Disney, Homosexuals and the Free Market

CNSNews.com ^ | 8/08/03 | Scott Hogenson

[kattracks]

A growing number of conservatives are at odds with Disney and the homosexual movement over 'Gay Days,' a June event in which homosexuals converge on various Disney properties and associated establishments in Orlando, Florida and environs.

While this event is not formally sanctioned by Disney - it's grown from a local grass-roots homosexual movement into an event of global notoriety - one must presume that 'Gay Days' is in Disney's best interest.

Forget for a moment from whose pocket the money comes during this observance; it's all green and it all adds to the corporate bottom line and those of Disney's shareholders. From a purely free market perspective, this could be called all well and good. Business is business and it's safe to say 'Gay Days' will continue until it no longer contributes to Disney's corporate success.

This begs the question of what would be required to shift 'Gay Days' from a financial positive to a financial negative. Consider the case of Virginia Beach in the late 1980s.

Throughout that decade, college kids increasingly came to Virginia Beach for a final end-of-summer blowout over the Labor Day weekend before heading back to school. As time went by, this informal congregation of college kids grew and came to be known as Greekfest, a reference to the fraternity and sorority status of many attendees.

By 1989, the Virginia Beach Labor Day event had grown to such proportions that some 100,000 kids would converge on the resort city. The consumer dollars spent and tax dollars collected were an economic boon for the area. Unfortunately, that was the year this unsanctioned event erupted into a two-day riot, which left several kids dead and millions in property damage, not to mention the damage to the city's reputation, which lingered for years afterward.

In the case of Virginia Beach, it took a full scale riot replete with M-16 toting National Guardsmen to realize that Greekfest was no longer an asset but a liability. It compromised the brand Virginia Beach wanted to present to the public, so the city took steps to reinforce the brand image of being a family resort venue.

The city established a Labor Day Task Force Commission, which assumed the chores of figuring out what led to the 1989 riots and how to prevent a repeat of that spectacle.

Over the years, a series of measures were implemented, ranging from increased police patrols to the 'Beach Behavior Campaign,' and increased surveillance measures, some of which were quite controversial and raised legitimate civil liberties questions.

A crescendo was struck this spring when city officials leaned on hoteliers to cancel their accommodation of the "Sexology Expo," an event featuring porno-movie actresses and a variety of sex oriented events, among other things.

The cancellation of the Sexology Expo generated its own controversy over stifling free expression and so forth, but Virginia Beach made a decision; pornography conventions were inconsistent with the brand image the city wanted to project.

What Virginia Beach essentially did was decide to target one segment of the marketplace at the expense of another. It was less a moral decision, as some critics argued, as it was a business decision.

This is a question Disney may soon have to answer for itself insofar as 'Gay Days' is concerned. Which segment of the market does Disney wish to exploit; the segment comprised of families looking for a quality vacation venue or a segment comprised of people from a societal fringe?

For the time being, it appears Disney wants both markets, and who can blame them? It means (theoretically) more revenues, more profits and higher shareholder returns. The larger question is whether they will be able to successfully continue tapping into both markets.

The company, while not formally sanctioning 'Gay Days,' certainly appears to cater to the clientele of this event, based on video of certain Disney entertainment venues taken by the Christian Action Network, which opposes the 'Gay Days' observance.

Maybe Disney can continue its appeal for both the family and homosexual resort markets; maybe it can't. In either case, the company per se probably will not determine Disney's market reach as much as the marketplace will determine it. Those in their respective markets will primarily answer the question of which market segment provides the greatest return for Disney.

It's a safe bet that 'Gay Days' will continue until it becomes a financial liability for Disney. Until then, conservatives opposed to the homosexual gathering will need more than righteous indignation to make their point.

Scott Hogenson is executive editor of CNSNews.com.

Send a Letter to the Editor about this commentary.

[mvpel]

Until then, conservatives opposed to the homosexual gathering will need more than righteous indignation to make their point.

I thought conservatives were supposed to support the Constitution, in particular the right to freely assemble.

[kattracks]

Exactly, and they also may support their right not to assemble.

[ultima ratio]

It's already hurt Disney--though Disney won't admit it. But their hands-off policy has already turned-off a huge number of families who are religious.

[weegee]

Disney parks were designed for children. Adults who hold gatherings on the basis of their sexual proclivities may be better suited to meet elsewhere.

[upcountryhorseman]

Walt Disney would turn over in his grave! It isn't about
money: A company that is noted for family type
entertainment has no business allowing themselves to
be associated with this sort of activity.

[FormerLib]

Disney parks were designed for children. Adults who hold gatherings on the basis of their sexual proclivities may be better suited to meet elsewhere.

