Disney Opens Fairy Tale Weddings to Gay Couples

[AwallaceUNC]

Disney opens Fairy Tale Weddings to gay couples
Thu Apr 5, 2007 7:11pm ET

By Gina Keating

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Walt Disney Co. has changed its policy to allow same-sex couples to participate in a popular Fairy Tale Wedding program it runs mainly at its two U.S. resorts and cruise line, a Disney spokesman said on Thursday.

Disney previously had allowed gay couples to organize their own weddings or commitment ceremonies at rented meeting rooms at the resorts, but had barred them from purchasing its Fairy Tale Wedding package and holding the event at locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World that are set aside specifically for weddings.

"We are updating our Fairy Tale Wedding guidelines to include commitment ceremonies," Disney Parks and Resorts spokesman Donn Walker said. "This is consistent with our policy of creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for all of our guests."

Walker said the change was prompted by "an inquiry from a guest that asked about this service."

Disney had allowed gay couples to take part in its vow renewals program but excluded them from buying wedding packages by requiring a valid marriage license from California or Florida, which do not permit or recognize gay marriages.

Last month, gay Web site AfterElton.com criticized Disney for not allowing same-sex couples to participate in the Fairy Tale Weddings and Honeymoons program.

Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding packages start at $8,000 and include a wedding planner, the ceremony, food and beverages, flowers and table decorations.

The Lavish Wedding Option also includes a ride to the ceremony in the Cinderella coach, costumed trumpeters heralding the couple's arrival, and attendance by Mickey and Minnie Mouse characters dressed in formal attire.

Disney has come under fire from religious conservatives, including the Southern Baptist Convention, which have accused the company of promoting a gay agenda.

The groups, which lifted an eight-year boycott of Disney in 2005, had criticized the company for such corporate policies as giving health benefits to same-sex partners of employees, allowing "Gay Day" celebrations at its theme parks and airing a prime time television show on its ABC network featuring openly gay comedian Ellen DeGeneres.

"We are not in the business of making judgments about the lifestyle of our guests. We are in the hospitality business and our parks and resorts are open to everyone," Walker said.

Source: http://today.reuters.com/news/articlene ... rss&rpc=22

-Aaron

[Poody]

Good to hear, now I know where my wedding will be at....

[Disney Duster]

Thank your for posting this, Aaron. I know you are a very faithful Christian, so I'm sure you aren't thrilled with this but I thank you for posting this and refraining any comments that could possibly be offensive to any gay forum members, though speaking your mind about your views would not be offensive to people who understood where you were coming from, I'm sure.

I have 2 main things to say about this:

1. I think this is good because it shows Disney is not exclusive. It allows everyone of every faith and belief to experience Disney magic. People have claimed Disney is very Christian and promotes Christian ideals, but then Disney does things that are seemingly un-Christian (but arguably so, as I will explain). I find this news good because it shows that they are open to everyone and they aren't just for people of the Christian faith. Although, there can be gay Christians, as in gay people who believe in Christ as their savior. Despite sinning (if they engage in homosexual activity), they still believe in and love Jesus.

2. This is arguably not really a sin in Christianity. If they don't have a preist or minister, it's not a holy matrimony, just a legal one, so it wouldn't be a sin. And if the couple got married but never had sex and just loved each other, I don't see how that would be a sin either.

I'm not trying to start something...and I certainly hope someone doesn't come in here and ruin my good intentions. I wouldn't mind discussing this civally with everyone trying to see the other person's point or giving them a chance.

[reyquila]

I'm going to be in WDW the last week of May and the first week of June and I read something about a gay week at WDW during those days. I have friends that are gay or lesbian, but I'm somewhat concerned about my kids. Everyone is entitled to happiness and to pursue it anyway they want, so it is not a moral or religious issue to me. But I want my kids to see and become aware of things at its duly time. Has someone visited WDW during this gay week, how's the atmosphere? Doing some research I found a gay Disney forum and the moderator (who was a gay man) was requesting gay visitors to refrain from public demonstrations of affection in respect of families and kids. Does someone has an advise?

[goofystitch]

I'll answer Reyquilla's comment first. My brothers are huge "Star Wars" fans, so we go to Disney World every year the last week in May and first week in June, which coincides with Disney's Gay Days. I can assure you that you shouldn't have anything to worry about. You will see a lot of men wearing the official Gay Days T-sirts (last year they were red, so you saw a lot of large groups in red shirts). However, I have yet to see two men kissing in the parks. The most you will see is two men holding hands in line or maybe standing a little closer than usual. This past trip while eating in Japan, which is communal dining so you will be at the same table with strangers, we had a gay couple dining with us and they were two of the coolest strangers we have ever eaten with. I also didn't see as many in the Magic Kingdom as I did in Epcot and MGM. Based on what I've seen, the only questions your kids will ask are "Why are all those guys wearing the same color?" and if they are old enough to read, "What does gay mean?" So I wouldn't worry too much.

