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10 April 2007 - Disney leads the way on gay marriage |
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Iconic US theme parks, Disney Parks and Resorts, have announced their intention to open their ‘fairytale wedding’ package to same-sex couples. Lesbian and gay couples will have the opportunity to arrive in a Cinderella coach with costumed trumpeters and a bevy of Disney characters.
Disney has defended attacks from conservatives, citing their commitment to ‘creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for all our guests’. Spokesperson for the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, Ghassan Kassisieh welcomed the move. “Disney is giving every gay and lesbian person the chance to have their Prince or Princess Charming. Perhaps its time for our government to follow the lead by giving same-sex relationships the formal recognition they deserve”, Kassisieh said.
In Australia’s largest consultation on same-sex recognition recently completed by the GLRL, the symbolic and social value of acceptance were rated as the third most important benefit of legal recognition after legal rights and equality.
“What we found is GLBT people want a package of practical rights to protect themselves and their partners, but they also want to have their relationships seen as equally valuable to heterosexual couples by their family, friends and society at large”, Kassisieh said.
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