On April 6, 2007, the Walt Disney Company announced that same-sex couples were allowed to take part in wedding ceremonies at the company's California and Florida resorts. This is a big step for Disney to recognize the rights of the Queer community to participate in the ceremonies, blah, blah, blah. I would love to give this move by the Walt Disney Company the respect it deserves, but give me a break. This is a company largely supported by the LGBTQ population and for them to throw us crumbs from the gourmet meals they offer to the heterosexual community just throws me into one of those Donald Duck style tantrums.
For anyone who has ever stepped foot into the Magic Kingdom, one of the pervasive traits of the park is the large number of Queers that work there. From the retail salespeople, to the ride operators, to the costumed characters, our LGBTQ brethren are there full of pride. It is blatantly obvious to even the untrained Queer eye that a significant portion of the Magic Kingdom's work force is part of the Lavender Brigade. The Walt Disney Company knows this, just as the company knows that the movies it produces have a large gay following. Sean Griffin wrote a book entitled Tinker Belles and Evil Queens in which he attributes the creation of a number of Disney characters such as Cruella de Vil, Gaston, and a host of others, to the Queer community. I happen to agree with Griffin, but even if you only agreed with him in part, you have to agree that the Walt Disney Company is inexorably tied to the Queer community.
This permanent tie is what makes the exclusion of same-sex couples from the resort's wedding ceremonies so idiotic. The Walt Disney Company was in essence making the statement that Queers can work for the company, spend untold amounts of money on the company, but could by no means be treated equally by the company. A spokesperson for Disney Orlando previously stated that in order to participate in the Orlando wedding ceremonies, each couple had to have a valid Florida marriage license. He was at a complete loss to explain why couples from out of state with wedding licenses from out of state were allowed to wed. The situation was so asinine as to be comical.
I have to disclose that I hold annual passes to Disneyland. It is a great place. I love going there with my Queer friends because it is all about fantasy. It is a world where good always triumphs and there is always a happy ending. It is a world of inclusion where the ugliest of the ugly end up with friends and someone to love so long as they are pure of heart. While I realize life isn't like this, I expect the Magic Kingdom to be like this. I also expect the company behind the Magic Kingdom to behave in a manner that is inclusive. Sometimes inclusive, partially inclusive, part-time inclusive, differentially inclusive is not good enough. So congratulations to the Walt Disney Company for making a good political move by granting same-sex wedding ceremonies in the face of massive public outcry. Perhaps next time the company will be pure of heart and make inclusivity a policy from the outset. In doing so, I wouldn't have to ponder a boycott of the Walt Disney Company and that would be the happiest ending of all.
For anyone who has ever stepped foot into the Magic Kingdom, one of the pervasive traits of the park is the large number of Queers that work there. From the retail salespeople, to the ride operators, to the costumed characters, our LGBTQ brethren are there full of pride. It is blatantly obvious to even the untrained Queer eye that a significant portion of the Magic Kingdom's work force is part of the Lavender Brigade. The Walt Disney Company knows this, just as the company knows that the movies it produces have a large gay following. Sean Griffin wrote a book entitled Tinker Belles and Evil Queens in which he attributes the creation of a number of Disney characters such as Cruella de Vil, Gaston, and a host of others, to the Queer community. I happen to agree with Griffin, but even if you only agreed with him in part, you have to agree that the Walt Disney Company is inexorably tied to the Queer community.
This permanent tie is what makes the exclusion of same-sex couples from the resort's wedding ceremonies so idiotic. The Walt Disney Company was in essence making the statement that Queers can work for the company, spend untold amounts of money on the company, but could by no means be treated equally by the company. A spokesperson for Disney Orlando previously stated that in order to participate in the Orlando wedding ceremonies, each couple had to have a valid Florida marriage license. He was at a complete loss to explain why couples from out of state with wedding licenses from out of state were allowed to wed. The situation was so asinine as to be comical.
I have to disclose that I hold annual passes to Disneyland. It is a great place. I love going there with my Queer friends because it is all about fantasy. It is a world where good always triumphs and there is always a happy ending. It is a world of inclusion where the ugliest of the ugly end up with friends and someone to love so long as they are pure of heart. While I realize life isn't like this, I expect the Magic Kingdom to be like this. I also expect the company behind the Magic Kingdom to behave in a manner that is inclusive. Sometimes inclusive, partially inclusive, part-time inclusive, differentially inclusive is not good enough. So congratulations to the Walt Disney Company for making a good political move by granting same-sex wedding ceremonies in the face of massive public outcry. Perhaps next time the company will be pure of heart and make inclusivity a policy from the outset. In doing so, I wouldn't have to ponder a boycott of the Walt Disney Company and that would be the happiest ending of all.
1 comment:
I love happy endings!
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