Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Gays prepare to descend on Disneyland

John Lichfield
Thursday 11 September 2003 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Homosexuals are being urged to converge on Disneyland Paris on Saturday 4 October for the theme park's first unofficial "gay day".

The idea, promoted originally by gay magazines and websites in the Netherlands, is based on similarly unofficial gatherings at Walt Disney World in Florida, which have angered American conservatives.

Disneyland Paris said it had not encouraged the gay jamboree but saw no reason to discourage it. There would be no official recognition of the gay day and no special offers for gay visitors, who would be expected to obey the park's family-oriented rules (including appropriate dress and no overtly sexual behaviour).

A spokesman said: "It's a day like any other. There is no discrimination at Disney either on the grounds of politics, religion or indeed sexual orientation. There is no reason for us to treat these visitors differently from any others."

Some tour operators are offering special travel packages and websites are encouraging gays towear white T-shirts so they can recognise one another.

The Walt Disney Corporation has become a frequent target of American fundamentalist religious groups. They object to Disney's tolerance of the gay events in Florida and to its practice of extending corporate benefits to homosexual organisations.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in