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.
Just as a side note, in my FL paper a few days ago it said they arrested three disney employees for some sort of pedophilia offense.
I doubt that. I suspect it's a matter of taste - they don't want to inflict pictures of disgusting perversion on the rest of us.
Yes, totally unrelated. Or maybe not.
Ick
I;m off to wash my eyes
Frankly I’m not particularly fond of this decision by Disney either. What bothers me is concept (that I have seen many times on FR) that if you allow gay marriage/civil unions, that the next step is legalizing pedophilia.
You might have been trying to illustrate absurdity by being absurd and if so I owe you an apology. If not then we differ greatly on this issue.
OW! now I have to go clean my retinas.
Yup, they should just call them Fairy Weddings. Can you just picture two homos in a Cinderella coach?
Fairey weddings? Where’s the conflict?
Name the film or don’t start rumors.
I certainly did not start that rumor. It was report in the media.
Oh? I always heard Disney was Roman Catholic, wikipedia (heh) has him listed as a “Congregationalist”.
At least they can wear their faerie princess costumes now...
not too fine a point but it is a “commitment ceremony” there are no homosexual marriages in FL. They can’t get a marriage license in the state.
Is this hidden from public? I would imagine these are concealed in the respective hall.
The real issue is strictly money. What young woman wants ANY kind of wedding in a place that two pooftas have had their “commitment ceremony.”? answer: NONE.
Money will talk. Its up to the brides.
ping
Dinsey corporate is just insane. I have heard - but never seen - an underground newsletter in that corporation that supposedly used to exist (or still does) that chronicles a lot of that crap. I’d love to see one turn up on ebay!
I know, I know, and you’re right...I live in Florida..bout 20 mins from Disney and their is no gay marriage here.
Just some days...you know..it’s all too much.
True enough. I wonder if Disney can exist on a diet that consists of only 'gay' money.
Disney used to be 'safe' family entertainment.
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