2008 Woodie Awards
Now everyone can live 'happily ever after'
Disney opens Fairy Tale Weddings to same-sex couples
by Kelly Durkin
Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: News
It's the fairy tale wedding couples and young children dream of - following in Disney characters' footsteps and marrying the love of their lives. This dream, which was once only available to heterosexual couples, can now come true for everyone.
Same-sex couples are allowed to use Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding program to plan commitment ceremonies at Disney Parks and Resorts, the company announced April 5.
Jacob DiPietre, spokesman for Disney, said the change was initiated by a request from a guest who wished to use the program to plan a commitment ceremony. The desire for change was in line with the company's policy of welcoming all guests, he said. The company has received positive comments about the decision.
"We're not concerned with feedback," DiPietre said. "Our purpose is to provide consistent services and make all people feel welcome and comfortable."
According to the Disney program's Web site, the wedding program ranges from $2,950 for a small ceremony to more than $45,000 for a large ceremony and provides locations, flowers and other planning services for guests.
Commitment ceremonies have already occurred at other areas in the park, DiPietre said, but the change allows commitment ceremonies to be held in Disney's Wedding Pavilion and other locations in the park reserved for the wedding program.
Prior to the change, couples were required to have a marriage license valid in Florida and California to participate in the program.
Senior Sarah Maguire, president of HAVEN, the university's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allies group, said the decision was a positive step, especially since it occurred in Florida, a conservative state.
"It's not always about passing legislation or winning a court ruling because we face discrimination everywhere," Maguire said. "We have a lot more in common than we're ever given credit for."
Even though the decision has no legal ramifications, she said the inclusion of commitment ceremonies makes the idea of same-sex relationships less of an objectionable issue.
Same-sex couples are allowed to use Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding program to plan commitment ceremonies at Disney Parks and Resorts, the company announced April 5.
Jacob DiPietre, spokesman for Disney, said the change was initiated by a request from a guest who wished to use the program to plan a commitment ceremony. The desire for change was in line with the company's policy of welcoming all guests, he said. The company has received positive comments about the decision.
"We're not concerned with feedback," DiPietre said. "Our purpose is to provide consistent services and make all people feel welcome and comfortable."
According to the Disney program's Web site, the wedding program ranges from $2,950 for a small ceremony to more than $45,000 for a large ceremony and provides locations, flowers and other planning services for guests.
Commitment ceremonies have already occurred at other areas in the park, DiPietre said, but the change allows commitment ceremonies to be held in Disney's Wedding Pavilion and other locations in the park reserved for the wedding program.
Prior to the change, couples were required to have a marriage license valid in Florida and California to participate in the program.
Senior Sarah Maguire, president of HAVEN, the university's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allies group, said the decision was a positive step, especially since it occurred in Florida, a conservative state.
"It's not always about passing legislation or winning a court ruling because we face discrimination everywhere," Maguire said. "We have a lot more in common than we're ever given credit for."
Even though the decision has no legal ramifications, she said the inclusion of commitment ceremonies makes the idea of same-sex relationships less of an objectionable issue.
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