One of Ron DeSantis’ commissioners in a special district that will oversee Walt Disney World once backed a conspiracy theory that tap water can turn people gay, according to a CNN report.
Ron Peri, the CEO of The Gathering, a Christian ministry, also condemned homosexuality, calling it “disgraceful,” according to CNN.
Peri was one of five people appointed to the board of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which was formed 55 years ago to oversee land use, infrastructure and firefighting on the theme park’s grounds. Earlier this week, DeSantis signed legislation giving him the power to appoint members of the board of directors subject to Senate approval, stripping Disney of control of the property. The district will also be renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
In a video from a Zoom discussion in January 2022, Peri claimed without evidence that higher estrogen levels in the water from birth control pills led to lower testosterone levels in men.
“Why are there homosexuals today? There are a number of reasons, you know, that are given. Some would say the rise of estrogen in our societies,” he said, according to the CNN report. He also linked homosexuality to disease.
Peri also said, according to the KFile report, “There are many unhealthy consequences of a homosexual lifestyle. There are diseases, but it goes beyond that.”
Peri was not available. He did not respond to the network’s request for comment.
Disney and DeSantis also did not respond to requests for comment.
The own statements from DeSantis and his appointees, including a leading political donor and two conservative activists, have raised concerns that the board will seek to influence the company’s key decisions, despite the county government’s handling of matters such as roads and other types of infrastructure related. .
Signing the bill, DeSantis said, “When you’re lost, you have to have people who tell you the truth, and so we hope they can carry on.” I think all those councilors are very excited about the kind of entertainment that all families will appreciate.”
After Disney announced it would oppose a parental rights bill — which opponents called “don’t say gay” — DeSantis pushed for the dissolution of Reedy Creek County. But soon there were concerns from nearby counties that their taxpayers would have to repay more than $1 billion in treasury debt. Instead, he tried to keep the district but place it under government control.
Democrats blasted DeSantis’ move, but so did some Republicans. Former Vice President Mike Pence told CNBC that “the idea of taking action against their tax agency is beyond the scope of what I would be willing to do as a conservative, limited-government Republican.”
Source: Deadline
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
