Disney's Decadant Decline
by Ericka Andersen
04/16/2007

About twelve years ago, Disney World’s first “Gay Day” caught some unsuspecting families off guard while vacationing in the famed theme park. When the Southern Baptist Convention called for a boycott of Disney World, gay rights groups rallied to support the theme park while social conservatives hoped for a lasting impact as a result of their movement.

Organizations such as Focus on the Family and the Christian Action Network (CAN) backed the Baptists, turning a deaf ear to Disney’s attempt at “acceptance,” though then-CEO Michael Eisner said in 1997 that the boycott “hadn’t had a financial effect.” In 2005, the Baptists lifted the boycott. And Disney went back to its old tricks. Last week, they announced that gay couples are now welcome to participate in their pricy “Fairy Tale” wedding package, which previously excluded those without official wedding licenses.

According to Disney Parks and Resorts Spokesman Donn Walker, the company is, "…not in the business of making judgments about the lifestyle of our guests.” But gay marriage tops the list of social issues slicing America in half, and this decision propels Disney again into the center of that political controversy. It also makes a strong statement about Disney’s foundational moral principles. the rest