Despite its public clash with the state of Florida over the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law in 2023, the Walt Disney Company has announced plans to build a new theme park in Abu Dhabi, a city where homosexuality is illegal and can carry harsh prison sentences.
Disney revealed this week that it plans to build a theme park in the capital of the United Arab Emirates at a time when the company’s shares have dropped 17.2 percent this year. Under local law, homosexual activity can be punished with up to 14 years in prison. Individuals identified as transgender or a “male disguised as a female” can face up to a year in prison and additional fines.
“The Walt Disney Company and Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, announced an agreement to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates,” Disney said in a statement on Wednesday. “This seventh Disney theme park resort will combine Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture.”
CEO Bob Iger called the development a “thrilling moment for our company,” and praised Abu Dhabi’s culture as “rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity.” He also added that “Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.”
The announcement drew immediate criticism online, with many pointing out the contradiction of building a theme park in a country where homosexuality is criminalized, just three years after clashing with a law passed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis regarding LGBTQ issues.
In 2022, DeSantis signed a bill aimed at restricting instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for young children in schools. The effort was blasted by left-wing activists as “anti-LGBTQ” and inaccurately dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law. At the time, then-CEO Bob Chapek called DeSantis “to express our disappointment and concern that if the legislation becomes law, it could be used to unfairly target gay, lesbian, non-binary and transgender kids and families.”
Over the last few years, Disney has struggled to grapple with how to handle LGBTQ issues. The company received backlash after adding a same-sex kiss in its 2022 “Lightyear” film, which ultimately failed at the box office. Last year, Disney’s Pixar decided to remove a storyline involving a transgender-identifying character from its animated series Win or Lose, presumably due to pushback by more conservative audiences.