As for Disney allowing gay ceremonies to take place, I think it's about time. I don't want to get into another gay discussion on here because I feel very strongly about wether it is a choice or not and I have a hard time not jumping in with what I've learned in psychology. But I think it's good that Disney tries their best to not discriminate anybody.

(P.S: I'm straight.)

[reyquila]

Thanks man!!! I'm all for gay rights and I support gay's right to marry. Everyone should have the right to follow his/her path in life. Obviously, my only concern is to address that issue with my kids before they are ready.

[Poody]

I went to Disneyland on last year's gay day and to be honest, I see just as many gay folk as I do on a normal day at Disneyland! (There's always a lot, especially their employees ) Plus its actually a very busy time of the year anyway, there's already a ton of people. You'll see big groups together with red t-shirts, maybe a few scary old men here and there.

[reyquila]

I went to Disneyland on last year's gay day and to be honest, I see just as many gay folk as I do on a normal day at Disneyland! (There's always a lot, especially their employees ) Plus its actually a very busy time of the year anyway, there's already a ton of people. You'll see big groups together with red t-shirts, maybe a few scary old men here and there.

I was at WDW in 1992 during those days and it was not that crowded. I think it will not be that bad since school will not be finished. Anyway, when you read this: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-gay-days.htm your eyebrows raise a little.

[Maerj]

Gay Days at WDW is always the first weekend in June. That Saturday is the big day for it at the Magic Kingdom. You'll see an increased prescence in the area of same sex couples. I have never seen any PDAs or inappropriate behavior. Keep in mind that the Gay Days are not just at WDW, it is at all the major theme parks in the Orlando area. Also, they always red shirts, so I'd recommend not wearing any red shirts unless you're looking for unwanted attention.

[goofystitch]

That was a pretty good article, reyquila. It bothers me when I see any form of PDA in the Disney parks. The most common form is teens making out in line. It just isn't a good place for it. I do think it's a little strange that there has to be a full event for Gay Days and that Disney doesn't inform incoming guests. It would be nice if Disney could make an itinerary for it. Such as Monday is Gay Days at the Magic Kingdom, Tuesday is Epcot, etc... That way guests with children who are fearful of their child seeing something they won't understand can opt to go to a different park that day. And that is a little dirsturbing about the way the Sheridan handles the event. There are a lot of negative stereotypes around the gay community. The only thing that I disagree with is that the writer seems to have seen many cases of homosexual PDA in the parks. I have yet to see anything more than holding hands and I've been there during Gay Days for the past 4 years. I think that if Disney wouldn't shy away from the event and would handle it like any other celebration held in Disney World, they could organize it better so that they wouldn't have any outraged parents.

[reyquila]

That was a pretty good article, reyquila. It bothers me when I see any form of PDA in the Disney parks. The most common form is teens making out in line. It just isn't a good place for it. I do think it's a little strange that there has to be a full event for Gay Days and that Disney doesn't inform incoming guests. It would be nice if Disney could make an itinerary for it. Such as Monday is Gay Days at the Magic Kingdom, Tuesday is Epcot, etc... That way guests with children who are fearful of their child seeing something they won't understand can opt to go to a different park that day. And that is a little dirsturbing about the way the Sheridan handles the event. There are a lot of negative stereotypes around the gay community. The only thing that I disagree with is that the writer seems to have seen many cases of homosexual PDA in the parks. I have yet to see anything more than holding hands and I've been there during Gay Days for the past 4 years. I think that if Disney wouldn't shy away from the event and would handle it like any other celebration held in Disney World, they could organize it better so that they wouldn't have any outraged parents.

This year the 30th of May is in Animal Kingdom, June 1st in Epcot and June 2nd in Magic Kingdom. I arranged my visit to avoid those days.

[goofystitch]

Oh. I didn't realize they already had a set schedule. That's really nice that they do that. Now if only they would tell people when they call to book their trip or have it printed in park maps and guides.

[Princess Stitch]

Oh. I didn't realize they already had a set schedule. That's really nice that they do that. Now if only they would tell people when they call to book their trip or have it printed in park maps and guides.

