Disney lets gays and lesbians have fairy tale weddings

[Miss Mango]

Source

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- 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."

ABOUT DAMN TIME!!!

It really pissed me off when they didn't allow for a Gay & Lesbian day at Disneyland, and I can understand why they didn't, but GET USED TO IT, you're not getting rid of the homosexual community.

I'm glad they are finally pulling their heads out of their butts, even if it is just to expand their client base / money.

Everyone should be entitled, regardless of things such as sexual preference, to participate in whatever they choose.

[Lady Sage]

Now if we could get them to have Mickey and Donald in formal dress or Minnie and Daisy instead of Mickey and Minnie we would be alright!

[World's King]

"On the tour... right when Jaws pops out of the water... "

[Ourcrazymodern?]

This strikes me as an odd news item. Disney? Heh.

[KellyC]

I wonder what would happen if Disney decide to take it a step further and create a cartoon where the main character is gay/lesbian?

Now THAT should be interesting.

[World's King]

Chip and Dale...

The chipmunks... ?

[Taltos]

Weren't they both into Gidget?

[Willravel]

That's that gayest thing I've ever heard, and I couldn't be happier to hear it. It's great to hear that Disney won't discriminate like so many others will. I wish all of those couples well, and I hope this is altruistically motivated.

[Charlatan]

Very smart business move on their part.

[Fire]

This is encourageing, in america, money rules, and now that money has seen the buying power of the gay and lesbian community, can equality be far behind?

[Bill O'Rights]

Originally Posted by willravel

I hope this is altruistically motivated.

Originally Posted by Charlatan

Very smart business move on their part.

[Val_1]

I'm glad to hear that Disney is taking such a bold social move! I applaud them. Disney is big enough and strong enough that they don't need to fear pressure from picketing and boycotts.

If I remember right, a group (AFA?) did attempt to boycott Disney when they started having the "gay days" at their parks. But Disney held firm and they eventually called off their boycott (though they did somehow try to claim a victory in the battle).

Now, if other large companies (cough, Wal-Mart) would stop caving in to the stupid demands of small fringe hate groups that attempt to set America back 50 years.

[Cavi Mike]

I see this as nothing more than a

Originally Posted by Charlatan

Very smart business move on their part.

and nothing more. Just like the Frog Princess, Disney must have noticed their stocks weren't meeting projected numbers and decided to make some money off the minors instead of only turning their nose up at them.

[Charlatan]

Originally Posted by Cavi Mike

I see this as nothing more than aand nothing more. Just like the Frog Princess, Disney must have noticed their stocks weren't meeting projected numbers and decided to make some money off the minors instead of only turning their nose up at them.

I see no reason why this should be a thumbs down. What? You were expecting a large corporation to be doing something for altruistic reasons?

The fact that Disney, or any business, normalizes relations with a minority group is a good thing. It sends a message to the majority that is loud and clear. Money is money, regardless of your race, colour, creed, gender or sexual preference.

[analog]

Originally Posted by Lady Sage

Now if we could get them to have Mickey and Donald in formal dress or Minnie and Daisy instead of Mickey and Minnie we would be alright!

Opening up to couples of all kinds is great, but parading straight characters out in same-sex pairs would be completely inappropriate. Lots of straight folk go to the weddings of same-sex couples. There's absolutely no reason for them to be pairing off characters any way than they normally would.

[fightnight]

Bravo Disney. /agree with Analog.

[Elphaba]

Psst...Analog, she was joking.

Disney has been under an evangelical boycott ever since they dedicated a day at the park for gays. I doubt they have much to worry about economically, if my evangelical friend is representative of the whole. She badmouths Disney every chance she gets, and takes her family of seven to the park every year. I remind her that as boycotters go, she falls short of the mark.

Good on Disney.

[lurkette]

Actually the Southern Baptist Convention (that was the group boycotting Disney) called off the boycott with little fanfare some time in the last year or two. It really didn't make a bit of difference, and they retreated with their tail between their legs, as it were.

[relenawolf]

I'm glad to see that Disney is doing this. They put their necks on the line with the Southern Baptist's pocket of their GLBT park days and continuing sponsorship of Ellen Degeneres, and I'm glad they've now moved another logical step forward. From the castmembers that I've talked to in Orlando, they say the GLBT days are some of the times they like to work best. (I have a family member who has worked at WDW for several years.)

This at least minimally offsets my anger at them for starting the "Disney Princess Brides" line of bridal gowns.

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by lurkette

Actually the Southern Baptist Convention (that was the group boycotting Disney) called off the boycott with little fanfare some time in the last year or two. It really didn't make a bit of difference, and they retreated with their tail between their legs, as it were.

Thanks for the update. I love the result.

[Dilbert1234567]

another first for Disney, a black lead role
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17524865/

Originally Posted by Lady Sage

Now if we could get them to have Mickey and Donald in formal dress or Minnie and Daisy instead of Mickey and Minnie we would be alright!

I'd pay to see Donald in a formal dress, covered in sequins, glistening black sequins.

[Lady Sage]

Dont forget the Ruby red lipstick and bright blue eyeshadow. I think it would be a gas! If for no other reason than to have fun!

[percy]

Poor Keith Richards. Probably wishes now he rolled naked in his fathers ashes rather than allegedly snorting them.

But that would make him a metrosexual pirate then, wouldn't it?