Disney OK w/Gay Weddings

[Barbers2005]

My point is that wedding attire is so personal, and there are so many variations of "acceptable" attire that it seems it would be difficult to enforce "correct gender" clothing. Much easier to enforce a certain level of dressiness (as at V&A and such). What if the bride wants to wear a suit (many 2nd marriages esp do wear a white suit), what if she wants to wear a tuxedo (and if she wasn't allowed, how is that so much different from a suit?). Some cultures wear robes or skirtlike garb (ie kilts) for men during marriage cerimonies- would those be allowed but not a dress? It just seems to me that it would be too gray and Disney would stand to upset a lot of people by trying to enforce a strict gown-women, suit-men dress code to avoid the possibility of a man dressing in drag (which would probably be an extremely rare occurance). Besides, they would only be able to enforce the dress code for the bride and groom because guests aren't required to disclose their sex. I have this image of CM's offending some masculine looking woman (or feminine looking man) by telling them to go change their clothes.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

A few points...

• Disney will not facilitate wedding events that involve inappropriate, offensive displays and that subject other guests to such displays, regardless of whether the couple is female-male, female-female, or male-male. For example, you won't see a nudist wedding party walking down the steps at the Grand Floridian (or even behind closed doors at the Disney Wedding Pavilion).
• I'm sure that some same-sex couples have chosen to have "shocking" wedding ceremonies (not involving Disney), but I would expect same-sex couples who look to Disney for their weddings to want the same kind of "Disney magic" as other couples.
• Disney wedding ceremonies occur at places like the Disney Wedding Pavilion; if you're not invited, you won't see it.
• In the unlikely case that a couple looks to Disney for a "shocking" wedding ceremony, I think Disney wedding CMs will politely explain that that's not one of the options.
• If some people are offended simply because two people of the same sex love each other and want to commit to each other, then perhaps those people should ask themselves why they have a problem with that.
• There are still people who find interracial couples "wrong" and offensive. There are probably still people who wish that Jim Crow laws were still valid. I feel no need to be "open minded" about such opinions.
• If children see a gay or lesbian couple and ask questions to their parents, then it's a good opportunity to give an age-appropriate answer.
• To all couples who have Disney wedding ceremonies, I wish you a wonderful future together!
• And to all couples who have Disney wedding ceremonies... you are really willing spend an average of $28 thousand to Disney for your wedding? Yikes? Is it worth it?

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

HH, your last comment reminds that last weekend while boating past the wedding pavilion at the GF my youngest daughter (13) said "that's where I'm getting married" and then looked at me. I said it's "OK with me as long as you're marrying rich and they offer to pay"! So, we got that out of the way!

 

[YoHo]

In the world of Weddings, $28,000 ain't that much.


This thread is a hoot, though I gotta say it turned out friendlier then I expected.

Anyway, you already run the chance of seeing crossdressers in the park. A couple years ago, I went to DL druring their gay days (I didn't even know they had them.)

There were a lot of people taking pictures with Cruella DeVille.....Except that Cruella wasn't a Cast Member and Cruella was in fact not female.
He looked fabulous in the fur coat though.

Every day Pleasure Island has coeds both straight and gay doing things that children shouldn't see and yet parents bring em through.

Heck, I was just at Vegas this weekend and the stroller jam through the pussycat dolls casino area at midnight was kinda disgusting.



I'm not sure what my point is there except that evidence suggests that many parents are in fact, morons.

Also, I bet the worst part of a kid seeing a gay wedding (male) is being jealous of the absolutly fabulous replica of Cindy's dress that the guy would where, because let's face it, they know people.

 

[evaready51]

It is about time, I am thrilled that Disney did this...everyone deserves their shot at happiness!
Nothing to explain to children...they are very accepting until narrow minded adults corrupt them!!!

 

[rocketriter]

We live in a very conservative surburban area of the south and in our world, I just don't think it is a concept that he would be ready for quite yet. Don't flame me - I am the mom and know our kids the best. -

No flame necessary. Your position is thoughtful and not at all mean-spirited.

 

[RickinNYC]

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.

The chances of that happening are slim to none, and I would absolutely appreciate it if you didn't generalize that gay men have the tendency to dress in drag, wear pastel pink suits or wave rainbow flags. The absolute vast majority likely look, dress and act just like your husband. It is the very small minority that are the most flamboyant that receives the most press, hence they are the ones that stick out in the minds of those not otherwise exposed to the community.

If my partner or I were standing next to you in line for an attraction, I can assure you that you would sooner think we both ditched our wives and kids to get a few minutes reprieve.

Please don't generalize.

 

[RickinNYC]

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

Rest assured, it's going to happen a LOT more frequently than you think. In fact, I can tell you that there's one male couple that has already made contact with Disney to get this party started.

That would be my partner and I.

 

[RickinNYC]

OK, we'll try to keep it to an absolute minimum!!!

BTW, my partner and I have been together for 21 years and raised two adopted medically fragile children to productive adulthood. I'm also an ordained minister in a mainline congregation.

Your turn!

