Are you or a loved one member of the LGBTQ+ community and can never find that perfect event to kick off the beginning of Pride Month with?
Do you want somewhere fun and safe that makes you feel welcomed and included throughout the entire day? Well, look no further, because Disneyland Paris will be the first Disney theme park this summer that will be holding an official event specifically for the LGBTQ+ community!
The event will be called "Magical Pride" and starts on June 1, the first official day of Pride Month. Although pride-related events and merchandise have been produced in the past in various Disney parks, this will be the first official event that the Walt Disney Company sponsors and advertisers.
The wonderful world of Disney has been the perfect imaginary world and a quick escape for many generations of children over the years. It only seems fair that there is finally a date where younger generations that have possibly been under the impression they no longer "fit in" can go back to the happiest place on earth and relive their favorite memories. This event not only will offer a fun and carefree time for all, but will also offer somewhere safe for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community to be free, loud, and proud to be the wonderful people they have grown up to be.
During the month of June last year and in the spirit of love in the air, Disney released what was known as the Rainbow Mickey Mouse ears.
This classic item is one that holds new and fresh designs every season, and these proud souvenir items were the first Disney organized LGBTQ+ friendly accessory. However, this attempt at inclusiveness only caused a backlash. Fans, LGBTQ+ members, and many more were not for the ears but wanted to be represented properly in recent films.
For example, there have been many recent rumors that Elsa, one of Disney's newest Disney princesses from the hit movie "Frozen," will be confirmed in her next film as either an asexual character or a lesbian. Either way, this will be Disney's first openly gay character that audiences did not have to assume the sexuality of based on character traits and hidden clues.
Although there is a possibility that Disney will finally reveal an openly gay princess in the official Disney line up, getting a member of the community in the spot has not been an easy task. In the same movie, there was a split scene of a possible family being raised by two dads. Many viewers were disgusted by the exposure to younger eyes, therefore leading Disney to never fully confirm if the family was indeed the first inclusive idea of the modern day family lifestyle.
Other examples being from Disney's newest adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast." There's been speculation for years that the character LeFou seemed much more interested in his friend Gaston than he was letting viewers believe, but when the new adaptation was being released, many theaters around the globe banned the film from screening due to the flamboyant personality LeFou portrayed. And although the character never outright says he is gay, the viewers and fans are left speculating.
This oppressed representation of the LGBTQ+ community has older and younger fans outraged. Perhaps this new inclusive event will lead to more possible representations for the LGBTQ+ community in the future. So if you are looking for a fun and inclusive way to spend your Pride Month, start saving up for Disney Paris's "Magical Pride" event!
