More Thoughts on Fairytale Weddings for Same-Sex Couples

It’s been interesting to watch the conversations online responding to Disney’s decision to allow same-sex couples to purchase their Fairytale Weddings. It’s been great to watch people start to plan weddings they simply couldn’t have before.  And it’s been sad to watch others say hateful things in opposition to the change of policy.

Most interesting though is some of the social commentary, like this article by John Roberts. He writes:

Last week, the Walt Disney Co. changed its policies regarding their “Fairytale Weddings” program to allow gay couples the equal opportunity to hold their commitment ceremonies at locations previously accessible only to straight couples.

While I completely applaud this decision by such an influential company, I have to wonder about their motives for the change. Sure, Disney has always been “gay-friendly” by offering “health benefits to same-sex partners of employees” and “allowing ‘Gay Day’ celebrations at its theme parks…” (ABC News, April 6, 2007), so this policy change shouldn’t come as a shock. But then again, $8,000 is still quite a bit of money. That is the starting price for Disney’s fairytale wedding program.

I’ve seen similar comment in a number of places, reminding us quite appropriately that Disney is in fact a company, concerned primarily with continuing to function profitably.

Being a bit of a weathered queer activist, I find myself thinking of the hours I spent at the Massachusetts State House years ago, lobbying for the Gay Rights Act (it took 17 years, but eventually it did in fact become law). And I think, were we really fighting for the right to buying expensive wedding packages? Some would argue that this is the height of bourgeois conspicuous consumption.

And well, those people would be right.

But when we were walking the halls at the State House, we weren’t fighting for the right to be any smarter, better, or more stylish than your average citizen. We were lobbying for equal protection under the law.  Including, yes, the right to expensive, bourgeouis weddings if we plunk down the cash.