The ongoing conflict between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Walt Disney World Resort has been making headlines for some time now.[0] The introduction of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill last year sparked a series of retaliations from both parties, with Disney recently publicly opposing the bill and prompting further backlash from DeSantis.[0] However, this past weekend, the conflict took a comedic turn as one of Disney’s most iconic villains, Jafar, made an appearance on Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” segment.
Played by SNL’s out star player Bowen Yang, Jafar took aim at DeSantis and his attempts to attack Disney World. “If there is no gay, there is no Disney,” Jafar declared.[1] The villain went on to mock DeSantis for his own Disney World wedding, calling it “the gayest thing you can do.”[2] Jafar also called out DeSantis for his ongoing grudge against Disney, reminding viewers that the company is already “as queer as can be” with 40-year-old gay men in braces clogging up Grindr while strolling the amusement park’s Main Street.[3]
Jafar’s appearance on SNL’s “Weekend Update” segment was met with widespread praise and laughter from viewers, with many applauding the show’s decision to use a popular Disney villain to mock DeSantis’s ongoing conflict with the company. However, Jafar’s appearance also highlighted a larger issue within the entertainment industry: the lack of representation for LGBTQ+ characters.
Throughout the skit, Jafar made it clear that he himself is gay, and that there are plenty of LGBTQ+ characters within the Disney canon, including Ursula, Scar, and Mulan.[3] Jafar’s comments serve as a reminder that while LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood has come a long way, there is still much work to be done in terms of increasing visibility and representation for LGBTQ+ characters and performers.
Overall, Jafar’s appearance on “Weekend Update” was a hilarious and timely commentary on the ongoing conflict between DeSantis and Disney, as well as a reminder of the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in the entertainment industry. As we continue to push for greater visibility and representation for marginalized communities, it’s important to celebrate moments like this, where a popular villain can be used to make a powerful statement and bring attention to important issues.
0. “Fans Are Loving SNL’s Gay Jafar and His Attack on Ron DeSantis” Inside the Magic, 9 Apr. 2023, https://insidethemagic.net/2023/04/fans-are-loving-snls-gay-jafar-and-his-attack-on-ron-desantis-eg1/
1. “Jafar Taunts ‘Swamp Rat’ Ron DeSantis Over Spar With Disney On ‘Weekend Update'” HuffPost, 9 Apr. 2023, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/snl-bowen-yang-ron-desantis-jafar_n_643243b6e4b05cef00c9854b
2. “SNL Video: Iconic Aladdin Baddie Jafar Announces, ‘Yep, I’m Gay!'” AOL, 9 Apr. 2023, https://www.aol.com/entertainment/snl-video-iconic-aladdin-baddie-051152044.html
3. “Aladdin’s Jafar Comes Out (on SNL), Calls Out ‘Evil’ DeSantis” Yahoo News, 9 Apr. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/aladdins-jafar-comes-snl-calls-142352442.html
