, such as Disney. Consequently, contracting protocols that previously provided special consideration to women and minority-owned businesses during procurement processes may be eliminated.
The new oversight district alleges that the Reedy Creek Improvement District wasted taxpayer dollars by engaging in contracts based on race and gender-driven goals. They claim the district “aggressively” monitored contractors’ race and gender practices under its Minority/Women Business Enterprise and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District estimates that the previous district spent millions of dollars to meet these DEI quotas.
This ongoing feud between Disney and DeSantis began when DeSantis signed a bill in February granting the state authority over the Reedy Creek Improvement District. This came almost a year after former Disney CEO Bob Chapek apologized for not commenting on Florida’s controversial bill, known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which restricted certain classroom instruction related to sexual orientation and gender identity. As a response to the backlash, Chapek stated that the bill was a challenge to basic human rights and pledged increased support for advocacy groups fighting similar legislation in other states while implementing a new framework to align Disney’s advocacy with its values.
CNN has reached out to Walt Disney World for comment on the recent developments. Additionally, it is worth noting that Disney is currently suing the board and Governor DeSantis in federal court, arguing that the state retaliated against the company for exercising its First Amendment rights. The board, on the other hand, has sued Disney in state court, with a recent rejection of Disney’s request to dismiss the case by a Florida judge.
As the battle continues, it remains to be seen how this latest decision by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District will impact the ongoing dispute between Walt Disney World and Governor Ron DeSantis, and the implications it may have for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the district.