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Republican Party supporters demonstrate in front of Disney World Park in Orlando, Florida, in April 2022
Photo:
OCTAVIO JONES / REUTERS
Florida entertainment giant Walt Disney has come under pressure after criticism of anti-LGBTQ school laws.
The state House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill that could have tax disadvantages for Disney.
The text must now be submitted to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis for signature.
The background is a law that opponents call »Don't Say Gay«.
Among other things, it prohibits the topics »sexual orientation or gender identity« from kindergarten to third grade in the classroom.
Disney had spoken out against this regulation.
The English abbreviation LGBTQI stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans people, queer and intersex people.
Punished for criticism
Florida's new law has sparked outrage far beyond the state.
Republican DeSantis signed the bill into law in late March.
He is considered a potential Republican presidential nominee for 2024.
The Disney company criticized the law in no uncertain terms, saying it should never have come into force.
DeSantis and his Republicans in Florida then attacked Disney and defended the law.
Disney is a major employer in the US state.
The Walt Disney World Resort theme park near Orlando is a tourist magnet.
The entertainment giant, headquartered in the US state of California, was given special status with extensive self-government in Florida in the 1960s.
The bill, now passed with a majority of Republicans, would result in Disney losing this special status.
"Disney tried to import California assets to Florida," Republican Congressman Randy Fine told CNN on Wednesday.
California is considered a particularly liberal state.
Disney is a guest in Florida.
"If you want special privileges, you better behave yourself," Fine said.
US President Joe Biden's deputy spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre criticized Republicans in Florida.
"We object to the governor taking action against a company for speaking out against the law."
atb/nck/dpa/AFP