Posted on 04/05/2007 10:04:49 PM PDT by Lady J USA 1981
Disney opens Fairy Tale Weddings to gay couples Fri Apr 6, 2007 7:47 AM IST
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.
© Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved.
I did search guess I didn’t look hard enough *lol*
Well? What more appropriate group could there possibly be to have Fairy Tale Weddings?
Kinda appropriate when you think about it.
I bet walt disney is turning in his grave.
Not quite the family oriented activity Walt had in mind!
Disney and my family have parted ways. All that remains is a Winny the Pooh Stuffed Bear.
I knew Peter Pan was gay...
Ahh.
Why would they waste so much time putting so much focus on 5% or 10% of the population.
It is all about a political agenda. I know homosexuals who are good, honest and decent human beings. Most homosexual couples are not intrested in gay rights at disney world.
More like “Fairy Tail Weddings”...
Oh, shoot, did I type that out loud?!
Sorry.
It happens to the best of us. ;0)
These stories have been around for some time!
I more or less regard Disney in the same way that I look at Europe; sure I’d like to see it, but there’s an awful lot of very cool stuff to see right here in the good ol’ USA.
While I’ve also parted ways with Disney I have to admit that my kids and I have a special place in our hearts for “Mulan”.
Disney. (Spit!)
IMHO, a disney fairytale wedding mocks marriage regardless of who is involved in it. That such mockery is now open to people who consummate their commitment by inserting their penis into their partners anus (or some other perverted and always sterile form of achieving orgasm) is not such a shock. Any normal couples who think a marriage should in any way be associated with cartoon characters has no clue what marriage is - so why fault the homos for doing the ame thing? It is heteros who have for the past 50 years mocked marriage that have set the stage for this newest mockery.
It would be interesting to see the longevity stats on the disney marriages to date - I bet it is appalling. Of course, this new policy change will only bring that number down.
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are...
Shouldn’t this be called the “Fudge-Package” ?
Your numbers are high.
1.4% of Adults Homosexual? (the largest random sex survey ever conducted says yes) Canada
Stopped going to any Disney theme parks (and most other parks) years agao. Stopped attending Disney (and all other) features at cinemas years ago. Never have purchased a Disney DVD. Avoiding Disney products altogether, even kids pix software.
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