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GLAAD CEO calls DeSantis 'very petty' for revoking Disney's special tax status

DeSantis is currently locked in a battle over who is responsible for paying off the $1 billion debt of Disney's special operating zone for its theme parks.

Published: May 1, 2022 11:50am

Updated: May 3, 2022 11:45pm

Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of the LGBTQ activist group GLAAD, described Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as "very petty" for revoking Disney's special tax status in the state. 

DeSantis has argued that Disney has adopted a "woke" agenda. 

"I think DeSantis is petty," Ellis said at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday evening. "I think that Disney stood up for all families, which they should have done out of the gate, and then they finally did, and that's where they belong, protecting all families, not just some families, and DeSantis should take a page from that and protect all families in Florida, not just the ones that he deems necessary.

"I think DeSantis is very petty and that this is his way to fight back and strike back, and I think that you're politicizing humans. I'm LGBTQ. I'm a person. They're politicizing us and using us as pawns in a fight that doesn't exist, like we should just be respected."

"I'm a mom, do I not count as a mom? And so I think that we are being dehumanized by political people who are building their reputation, their career and their fundraising off of our backs by pushing us down."

DeSantis is currently locked in a battle over who is responsible for paying off the $1 billion debt of Reedy Creek Improvement District, which is Disney's special operating zone for its theme parks.

Ellis was asked if she is satisfied with Biden's handling of LGBTQ issues.

"Biden has been really, really good on LGBTQ issues," she said. "Since day one of his administration, he has really lifted our community up and also the most marginalized in our community. Where we need the help is at the state level. We're under attack with over 200 anti-LGBTQ bills."

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