Just wanted to add to what Viki posted by saying that my parter and I have been together in a committed relationship for 16 and a half years. I gave up a lucrative career in the sales/marketing field and a hefty salary so that I could do something of more substance in the community. As a result I'm the director of volunteer services in a major NYC based non-profit that provides services to homeless adults, most of whom have drug/alcohol addictions issues combined with varying levels of mental illness. My partner Joe gave up a 16 year career in the legal contracts department of the second largest publishing house in the world to become an English teacher in a local public junior high school.

And we're evil and shouldn't be allowed to have a commitment ceremony in Disney World because it offends someone else's sensibilities.

Gotcha.

 

[dunnhorn]

The chances of that happening are slim to none, and I would absolutely appreciate it if you didn't generalize that gay men have the tendency to dress in drag, wear pastel pink suits or wave rainbow flags. The absolute vast majority likely look, dress and act just like your husband. It is the very small minority that are the most flamboyant that receives the most press, hence they are the ones that stick out in the minds of those not otherwise exposed to the community.

If my partner or I were standing next to you in line for an attraction, I can assure you that you would sooner think we both ditched our wives and kids to get a few minutes reprieve.

Please don't generalize.

Um, I'm not generalizing anything or anyone. I'm talking about what *could* happen, and if you read through the rest of the threads you will see that we expanded this thought to not just relate directly to cross dressing at gay weddings (which yes, may happen in the extreme minority but still may happen - is that a generalization to say that?) to just tacky weddings in general. I think that one other person summed it up best with the thought that those who would want to have a marriage ceremony at Disney (and pay that ching) will do so for the "magic" and will want the magical, tasteful experience. I would agree with this and hope it to be the case.

I have known and have been very good friends with (and have had a crush on) enough gay men in my life to know that everyone does not walk around with a feather boa... or even have one in the closet. The only generalization I have or can make about gay folks is that they want to be treated and have the same rights as everyone else. My dilemma was trying to reconcile how I would deal with explaining the groom/groom or bride/bride or drag wedding to my very young and very inquisitive children if we happened to see it in progression at the Grand Floridian. Folks on this list have given me some good thoughts - and I am comfortable that I will be better equipped to handle it gracefully should the situation arise.

 

[daisax]

Congratulations, Rick! I wish you and your partner every wedding dream come true.

I wonder if Disney will make any restrictions on it - or limit any guest requests (i.e. footmen dressing in pink)...​

I've only witnessed one Disney wedding, and that was from a slight distance, as I came out of the GF spa and Cinderella's carriage was sitting outside. I believe the footmen were dressed in the palest pastel blue.

Baby blue satin isn't that much more butch than pink, if that's the sort of thing that frightens you!

 

[OrlandoMike]

I believe the footmen were dressed in the palest pastel blue.

FYI not all of the "Footmen" are men, so the "drag" issue is a moot point at this point isn't it?

History lesson......Way back in the day, to insure the ugly step sisters in the Electrical Light Parade were indeed "ugly" men were used!

 

[MJMcBride]

I'm not sure what my point is there except that evidence suggests that many parents are in fact, morons.

Also, I bet the worst part of a kid seeing a gay wedding (male) is being jealous of the absolutly fabulous replica of Cindy's dress that the guy would where, because let's face it, they know people.

what he said

 

[HarambeGuy]

Rest assured, it's going to happen a LOT more frequently than you think. In fact, I can tell you that there's one male couple that has already made contact with Disney to get this party started.

That would be my partner and I.

That's great

I've read your posts in a LOT of forums (I read a lot, post a little) and wish you and your partner nothing but the best. You seem like the kind of people the world could use a lot more of. Just be sure to let us know how it all turns out if you get a ceremony booked!

 

[MJMcBride]

I have known and have been very good friends with (and have had a crush on) enough gay men in my life to know that everyone does not walk around with a feather boa... or even have one in the closet.

they don't?

 

[RHall]

Kudos to Disney for doing what did you call it "the right thing"?

You are sadly misguided and must be delusional if you think this is the "right thing". This is just another surrender in the war over traditional values this nation is facing. America is now the equivalent of the Modern Roman and Greek Civilizations that rotted from within before they were conquered from the outside.

 

[RHall]

People (and I use this term loosely) on this board who ballyhoo this nonsense saying that children will not be affected adversely are self-indulgent, pompous and clueless. Disney had better be careful because they are about to find out just what the majority of persons believe about homosexuality. It is an abomination.

 

[RHall]

The only reason that the overwhelming majority of people on this thread are happy about this development is because the majority of people (and I assure you that the people on this thread are in the overwhelming minority on this issue) saw the topic and avoid it like the plague (which is what I should have done).

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Rest assured, it's going to happen a LOT more frequently than you think. In fact, I can tell you that there's one male couple that has already made contact with Disney to get this party started.

That would be my partner and I.

Congratulations!

It's good to see love triumph over hatred.

 

[RickinNYC]

People (and I use this term loosely) on this board who ballyhoo this nonsense saying that children will not be affected adversely are self-indulgent, pompous and clueless. Disney had better be careful because they are about to find out just what the majority of persons believe about homosexuality. It is an abomination.

I honestly and truly pray for people like you. Must be very, very difficult to live one's life in constant judgement of others. I suggest you look inside yourself and deal with your own issues before enforcing your concept of morality on others.

Hatred isn't moral.