Universal Remains Silent Amidst Disney’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Controversy, Despite Donating to Some of the Same Lawmakers

NBCUniversal continues to remain silent on Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill despite the controversy surrounding the bill and Universal’s main theme park competitor, Disney.

In February, The Walt Disney Company was found to have donated to every sponsor of the Parental Rights in Education bill, which uses vague language to “[prohibit] classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels.” After initially failing to denounce the bill, Disney CEO Bob Chapek eventually stated the company was opposed to the bill and would take action to better support the LGBTQIA+ community. After Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law, Disney stated their hope to have the law repealed. DeSantis continues to fire back at Disney, threatening to remove the company’s “special privileges” in the state.

Amidst all of this controversy, NBCUniversal and parent company Comcast, as well as other entertainment companies, have laid low. NBCUniversal and other companies did sign a Human Rights Campaign statement opposing the recent wave of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation. GLAAD reports that Comcast NBCU, WarnerMedia, and Disney are all donating airtime for a PSA about a Texas family with a transgender child.

However, as Deadline points out, Comcast contributed to some of the same sponsors of the bill that Disney. Though the company has not received as much heat as Disney, it may be in their best interest to make a public statement regarding the bill before it’s too late.

GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said this Saturday, “In this moment of crisis, what’s different is our community is holding companies accountable. So I have a message for the industry: Don’t wait until you’re in the hot seat. There’s no more time to sit on the sidelines. We need Hollywood on the front lines, fighting for our rights and telling our stories.”

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Author

  • Shannen Michaelsen

    Shannen has been a Disney Parks fan and lover of dogs since childhood, despite Pluto's attempt to eat Shannen's Minnie Mouse doll the first time they met. They've made up now. You can email Shannen at shannen@mail.hkdrnt.com.

18 thoughts on “Universal Remains Silent Amidst Disney’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Controversy, Despite Donating to Some of the Same Lawmakers”

  1. And this is what Chapek should of done instead of caving in to the Wokes! Now look at the mess Disney is in.
    You can’t win this argument on either side, so just keep your trap shut!

  2. “However, as Deadline points out, Comcast contributed to some of the same sponsors of the bill that Disney. Though the company has not received as much heat as Disney, it may be in their best interest to make a public statement regarding the bill before it’s too late.”

    Because of how well that’s working out for Disney??

  3. Disney, Universal and Seaworld should stay out of politics..
    Children should be learning from there Parents not from a Teacher.. what happened to learning to read.. etc..

    Mr. Disney would be rolling over in his grave.. when the profits start to go down maybe you’ll all wake up..🤙🏻

  4. You are mis-informing people to fit your own narrative and create outrage.

    The law does not “[prohibit] classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels.”

    It prohibits classroom instruction in grades k-3. But that doesn’t sounds as bad does it? Please leave reporting to facts.

    • Or certain grade levels. People don’t come here to read what the bill is, just the impact on the parks. We don’t claim to be the place to read the bill or examine it.

      • The “Impact on the parks” were created by people like YOU who because of either personal bias or fear of repercussions of the loud minority who continue to miss represent facts just to create and continue a false narrative.
        How can anyone honestly believe any of you reporting with such a lack of integrity?

  5. Why would Universal make a statement and jump into this political fray? What Disney did was moronic and did not improve their PR at all. They are start to say nothing.

  6. If you work at Universal you should be ashamed of your company. They are not standing up for your gay teammates.

  7. Universal has no reason to say anything. Theme parks have no business in politics unless they FOR CERTAIN have shown TRUE signs of discrimination (which literally has not happened whatsoever). Also….

    Do you really think Universal will say anything and take the heat off of Disney??? What’s the old saying, “Never interrupt your enemy when they are making mistakes”. They WANT this heat on Disney. It’ll bring the business to them and AWAY from Disney.

  8. Stop priming the pump for controversy. Do you think this virtue signaling accomplishes anything? Also WDWNT maybe you should stop covering articles like this. “Don’t Say Gay” is not the title of the legislation. Parental Rights In Education. That’s the title. Your journalistic bias is showing.

    • I’m going to stand under Spaceship Earth and smack people who say “The Ball”.

      There’s no bias, you just have nothing better to do than argue about a bill on a theme park website.

      • Wow Tom, your bias is showing as you have published multiple stories about the “Don’t Say WDWNT” Bill. Considering it doesn’t impact the theme parks and has nothing to do with either Disney or Universal – unless they are teaching classes that I am unaware of in K through 3, why do you continue to publish a false narrative?

  9. Universal is under no obligation to say anything about the anti-grooming bill. And nobody except a tiny group of self-pitying propagandists is demanding it do so. I hope Universal stays smart and stays silent.

  10. Universal is smart to stay silent and not get into politics
    They should just watch as Disney continues to cut their own throat.

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