The Walt Disney
Co. has changed its policy and will allow same-sex
couples to take part in its Fairy Tale Wedding program at
its California and Orlando, Fla., resorts and cruises,
a Disney spokesman confirmed Friday.
The change
follows criticism from LGBT news outlets, which noted that
Disney has long hosted same-sex nuptials and other gay
events on an unofficial basis but did not allow gay
couples to use its dedicated wedding venues or
services.
It anticipates
Disney World's unofficial but wildly popular Gay Days in
early June, when tens of thousands of LGBT mouseketeers
converge on the Orlando resort.
"We want everyone
who comes to Disney to recognize their special
occasion to feel welcomed and respected," Disney Parks and
Resorts spokesman Donn Walker told Gay.com on Friday.
Social
conservatives have sometimes seen a "gay agenda" or other
perceived moral flaws in the entertainment giant's business
dealings, such as its health benefits for employees'
same-sex partners or the TV series Desperate
Housewives on the Disney-owned ABC network. The
Southern Baptist Convention, among others, boycotted
all things Disney from 1997 to 2005.
Walker said the
latest move was prompted by a same-sex couple's request
for a commitment ceremony at one of the parks.
"We believe our
guests will understand that we're not making judgments
about people," he said. "We're recognizing the
diversity that already exists among our guests."
Same-sex couples
now can command a huge arsenal of wedding options of
varying degrees of Disney-ness. Packages start at $8,000,
including a wedding planner, the ceremony, food,
beverages, and table decorations. They range up to and
include the fabled pony-drawn Cinderella wedding coach
($2,700) and the expertise of celebrity event maven David
Tutera.
Couples can bring
in their own celebrant or have one provided for what is
officially dubbed a commitment ceremony. For some time,
Disney has offered Fairy Tale vow-renewals for
same-sex couples at the parks.
One thing that's
not possible, however, is to have a reception graced by
two Mickey Mouses or two Minnies. (The hetero mouse couple
is a sometime wedding-dance request.)
"This never
happens in any circumstance at any of our parks,"
Walker said. "Because, you see, there's only one Mickey."
(Barbara Wilcox, The Advocate)
Charlie Kirk DID say stoning gay people was the 'perfect law' — and these other heinous quotes