Part Of The Park’s Disneyland After Dark Series Of Events
By Susan Payne
Disneyland is holding its first official LGBTQ Pride Nite this June, making the Happiest Place on Earth even happier.
Pride Nite will be from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on June 13 and 15 as part of the park’s “Disneyland After Dark” series. Dancing, special attire, and pride-themed backdrops are on the agenda. According to Disneyland officials, their Anaheim Park drew inspiration from its Parisian sibling for Pride Nite.
Tickets for Pride Nite go on sale on April 20 for $139 each.
This announcement comes as the Burbank entertainment company continues to face backlash in Florida for opposing the state, “Don’t Say Gay” law, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Florida and its governor Ron DeSantis have been in a dispute with Disney since the company opposed the law that prohibits instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten through third grade, the LA Times reported.
Under pressure, Disney’s former chief executive Bob Chapek said he called DeSantis to express disappointment and concern over the bill, the LA Times reported. In response, DeSantis and the state dissolved the special tax district where Disney operates Walt Disney World.
Reactions on Pride Nite were mixed among social media users, the LA Times said, some in support and others expressing discontent.
“In the wake of everything that’s happening to the country, that Disney is coming out in support of the community and inviting the community in, in this way, I think is a great thing,” said Eddie Shapiro, organizer of Gay Days Anaheim, an unofficial, formerly after-hours dance party at the park, but with a 25+ year history.
“Disney is obviously saying out loud, ‘We as a company are not cowed by [events in Florida],’ nor should they be,” Shapiro said. “I’m glad that they’re saying that.”
Shapiro added: “I think it’s kind of funny that 25 years later, Disney is ready not to have an unofficial thing but an official thing, and we’re back to having an after-hours, late-night event.”
However, Shapiro said the two events can and will coexist, according to the Times.
