Gay Day cancelled in Orlando for 2026

The article link is not working. I almost hate to comment without seeing more details, but it's ridiculous that some people are still scared of this kind of thing in 2026.

Link fixed, sorry. The article talks about legislation being considered as well, which runs so afoul of the First Amendment that is would never survive scrutiny.

Couple of curiosity questions from a straight male: (feel free to correct or tell me to STFU)

I understand it's "wear a red shirt on Fathers Day" but always thought it was Disney only. Has it expanded to all parks? For example, Cedar Point?

If so, is it okay to wear a red shirt at any park on Fathers Day as a sign of support, even if not participating?

On all other days, a red shirt is just a shirt, right?

It's wear a red hat day now. Confuse the hell out of people.

Back in the 80s it was "Wear Blue Jeans" and people went bat**** crazy. Those people missed the entire point because I believe it was meant, at least in part, to give heterosexual people the sensation of what it felt like to be judged.

I inadvertently ended up in the parks with my family during this weekend celebration more than once. I will say that they were generally great visits because the LGBTQ crowd is generally more cheerful. Less strollers was a plus too.

On Wednesdays we wear pink.

Here’s your herstory about the Gays and Ohio theme parks. (It’s anecdotal, and I’m missing things like dates, but I lived through it all so bear with me)
CP had an unofficial Gay Day every Father’s Day. I was never sure why that particular day was chosen, except most of us weren’t dads so maybe it was a day out of convenience. (I know we are all born to dads so what we were supposed to do with our own fathers and family observations was unclear) I think the Clevelanders started it and it grew from there.
Anyway, it was fun to wear the red shirt and other identifying marks and clock the other gays in attendance. Mingling opportunities were always present and large groups would show up from cities in the region. I remember one year there was a large contingent from Toronto. It was just a day at the park, no parties or anything. The park itself (admittedly) turned a blind eye, disavowing any connection or recognition. But we showed up anyway and at the end of the day everyone has a story about something that happened or someone’s reaction, but mainly how much fun it was.

KI had a similar thing as well but for the life of me I can’t remember if there was a specific day or date each year. I think it was on a Sunday. It was a little more challenging in ultra-conservative Cincinnati, and I know the park received complaints from families that were offended by the sight of same sex couples holding hands and acting like normal human beings. Finally one year it was announced that the Center (an LGBT resource organization) would sponsor a fundraiser Gay Pride Event by renting out a Friday evening in the fall. That still happens every year and the park coordinates with the group to make the evening special. Lighting, music, stages for performances, and the bars are buzzing. Employees can be spotted in rainbow gear and accessories. (Many have said it’s their favorite buyout of the season). At first I felt like the “Special Evening” was merely a chance to sweep us under the rug, but it is for a good cause, so…

Pride celebrations across the country have expanded and there’s scarcely a city that doesn’t have at least something, so mandatory trips to theme parks for visibility’s sake isn't happening so much these days. KI’s event is fun- in addition to supporting The Center there’s the bonus of a night at the park with short lines for the big rides and who doesn’t want that?

As for Disney, I’m shocked by this news and at the same time not. It’s grown to be enormous - in addition to theme parks there are huge circuit parties every night and many events for gays and their families to attend. ANYbody should love to have that many tourists with disposable income descend on the region, right? But unless you’re in Wilton Manors, Florida pretty much sucks for us now. The organizers cite good reasons to “press pause”, from political climate to lack of sponsorship as people pull away from the state as a destination. It’s clearly a case of “We’re taking our money and shopping elsewhere”. Maybe it will come back but a lot will have to change- the state is in deep with the hatred and bigotry, sorry to say.

As for myself, I used to go to Florida all the time, sometimes 2 or 3 vacations a year. Now I stay away, preferring southern California’s LA and Palm Springs for my warm-weather getaways. If I have to go somewhere I’d rather spend where I’m welcome, accepted, and appreciated by the population at large and those that they’ve chosen to govern them.

Thank you.

The best and only way to fight against the hateful agenda of the Republican party is to not spend A dime in the areas that they control. Ultimately the only thing that affects t Republicans is reducing their cash flow. Canceling this event is an effective tool