When the first ‘unofficial’ Disney Gay Day was held in Florida in 1991 some 3000 LGBTQ+ peeps wearing red t-shirts turned up. By 1995 the event had grown to 10,000 and Disney had some of their team members outside the front gates giving out white T-shirts to unsuspecting straights who were also dressed in red.
As of 2010 approximately 150,000 LGBT people, their families, friends and supporters attended what had become a six-day gathering (including various pool parties, conventions, festivals, a business expo, activities for kids, etc.) with 20,000 to 30,000 going to Disney on the final day..
Disney never officially recognized these days but certain conservative Christian groups, such as Southern Baptist Convention and started to boycott Disney parks. The extreme Faith In Action organization told families to expect to see “cross-dressing men parading public displays of perversion” during their visit !!!
Fast forward to 2023, and Flordia’s reactionary Governor added Disney to the list of things he hated and wanted to ban. Disney initially keep silent about Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay Bill.” but when they enraged De Santis when joined the debate. He was quoted as saying “If Disney wants to pick a fight, they chose the wrong guy,”
Disney not only outmaneuvered a very furious De Santis when he tried to curtail their power, but they very publically started to show genuine support for the LGBTQ+ community. They announced that they would be hosting a major LGBTQ+ conference.
The Out & Equal Workplace summit has touted itself as the “largest LGBTQ+ conference in the world” and draws more than 5,000 attendees annually. For the next two years, the Out & Equal non-profit which focuses on LGBTQ+ workplace equality will be held at Walt Disney World in Orlando,
Now this week the Magic Kingdom has announced its first official LGBTQ+ celebration. and that it will be holding its first Pride Nite this year on June 13th and 15th. The summer celebration would go on later into the night with themed entertainment and Disney characters.
It amazing new development and even it has come about to get back at De Santis then we’ll take the win. Next up we just need their film divisions to stop de-gaying all their movies.
Disneyland's first Pride Nite events fall during Pride Month. Tickets are limited and go on pre-sale for Magic Key
holders beginning April 18 and to the general public starting on April 20 at Disneyland.com.
🌈 Celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, proudly join us for the first-ever Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite at Disneyland Park on June 13 & 15! Delight in a dance party, photo ops and more! Tickets go on sale 4/20/23! Availability is limited. https://t.co/BXSHcBjOLJ pic.twitter.com/XL86GbqHC5
— Disneyland Resort (@Disneyland) April 13, 2023
