Disney's policy change to allow gay couples to exchange vows has come under criticism from some groups, but rather unfairly given recent attempts at community relations
The Walt Disney Co. is putting itself in line to spark controversy with religious groups for announcing a change in policy to allow same-sex couples to exchange vows at their own Disney ceremonies, just as heterosexual couples have been able to do for years.
Groups not affiliated with Disney have long held annual "gay days" celebrations at Disney parks after company officials took a tolerant attitude to the weekend, allowing party promoters to rent out parks after hours. And now they have gone one step further by allowing gay couples to exchange their vows, the same as heterosexual couples.
After being contacted by a gay couple who wanted to exchange vows, Disney decided on a policy change after previously rebuffing religious groups that condemned their position. In 2005, Southern Baptists ended an eight-year boycott of the Walt Disney Co. for violating "moral righteousness and traditional family values."
Just one ceremony a week would net Disney around $1.5 billion a year and Steve Smith, communications pastor at First Baptist Church in Orlando, said, "This is an untapped market for them, obviously. I'm not entirely surprised that Disney would make a fiduciary decision over a moral one."
But the opinions of the public are split over whether this is a positive, bold move or an ill-informed, immoral step. Some see this as a simple money-making opportunity which Disney has at last tapped into for their own benefit. Others view it as an encouraging gesture of equality after securing equal rights for same-sex employees in the 1990s. Yet same-sex “marriage” is still illegal in many US States – including Florida where Disney is based – and some more hard-line religious groups are against the morality of same-sex relationships.
While the majority of the population sees this change in policy as a major corporation’s stand for equal rights, some more conservative religious groups have attacked Disney for promoting a gay agenda.
Despite such groups having fallen out with Disney long ago, this move was hardly a great attack on the world’s religions. It does, though, beg the question of what religion is about. Is it about promoting fairness and equality for everyone, whether gay or heterosexual; or is it about promoting certain moral values, of which homosexuality falls short?
President of the American Family Association, Tim Wildmon, said that “Disney’s attitude, arrogance and embrace of the homosexual lifestyle gave us no choice but to advocate a boycott of the company these last few years." But even the AFA has now recognised that Disney’s attitude is improving. Their involvement in the production of The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe brought cautious approval from some Christians and further religious support was boosted when they employed two Christian marketing companies to help reach the Christian community.
So those who feel that this is no more than political correctness gone mad must be mistaken for what appears to be a genuine gesture on behalf of the family-oriented Disney.
Contribute to the discussion here.
