Disney Makes Gay Wedding Dreams Come True

_{Also see: Ford Not So Tough When It Comes To Gays
Reference: Where is Gay Marriage Legal?}

The Magic Kingdom truly is a place where dreams come true. Disney, the mega-conglomerate that has its hands in movies, TV, Broadway and even cell phone service, is now tapping into the same-sex commitment ceremony business.

When it comes to equal rights and the law, gays have a certain affinity toward defiance. When it comes to magical experiences, Disney says it has "something for everyone". Same-sex marriage bans and proposals to ban have been tossed in and out of courts around the country. However, gay and lesbian couples that desire formal commitments ceremonies will do so, with or without a legal endorsement from city hall, and Disney wants part of the action.

The Walt Disney Company has decided to include same-sex commitment ceremonies in its popular Fairy Tale Wedding program. Packages range from $8,000 to over $45,000 depending on how magical same-sex couples want the experience. Disney Parks and Resorts spokesperson Donn Walker told Reuters:

"We are updating our Fairy Tale Wedding guidelines to include commitment ceremonies. This is consistent with our policy of creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for all of our guests."

The company's decision is bound to receive backlash from anti-gay organizations. Disney's slogan is "Something for Everyone," but some anti-gay organizations feel Disney shouldn't interpret the phrase so literally. Focus on Family, a group claiming to nurture and defend [heterosexual] families, ended its boycott of Disney in 2005 as a result of what they claim were several perceived changes in Disney corporate policy. In reality, the failed boycott had little, if any, impact on Disney's bottom line. I'm sure Disney and the rest of the world will ignore any future fairy dust boycotts by FOF. Meanwhile, the FOF children will forever blame gays for ruining their theme park experience.

Pete Labarbera's organization, Americans for Truth, had this to say about same-sex partners that marry at Disney:

"So deluded homosexuals may shell out over $8,000 for a wedding planner, feast, flowers and decorations, and a ride in a giant pumpkin, but, at the stroke of midnight, when the mist clears and the last fleck of glitter floats to the ground, the perverted pair will discover 'twas all merely an illusion. Two men or two women may play dress-up in tiaras and tulle and tuxes (respectively), but afterward they will remain immoral in the eyes of God and unmarried in the eyes of man; same-sex pairs can never experience the mystery of becoming 'one flesh' nor the miracle of procreation."

Dispatches from the Culture Wars blogger Ed Brayton struck back,

"Saying that gays can't experience the 'mystery' of becoming 'one flesh' is sort of like saying, 'You can eat all the pumpernickel bread you want, but everyone knows that only rye bread can transubstantiate into the actual body and blood of Christ.' You're assigning silly religious meaning to an entirely human event. But naturally, Petey encourages folks to boycott Disney and instead take the kids to Ken Ham's creationism museum opening in Ohio. Where they can learn ridiculous lies like the earth is only 6000 years old and there was once a global flood that killed off everything that wasn't in the ark. At least when Disney tells fairy tales, they don't pretend they're real."

For years private groups have organized annual "Gay Days" at Disney, where LGBT people are encouraged to visit Disney parks and resorts. Disney allowed these events to take place under its group policies, but some LGBT people were disappointed that they weren't welcome in the wedding chapels as well. Now the magic can continue for same-sex couples that have always dreamt of tying the knot in Cinderella's Castle.

How to Plan a Commitment Ceremony:
10-12 Months Before
6-10 Months Before
4-6 Months Before
2-4 Months Before
2-8 Weeks Before
1-2 Weeks Before
1 Day Before
Ceremony Day

Polls:

• Should same-sex commitment ceremonies be held at Disney parks?
  
  1. Yes, magic is for everyone
  2. No, not in front of my kids
  3. I don't care
  (see results)


• Would you consider exchanging vows at Disney?
  
  1. Yes... 'I do!'
  2. No, not for me
  (see results)

Disney Resort Tour:
View pics of Disney World Resorts from About.com Hotels and Resorts guide Charlyn Chisholm.

Disney Resort Honeymoons:
About.com Honeymoons guide Susan Breslow helps you plan the perfect Disney wedding and Magic Kingdom honeymoon.

Share Your Disney Wedding Story:
Are you planning on getting married at Disney? Chronicle your story before, during and after the event here on Gay Life.

_{Image © Michael Sult.}