Posted on 04/05/2007 5:45:31 PM PDT by Dirtysnowbank
Disney opens Fairy Tale Weddings to gay couples
Thu Apr 5, 2007 7:11 PM 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.
Is there a typo in the article? Did they really mean “fairy tale” or “fairy tail”? Just wondering?...
when it comes (no pun) to "gay" weddings....
Are you really serious???
Not in the business of making judgments? SO I expect you'll gleefully be announcing "Pedophilia Week" next, eh Mr Walker?
Or they could just mean “Fairy Weddings.”
er, ya beat me to it rwi
He was a devout Catholic, it’s a disgrace what they’re doing to his name.
“Gay” marriage is illegal in just about everywhere.
it's here:
http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/2619/gswspoisonkissua3.jpg
Are you a dentist? Have you ever taken a gay customer? If you aren’t a dentist I’m sure you’ve been paid for many things in your life. If anybody who gave you money is gay (and I guarantee some were) does that mean your going to allow Pedophiles into your home, eh theDentist?
Disney? gay weddings?
Not Scrappleface?
What in the hell is going on in this country?
(purely a rhetorical question)
There are some people in Arizona and Utah who’d like to marry three women at once. Would Disney’s respectful and inclusive policy oblige?
You know, I clicked on this story just so I could type that exact joke.
“He was a devout Catholic, it’s a disgrace what they’re doing to his name.”
I believe he was Presbyterian, and his wife was a Mormon.
I do understand why Disney had wanted its "Fairy Tale Weddings" to require valid licenses in either FL or CA.
Not the same thing. Two men trying to get married is all about their flouting of nature and tradition and the meaning of marriage. A guy trying to get his teeth cleaned is just that - a guy trying to get his teeth cleaned; his bedroom practices are irrelevent.
You are not allowed to post anything related to what gays do physically with each other here. Certainly not using a word that rymes with "species". It will get you kicked off for a few days. Some mods appear to be supportive of the "lifestyle"....
The more accurate question would be whether he permitted a same sex couple to perform a wedding ceremony in his office.
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