On 1 June, Disneyland Paris officially hosted its first LGBT Pride event, making it the first Disney theme park to do so. A petition that attracted over 250,000 signatures in just three days (and has now reached over 380,000 signatures) protesting the event, was presented to Disney Headquarters in London on 31 May but Disney officials refused to accept it.
Pride contradicts family-friendly values
Caroline Farrow, campaign director for CitizenGO UK, was there to present the petition to Disney officials. Speaking outside their headquarters, she explained how Pride events contradict Disney’s family-friendly values:
“Gay pride events are synonymous with lewd behaviour, sexualised behaviour. You see participants who are semi-naked, who are wearing wholly inappropriate, sexual fetish, BDSM costumes, and this is just not suitable in a park that is designed for family-friendly entertainment.”
Refusal to accept petition
Despite a lawful and peaceful approach to protesting the Pride event, Ms Farrow was asked to vacate the premises and Disney officials refused to accept the petition.
However, Ms Farrow said she would not give up, and promised to send them the signatories of the petition.
She later commented:
“This is the voice of 250,000 of their customers saying, look, we do not want this to happen in a family-friendly park. They will hear our voice. We were behaving completely reasonably and I’m sorry they wouldn’t accept the petition.”
“Dramatic shift”
Although the event was ticketed and after hours – so no unsuspecting families will have been caught up in the parade – Disney’s promotion of the event shows an alarming trend of closer alignment with the Pride movement. Until the mid-1980s, Disney had previously prohibited same-sex couples from dancing and performing at their theme parks. However, for the last few years, Disney resorts around the world have allowed independent groups to stage Pride events, but have deliberately chosen not to advertise, promote or organise the events.
Four years ago, Disneyland Paris allowed a travel agency to gather in the park for happy hour drinks with an LGBT theme. This gathering has gradually garnered more support, last year attracting some 300 people.
However this year, Disneyland Paris took the unprecedented step to host the event, labelling it ‘Magical Pride’. Writing in the Los Angeles Times, travel journalist Hugo Martin stated that the decision to host this year’s Pride parade marked “a dramatic shift for the world’s biggest theme park operator.”
Note: This article was edited on 13 June 2019 to clarify that 'Magical Pride' was a ticketed event, held outside usual park hours.