the.west.wing/magicalpride/InstagramOn June 1 this year, and for the rest of the month, Disneyland Paris will become the fist Disney theme park to officially host an event in celebration of the LGBTQ community.
To launch its Pride Month, the theme park will hold the ‘Magical Pride’ event, which will feature a parade to ‘illuminate the streets’ of Walt Disney Studios Park, a dance party with guest artists, as well as the rare chance to ride the famous rollercoasters late into the night.
Disneyland Paris has held ‘Magical Pride’ events since 2014, as has some of the Disney theme parks in America. However, these have all been unofficial events that were not affiliated with Disney.
This year’s event will be the first one that is officially organised by The Walt Disney Company, according to CBS News.
As the Disneyland Paris website states:
Live your best life and shine with the joy of diversity at Magical Pride, a dazzling party lighting up Disneyland Paris on 1st June 2019.
Dress like a dream, feel fabulous and experience Walt Disney Studios Park like never before – loud, proud and alive with all the colours of the rainbow.
A spokesperson for The Walt Disney Company told NBC News:
Diversity and equality are strong values at Disneyland Paris, and each year, we host millions of visitors regardless of their origins, gender or sexual orientation.
We are committed to fostering a welcoming environment for all of our guests where magic is for everyone.
Last year, Disney theme parks began selling rainbow Mickey Mouse ears, nicknamed the ‘Mickey Mouse Rainbow Love’ hat, which was launched just before Pride.
While in 2007, Disney opened Cinderella’s Castle to same-sex weddings. Originally the venue was only available to those with a valid marriage license but, despite same-sex marriage being illegal in a lot of places at the time, Disney made its marriage ceremonies open to same-sex couples.
Various Disney theme parks have held Gay Days events since the 1990s. This year, Orlando’s Gay Days runs from August 13 to 19, while Anaheim in California holds its own from October 4 to 6.
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Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.