A few years ago, the Walt Disney Company threw a tantrum over Florida’s inaccurately nicknamed “Don’t Say Gay” law that bolstered parental rights in education.
Now, the entertainment behemoth is building its first new theme park in 15 years in — wait for it — Abu Dhabi, a city where homosexuality is illegal.
Turns out the bottom line matters!
Disney’s theme parks are performing well — the company reported they brought in $8.9 billion in the second quarter, but Disney shares have traded down 17.2% so far this year.
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, where sexual activity between two men or two women is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Also, trans-identifying people or a “male disguising as a female” can be criminally prosecuted and face up to a year in prison and fines.
The country’s laws reportedly originate with Sharia law.
“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 an announcement Wednesday.
This new theme park resort in Abu Dhabi will be