Disney World Florida to host world's largest LGBT+ conference

Walt Disney World in Florida will host an LGBT+ conference this fall that organizers are calling the world's largest  – as the resort and state GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis continue to spar over sexual-orientation and gender-identity issues.

Out & Equal, an activist group that promotes equality for LGBT+ people in the workplace, is hosting its 2023 Workplace Summit for three days in September, according to the organization's website. The group says the summit "is the largest LGBTQ+ conference in the world, with more than 5,000 attendees every year."

DeSantis last month signed a law ending Disney's special self-governing status over its resort and the surrounding area. The legislation came largely in response to Disney's protests against Florida's Parental Rights in Education bill, dubbed by critics as the "Don't say gay bill."

Out & Equal's website also features a photo of Mickey Mouse and states the summit will be held in Orlando, but it does not specify that it will be at the resort itself. However, Chief Marketing Officer Michael Chamberlain confirmed Wednesday to The Tampa Bay Times the conference will be held at the Disney resort. 

The Walt Disney Company is listed as a top partner on the organization's website. Other top partners include Dell Technologies, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Apple and Uber. The group also has government partners, including the CIA, the Food and Drug Administration, the State Department and the Agriculture Department.