Disney OK w/Gay Weddings

[Sarangel]

Associated Press
Friday, April 6, 2007 - Updated: 03:33 PM EST

LOS ANGELES - Same-sex couples who want to exchange vows in front of Cinderella’s Castle now have the chance.

The Walt Disney Co. had limited its Fairy Tale Wedding program to couples with valid marriage licenses, but it is now making ceremonies at its parks available to gay couples as well.

”We believe this change is consistent with Disney’s long-standing policy of welcoming every guest in an inclusive environment,” Disney Parks and Resorts spokesman Donn Walker said Friday. ”We want everyone who comes to celebrate a special occasion at Disney to feel welcome and respected.”

The company said it made the change after being contacted by a gay couple who wanted to use the wedding service, which offers ceremonies at Disneyland in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disney’s cruise ships.

The service offers flowers, dining, music and many optional Disney touches, from ceremonies in front of the parks’ iconic attractions to having Mickey and Minnie Mouse in formal wear as guests. The packages start at $8,000 and can cost more than $45,000.

Groups not affiliated with Disney have held annual ”gay days” celebrations at Disney parks for years. Company officials have taken a tolerant attitude to the weekend, allowing party promoters to rent out parks after hours and rebuffing religious groups that condemned Disney.

In 2005, Southern Baptists ended an eight-year boycott of the Walt Disney Co. for violating ”moral righteousness and traditional family values.”

I'm not sure whether they did this for the money or for the right reason, but kudos to Disney for doing the right thing.

 

[EUROPACL]

OMG I wonder if they even thought about changing the name...."Fairy Tale Wedding program".


I mean really come on sometimes I really don't think Disney thinks these things out. I could care less about them allowing gays to book the package now...they should maybe think about a name change.

 

[MJMcBride]

Disney has for many years been one of the most gay-friendly corps around. From the "gay days" to providing benefits to gay employee's partners. Good for them.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Kudos to Disney, whatever reason was behind it...My biggest surprise is that it came from the uber conservative Iger regime instead of the quite liberal Eisner regime..regardless, way to go!!!

 

[JimmyMartin]

Bad idea. I have always been opposed to this and hope it does not happen too often.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Disney has for many years been one of the most gay-friendly corps around. From the "gay days" to providing benefits to gay employee's partners. Good for them.

I was just thinking that. Good for Disney!

 

[Kim&Chris]

Bad idea. I have always been opposed to this and hope it does not happen too often.

How could this be a bad idea? Gay people deserve the same opportunity to marry their SO as the rest of us. I say 'good for Disney' and hope other positive things will follow.

 

[dunnhorn]

My only issue would be walking in to see a male "bride" being photographed on the staircase of the Grand Floridian. How will I explain that to my 5 year old?

My husband made the comment that Disney better put some reins on this horse, otherwise we could see coachmen dressed in pastel pink suits with a rainbow bumper sticker on the carriage.

 

[Big Dipper]

My only issue would be walking in to see a male "bride" being photographed on the staircase of the Grand Floridian. How will I explain that to my 5 year old?

My husband made the comment that Disney better put some reins on this horse, otherwise we could see coachmen dressed in pastel pink suits with a rainbow bumper sticker on the carriage.

No need for you to explain anything. It sounds like your husband is fully in touch with his ignorant side. Let him do the talking so he can pass the torch down.

 

[Big Dipper]

Bad idea. I have always been opposed to this and hope it does not happen too often.

Always been opposed to what? Equal rights for all? Civil rights? Companies doing the right thing? When you go to WDW, what end of the Disney bus do you ride on?

 

[11290]

How could this be a bad idea? Gay people deserve the same opportunity to marry their SO as the rest of us. I say 'good for Disney' and hope other positive things will follow.

It's a bad idea, if for no other reason, it is against the law in Florida for same sex marriages. See Florida statute below:

741.212 Marriages between persons of the same sex.--

(1) Marriages between persons of the same sex entered into in any jurisdiction, whether within or outside the State of Florida, the United States, or any other jurisdiction, either domestic or foreign, or any other place or location, or relationships between persons of the same sex which are treated as marriages in any jurisdiction, whether within or outside the State of Florida, the United States, or any other jurisdiction, either domestic or foreign, or any other place or location, are not recognized for any purpose in this state.

