Disney relents over
'fairytale' gay weddings
From The Independent
Online Edition – Americas, April 7, 2007
By Andrew Buncombe in
Washington
In the world of Mickey Mouse and
Donald Duck, a sense of fairness and equilibrium has been restored. Having
sparked widespread controversy by insisting that same-sex couples were not
eligible to have "fairytale weddings" at their US resorts, the Walt Disney
Company has had a change of heart; gays, too, can now participate in the
saccharine-sweet, faux adventure that is a Disney-arranged marriage.
What was it that caused the shift in policy? Was there an outcry from
Cinderella, did Tinkerbell cause a fuss, did the fairy queens of Disney protest?
That is unclear. Disney says the change in policy was prompted simply by a
"an inquiry from a guest that asked about the service". A Disney
spokesman, Jacob DiPietre, told The Independent: "It's a slight change.
Now, wedding ceremonies, celebrations, commitment ceremonies and vow renewals
are offered at the Walt Disney pavilions. Previously, commitment
ceremonies were offered at other venues and the change is that they are now
offered at the pavilions [where the fairytale wedding package takes place].
That is the change."
Mr DiPietre denied the change in policy was brought about by the criticism from
the gay community and elsewhere after it emerged that Disney had ruled that
while gay couples could organise their own weddings or commitment ceremonies at
rented rooms at their resorts in California and Florida, they were not eligible
to purchase their fairytale wedding packages. The packages consist of
various options to ensure "your wedding day is everything you have always dreamt
it would be. This is the magic of Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings".
The company had originally claimed that it could not offer the service if a
couple did not provide them with a legal wedding certificate from the state in
which the resorts are located. The claim last month sparked a reaction
from campaigners who pointed out that the service Disney was offering was a
wedding ceremony rather than a wedding licence. They also pointed out that
in California, Disney may have been in breach of state legislation that
prohibits businesses from discriminating on the basis of marital status or
sexual orientation.
Mr DePietre said yesterday: "We believe the new policy is consistent with
our long-standing tradition of welcoming all guests in an inclusive environment.
We want everyone who celebrates their special occasions with us to feel welcome
and respected." Disney's fairytale wedding packages start at $8,000
(£4,000) and include a wedding planner, the ceremony, food and drinks, flowers
and table decorations. The so-called "lavish wedding" option also includes
a ride to the ceremony in the Cinderella coach and costumed trumpeters that mark
the arrival of the couple -- at night, if wanted. The cartoon characters
Mickey and Minnie Mouse also attend the ceremony, dressed in formal attire.
For years Disney has come under fire from right-wing religious conservatives,
among them the powerful Southern Baptist Convention, which accused the company
of promoting a gay agenda. For eight years the group had enforced a
boycott of Disney, criticising it for corporate policies such as providing
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 the lesbian comedian Ellen DeGeneres. The boycott
was dropped only in 2005.
Disney's decision to open its fairytale wedding package to same-sex couples was
yesterday welcomed by members of the gay community. Writing on the gay
website AfterElton.Com,
Michael Jensen said: "I congratulate Disney on stepping up to the plate
and doing the right thing. In fact, I think everyone should get in
touch with Disney to thank them for making this change, as I have no doubt at
all that the homophobes will be out in droves screaming that Disney's treatment
of gay and lesbian couples somehow discriminates against their religious
beliefs."
(Emphasis Added)
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