The measure, which opponents have called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, was criticized by a number of companies. In March, Florida lawmakers passed a law supported by DeSantis that bans discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools for kindergarten through third grade classes.

Critics say the move is punishment against the entertainment giant’s criticism of a recently passed Republican-backed law that limits instruction of gender identity and sexual orientation in Florida schools. On April 21, the legislature sent the bill to Governor Ron DeSantis, who is likely to sign it. Now, in a matter of days, the Florida legislature has passed a bill that could strip Disney of special privileges that for the last half-century have granted the company a measure of quasi-governmental authority over a giant tract of land that includes Disney World and other Disney properties. is among Florida’s biggest employers and Walt Disney World has been a central part of the state’s public image for decades.