Clearly, one of the motivations of these adults is to gain access to other people's children.

[JesseHousman]

It's just another milestone on the highway mapped out by those generals who march forward with the Homosexual Agenda For America tucked under their arm!

For over three decades, homosexual activists have tirelessly pursued their satanic vision of an America in which their behavior is affirmed and their critics are silenced.

The Supreme Court's ruling overturning sodomy laws opens the door to the complete triumph of the homosexual agenda -- and the end of free-speech rights for all who have faith-based objections to endorsing, funding or supporting homosexual behavior.

A six-point strategy was laid out by two homosexual leaders in the late 1980s, to radically alter America's understanding of homosexual behavior. How all six of these points are being carried out in present-day American culture.

Homosexual activists have made progress by infiltrating, influencing and intimidating people in every major power structure -- including the media, education, government, corporate America, and even the major churches.

Homosexual activists are using corporate employment policies to promote homosexual behavior -- and to stigmatize, isolate and silence employees who express opposition.

"Gay rights" legislation in many states sets severe punishments for those who do not agree with its demands while the homosexual agenda is being pushed to elementary school children, starting in kindergarten. Then there's the little-known proposal to implement a full-scale indoctrination of children to accept and affirm homosexual behavior. Unfortunately, the indoctrination in our public schools has been all too successful while liberal churches exist for little more than promoting homosexual behavior.

Homosexual propagandists have been extremely skillful in portraying anyone who opposes them as sympathetic to, or even complicit in, violence against homosexuals.

They have succeeded in "piggybacking" their agenda on legitimate causes such as equal rights for racial minorities and Hollywood helps by replacing old stereotypes with new ones that idealize homosexuals and demonize their opponents.

The fundraising power of the homosexual movement extorts money from corporations and foundations while, thanks to the Lavender Tower, homosexual behavior and its promotion have become pervasive at colleges and universities.

"Domestic partner" policies and "civil unions" are aimed at the wholesale destruction of marriage (as one influential homosexual writer actually boasted) are aimed at homosexual adoption: a devastating critique of the sloppy, poorly-documented studies that helped it gain acceptance.

[vpintheak]

Most real families (husband, wife, children) do not want to visit this den of depravity, especially on any "Gay Day."

[Mamzelle]

What are the days that homosexuals converge on Disney--the dates, that is?

[diamond6]

They have the right to assemble, and I, as a Catholic conservative have the right not to patronize Disney, Touchstone, Miramax, ABC etc etc.

[f.Christian]

To: kattracks

Until then, conservatives opposed to the homosexual gathering will need more than righteous indignation to make their point.

I thought conservatives were supposed to support the Constitution, in particular the right to freely assemble.


2 posted on 08/08/2003 12:03 PM PDT by mvpel (Michael Pelletier)




To: mvpel

Exactly, and they also may support their right not to assemble.


3 posted on 08/08/2003 12:12 PM PDT by kattracks

[mtbopfuyn]

Do a search for the dates. I'd rather not contaminate my puter by clicking on a site to link. Most any Disney review site will also have them. It's in mid-June I think and it's wise to get the date to plan your around (way far around) your vacation. Did you happen to catch the video O'Reilly had a couple nights ago? Disgusting behavior right there in broad daylight in front of everyone.

[LurkingSince'98]

maybe you don't mind the homosexuals congregating around a playground for your children and then maybe you're one of them?

[Libertina]

Disney, Homosexuals and the Free Market
That used to read DISNEY, FAMILY VALUES, SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS BASED ON CREATIVE CLEAN FUN

Now that has been stolen by Eisner et al. Disney did NOT even approve of long haired hippies, much less disgusting in-your-face sexual behavior flaunted by homosexual activists. It is against the constitution to tell private companies they have no right to control who comes into their establishments. They should also have the right to set dress /behavior codes. Just as clubs do (tie & sportscoats) or movie theaters (no talking.)

[f.Christian]

miche de mousse ... bancrupe --- in fraunsay !

[Libertina]

Ugh... look what your link dredged up...

[f.Christian]

oh my God help me ... i'm gonna on a diet !

[Libertina]

You need to be more careful with your links ;)

[EdReform]

"A six-point strategy was laid out by two homosexual leaders in the late 1980s, to radically alter America's understanding of homosexual behavior. How all six of these points are being carried out in present-day American culture."

Documented in the following threads:

The Overhauling of Straight America

The Homosexual Propaganda and Media Manipulation Game

What Homosexuals Say About Homosexuals - Is This Gay Behavior Sick?

Choice4Truth