 

[basejaxx]

Just think about it!
Without Coloured, Jewish and Gay People there would be no Disney Park!!!
I am living in Europe, we have a female president in Germany and did you know that Mayors in Paris, Hamburg and Berlin are officially gay? I don't understand the buzz going on about gay marriage in the USA. Isn't it supposed to be the free land? Even in catholic conservative Spain you have gay marriage with same rights as marriage between two different sexes.
If your 5 years old child asks about a gay couple on stairs at the Gran Floridian? Just tell the TRUTH! Do you wanna lie to your child? Do you wanna ignore people's diversity and not prepare your child for future society?
I don't want to count all gay employees at Disney - they are everywhere: Cast Members, Imagineers, Animators, etc... THAT'S HOW IT IS AND IT IS DAMN GOOD!!!

 

[HarambeGuy]

It's a bad idea, if for no other reason, it is against the law in Florida for same sex marriages. See Florida statute below:

741.212 Marriages between persons of the same sex.--

(1) Marriages between persons of the same sex entered into in any jurisdiction, whether within or outside the State of Florida, the United States, or any other jurisdiction, either domestic or foreign, or any other place or location, or relationships between persons of the same sex which are treated as marriages in any jurisdiction, whether within or outside the State of Florida, the United States, or any other jurisdiction, either domestic or foreign, or any other place or location, are not recognized for any purpose in this state.

Not recognized is NOT the same as illegal. It only means that a gay couple will not enjoy the same rights as a hetero one.

 

[Claire L]

At least gay couples can now enjoy a ceremony at Disney, although they can not be LEGALLY married at least they can still use the same facilities as a heterosexual couple for their ceremony.

Well done Disney for making it a special place for everyone.

Claire

 

[HarambeGuy]

My only issue would be walking in to see a male "bride" being photographed on the staircase of the Grand Floridian. How will I explain that to my 5 year old?

My husband made the comment that Disney better put some reins on this horse, otherwise we could see coachmen dressed in pastel pink suits with a rainbow bumper sticker on the carriage.

You're making a lot of assumptions here. How do you know it wouldn't be both men in tuxedos? Or two bride dresses? Or a woman in a tux and another in a bridal gown? There are many additional possibilities that don't involve the basic tux/gown combination.

(Additional comment deleted to help keep the thread from being closed... )

 

[dunnhorn]

You're making a lot of assumptions here. How do you know it wouldn't be both men in tuxedos? Or two bride dresses? Or a woman in a tux and another in a bridal gown? There are many additional possibilities that don't involve the basic tux/gown combination.

(Additional comment deleted to help keep the thread from being closed... )

I think you missed my point. We all know that couples come in all different ways, and in my personal opinion it is really none of my business or the government's concern who someone chooses to share his or her life with. However - with this - what would stop a guy dressing in drag for his wedding, if he so chose? What is Disney going to say - NO? My point is that this is a slippery slope. I wouldn't want to see/explain this to my kids any more than I would want to see/explain two women wearing white wedding dresses kissing on the Floridian steps. I am very sure I am not alone in this.

Like it or not, pro-gay marriage or not - everyone has got to appreciate that this is controversial. There are certain segments of society who have been boycotting Disney for various reasons - this will only add fuel to the fire. Some of you may care about that, some of you may not. That is also not really the point - the point is objectively, this is controversial in our society today. I wonder if Disney will make any restrictions on it - or limit any guest requests (i.e. footmen dressing in pink)... probably not.

 

[crazy4wdw]

This thread has the potential of being closed down or deleted. Please remember to be courteous to other posters regarding your comments. As others have already mentioned, people have divergent views on this topic and discussions can become contentious. Just becasue you disagree with someone's viewpoint or opinion, it does not mean that you have to attack them on these forums.

Thanks, your friendly moderator.

 

[Claire L]

I think you missed my point. We all know that couples come in all different ways, and in my personal opinion it is really none of my business or the government's concern who someone chooses to share his or her life with. However - with this - what would stop a guy dressing in drag for his wedding, if he so chose? What is Disney going to say - NO? My point is that this is a slippery slope. I wouldn't want to see/explain this to my kids any more than I would want to see/explain two women wearing white wedding dresses kissing on the Floridian steps. I am very sure I am not alone in this.

Alot of blokes have got better legs than women anyway!

Why not explain it to your kids that everyone is different and that you can be who you want to be?

Claire

 

[peter pan217]

come on what is up with this! I try to defend disney not supporting gay people but this is a little to far

 

[swarlock]

I applasud them for their forward thinking.