Fairytale weddings for gay couples
Pastor Dale Morgan
Fairytale weddings for gay couples
By Gina Keating in Los Angeles
April 06, 2007 09:52am
Article from: Reuters
*THE Walt Disney Company has changed its policy to allow same-sex
couples to have a Fairy Tale Wedding.*
The package runs mainly at its two US resorts and cruise line.
Disney previously allowed gay couples to organise 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 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.''
Mr 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
recognise gay marriages.
Last month, gay Website AfterElton.com <http://AfterElton.com>criticised
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 $US8000 ($9791) and
include a wedding planner, the ceremony, food and drink, 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, who have accused the company of promoting a
gay agenda.
The groups, which lifted an eight-year boycott of Disney in 2005, had
criticised 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,'' Mr Walker said.