According to the article this is NOT a Disney sponsored event. Maybe Reyquila found out that information from reading the message boards he mentioned earlier?

[reyquila]

Oh. I didn't realize they already had a set schedule. That's really nice that they do that. Now if only they would tell people when they call to book their trip or have it printed in park maps and guides.

According to the article this is NOT a Disney sponsored event. Maybe Reyquila found out that information from reading the message boards he mentioned earlier?

The info came from ads in another forum. They were not Disney official ads, but the dates were there with some promo from hotels and a party at Pleasure Island.

[AwallaceUNC]

People have claimed Disney is very Christian and promotes Christian ideals, but then Disney does things that are seemingly un-Christian (but arguably so, as I will explain).

It is very interesting, isn't it? I've toyed with the idea of doing a podcast on the Politics of Disney, looking at the tension between a conservative foundation and liberal management and tracing the history of the company's politics. I'd want to stay away from weighing in too much with my own opinions, though, and the prospect of walking on tip-toes and over egg shells throughout a whole show in order to avoid offense has kept me from it. It's very interesting to think about, though, and I've written a little on it.

Anyways, thanks for the post!

--------

And just to clear things up... Gay Days is an entirely independent event and in no way affiliated with Disney. They aren't involved with organizing it. The Disney reservations center will not notify people of the event unless they're specifically asked, which I think is pretty reasonable of them. Anything else would come off as either a warning or a promotion and elicit unending criticism from both sides.

-Aaron

[MichaeLeah]

If they don't have a preist or minister, it's not a holy matrimony, just a legal one, so it wouldn't be a sin.

It would not be a "legal one." At least at WDW. Florida does not permit legal same-sex marriages. Furthermore, there is a likelyhood that gay marriage will be banned in Florida during the election in 2008. A ceremony at WDW would be merely a ceremony with no legal ramifications.

I think there is actually much more to this story than meets the eye. The announcement came as a result of "an inquiry from a guest that asked about this service." Policy changes like this don't come as a result of "an inquiry." I would like to suggest what I think might have happened behind the scenes. I am not certain about this but I think it is a possibility. Here is the deal, like I said, gay marriage is not permitted in Florida. However, there is no law against having a gay marriage ceremony (at least, not an enforced law). Legally, I don't think Disney can "discriminate" concerning who they allow to marry because there is currently no law to protect them from a lawsuit. I think the "inquiry" came with the threat of a potential lawsuit.

Churches are allowed to choose who they want to marry based on religious convictions but they also need to have a statement written in their bylaws to shield themselves completely from a lawsuit.

[Disney Duster]

It is very interesting, isn't it? I've toyed with the idea of doing a podcast on the Politics of Disney

Yea, you're right though, doing a show on that might get you some angry feedback from conservatives and liberals, I'm sure, and I really don't think you need that. You're show is more for discussion on what new things Disney's coming up with, and what great things they have done. I suppose fairy tale weddings are great things they offer, so it could be something you discuss, but then it would get into the whole gay thing and your podcasts might turn into something you don't want.

I'm sure you did get some negative feedback if you talked about Song of the South at all, am I right?

MichaeLeah, thanks for letting me know it was only ceremonial. And I think your theory is correct, because I'm sure lots of people inquired about gay weddings, so why would this one in particular finally convince them? The inquirers happened to have the most heart-wrenching tale of unmarried guys, as opposed to the other couples who wanted just as badly to be married? So I think a lawsuit was probably what happened.

[Anthony]

I think it's great that gay couples can have their own Fairy Tale wedding! Can I have Mickey Mouse as my best man?

[PapiBear]

Although, there can be gay Christians, as in gay people who believe in Christ as their savior. Despite sinning (if they engage in homosexual activity), they still believe in and love Jesus.

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me." - John 14:23-24, NIV

2. This is arguably not really a sin in Christianity. If they don't have a preist or minister, it's not a holy matrimony, just a legal one, so it wouldn't be a sin. And if the couple got married but never had sex and just loved each other, I don't see how that would be a sin either.

Secular legality has no bearing whatsoever on whether something is a sin in God's eyes or not. Gluttony, greed, lust, wrath, sloth, envy and pride are all perfectly legal - does that mean they're not sins? Because man's law says so?

Also, extremely few marriages are based on brotherly, Platonic love. How many couples - gay or straight - do you know, who remain chaste during their entire lives? What is the purpose of marriage? To ensure health benefits for someone else? If so, that's a flimsy reason to get married.

[PapiBear]

It bothers me when I see any form of PDA in the Disney parks.

Does that include Blackberrys?