'We Say Gay' — Gay Days Disneyland Claps Back at DeSantis
Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, may have muzzled LGBTQ+ youth and teachers in the state's schools and then weaponized his office against Disney World after the then-CEO of the theme park's parent company spoke out against the Sunshine State's "Don't Say Gay" law, but Gay Days Disneyland in Anaheim, California, isn't backing down from the fight.
Gays Days Disneyland was inaugurated a few years after the original Gay Days Disney World, and is celebrating its 25th anniversary this September 16-18.
Although the California cousin of the popular annual event takes place in a progressive state, it didn't shy away from calling out DeSantis and the homophobic measure he signed into law, which forbids classroom discussion of the existence or concerns of LGBTQ+ people in Florida schools.
Disney does not underwrite or organize the events; rather, they began as an informal convergence on the theme parks, with attendees encouraged to wear a red T-shirt — a tradition that continues to this day.
This year's Gay Days Disneyland shirt sports an "incredibly busy but very fun" drawing, Inside the Magic noted, which features signature details from the beloved family destination, "including the Dapper Dans from Main Street, U.S.A., an alligator with a Mardi Gras hat and brass instruments for New Orleans Square, a Stormtrooper striking a pose from 'Star Wars,' a Tiki Mask for Adventureland, a mermaid tail, Jessica Rabbit and a falling safe from Toontown, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell from Fantasyland, and the mountains from Thunder Mountain Railroad for Frontierland."
But fluttering in the breeze above everything else are pennants that read "We Say Gay."
"These flags serve as a staunch reminder that despite how much people try to silence and erase gay people from history, they're human beings," Inside the Magic declared. "And they will remain loud and proud so you never forget it."
Disneyland itself has turned up the volume. "Disney Parks brought out more Pride merchandise than ever before," Inside the Magic said, "and Disneyland hosted its first-ever 'Pride Nite'" earlier this year.
As previously reported, this year's Gay Days Disneyland will headline more drag queens than ever before — another sign of defiance against DeSantis-style anti-LGBTQ+ oppression, given Florida's law against drag shows, a measure that lumps the centuries-old theatrical art together with "sexualized" adult entertainment. The law would also deter Pride celebrations.
That law was temporarily blocked by a federal judge on constitutional grounds.