Disney has often found itself being accused on both sides of the diversity divide, with some LGBT activists saying that it’s family-friendly product ignore anything that isn’t traditionally heterosexual. On the other side some right-wing Christians treat it as an evil empire dedicated to promoting underage sex, teenage pregnancy and turning kids gay.
The company has mostly tried to stay fairly neutral. They do have a pretty strong diversity policy for their staff and adult product such as ABC show Grey’s Anatomy have been pretty inclusive, but few things with the Disney name on have been anything but either heterosexual or asexual.
However in the same week that the Disney Channel introduced its first ever LGBT family on the show Good Luck Charlie, Variety reports the Walt Disney Company has agreed to be a main partner on Orlando’s Family Outfest, which takes place at the beginning of July. It’s a week-long event for gay, lesbian and transgender families which is expected to attract up to 1,000 families, ‘to celebrate the shared cultural heritage of what all families look like, regardless of who you are, how you identify or whom you love.’
In case you were wondering, while ‘Gay Days’ at Disney Resorts famously takes place each year, they are completely unnofficial and aren’t actually endorsed by the company (although the company certainly tacitly approves of them). However even this hasn’t been enough for some bigots, who’ve accused the company of not doing enough to stop it. Disney often can’t win, but it seems now they are finally stepping out to celebrate families of all types.