It seems pretty clear that there is a strong correlation between positive portrayals of LGBTQ people on TV and in movies and public acceptance of LGBTQ rights. It is also clear that black people are showing up in much larger numbers in TV commercials and programs, probably for the same reason. DeSantis and his followers undoubtedly view this as an impermissible form of affirmative action, driven by “woke capital,” that is an affront to “real America” and should be stopped. But what can they do about it?
It isn’t practically possible for DeSantis to regulate everyone with a camera. And while he might well privately support a system requiring set percentages of black and LGBTQ people to be portrayed as gang members and “groomers,” respectively, it is hard to imagine how he could get away with that, even in today’s world. The First Amendment still counts for something, so this is a battle that DeSantis cannot win.