Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Gay day

Gay Day originated in 1991 as an informal gathering organized by Orlando resident Doug Swallow and a group of friends, who selected the first Saturday in for a coordinated visit to World's [Magic Kingdom](/page/Magic Kingdom), with participants wearing red shirts to identify one another. This event, not sponsored or endorsed by , drew hundreds initially and rapidly expanded due to word-of-mouth promotion within gay communities, evolving into a multi-day affair known as GayDays Orlando encompassing parties, pool events, and theme park visits attended by tens of thousands. By the , it had become a premier LGBTQ+ vacation destination in , though has occasionally implemented measures like increased security or date shifts to manage crowds and mitigate perceptions of affiliation. The event's growth reflects organic community-driven tourism rather than institutional backing, with official iterations now spanning five days and marking its 35th anniversary in 2026.

Origins and Definition

Core Concept and Informal Start

Gay Days refer to unofficial, multi-day gatherings primarily organized by LGBTQ+ attendees, who coordinate visits to family-oriented theme parks such as , focusing on the first Saturday in . Participants often wear red shirts to identify and connect with one another during these events, which emphasize leisure activities, social interaction, and visibility within public spaces rather than structured . Unlike officially sanctioned parades or corporate-sponsored festivals, Gay Days operate without endorsement from the theme park operators, relying instead on grassroots coordination among individuals and independent event promoters. The concept originated spontaneously in 1991, when Orlando resident Doug Swallow, a computer software developer, and a group of friends selected the first Saturday in June for a casual group trip to Disney's , promoting the idea through local gay and lesbian computer bulletin boards like Compu-Who?. This initial lacked formal planning or sponsorship, evolving from informal networking into a broader tradition of self-directed vacations that prioritize bonding over institutional oversight. The attendee-driven nature distinguishes it from theme park-endorsed events, allowing for organic growth while navigating tensions with park policies on group visibility.

Historical Evolution

Inception in the Early 1990s

In 1991, Orlando resident Doug Swallow, a computer software designer active on local gay and lesbian bulletin-board services such as Compu-Who?, organized the inaugural Gay Day event by coordinating a group outing to Disney's on the first Saturday in June. Participants were encouraged to wear red shirts for easy identification amid the crowds, establishing a visual tradition that facilitated informal networking without official affiliation to the theme park. The event drew an estimated 3,000 attendees primarily from , marking a spontaneous expression of community solidarity in a family-oriented venue during an era of heightened visibility efforts following the 1969 and amid the ongoing AIDS crisis. The gathering's recurrence was set annually from the outset, driven by word-of-mouth promotion through newsletters and early digital forums like bulletin-board systems, which enabled rapid dissemination among isolated individuals seeking low-cost, accessible social connection near Orlando's theme parks. Absent formal organizational infrastructure, participation relied on organic coordination, with causal factors including the proximity of to a growing LGBTQ population and the appeal of neutral, public spaces for visibility without dedicated event planning. By the mid-1990s, attendance had expanded exponentially to tens of thousands, with organizers anticipating up to 50,000 participants by 1995, reflecting yearly doublings fueled by these channels rather than commercial promotion.

Growth and Institutionalization (1990s–2000s)

By the mid-1990s, Gay Days had scaled from its inaugural single-day format to a week-long series of activities, incorporating pool parties at water parks, after-hours club nights, and emerging vendor involvement for merchandise and services tailored to attendees. Attendance surged, reaching an estimated 23,000 by 1995 and exceeding 30,000 by 2000, driven by online coordination via early bulletin boards and word-of-mouth among LGBTQ communities. Institutionalization advanced in the late with the incorporation of Gay Days Inc., an event organizer that formalized coordination, introduced ticketed entry for select parties, and developed branding elements like dedicated websites, all while preserving the gathering's unofficial character to sidestep theme park liability and endorsement issues. This structure enabled centralized promotion and logistics without formal ties to Disney properties, which continued to host public-day crowds but limited private after-hours access. Early economic data highlighted benefits alongside operational strains; the 1997 iteration generated an estimated $13 million in local impact through heightened hotel occupancy and bar revenues, yet rapid growth caused visible overcrowding at attractions, leading to install entrance signs in 1994 alerting general visitors to the homosexual gathering and to curtail rentals like Typhoon Lagoon by 1998. These tensions underscored the event's origins clashing with its burgeoning scale, as undocumented spikes in same-sex affection reports from families prompted defensive measures from management.

Modern Developments and Adaptations (2010s–Present)

In the 2010s, Gay Days Orlando expanded significantly, attracting an estimated 150,000 attendees by 2010 through coordinated gatherings at theme parks and nightlife venues, bolstered by emerging digital tools for promotion and logistics. platforms like and facilitated real-time event sharing, group coordination, and attendee mobilization, enhancing visibility beyond traditional flyers and word-of-mouth. Concurrently, splinter events such as One Magical Weekend emerged as alternatives, offering parallel LGBTQ+ festivals with pool parties, music performances, and sports competitions in Orlando, drawing subsets of the community to diversify scheduling and reduce overcrowding at core Gay Days activities. The 2020s introduced disruptions from the , with large-scale in-person events across scaled back or shifted to virtual formats in 2020 and 2021 due to health restrictions and venue closures, though specific Gay Days programming adapted minimally with online promotions continuing via social channels. Post-restrictions, attendance rebounded in 2022, coinciding with Florida's enactment of the Parental Rights in Education Act on March 28, 2022—a limiting classroom discussions on and in early grades, derisively termed "Don't Say Gay" by opponents—which heightened political scrutiny on public LGBTQ+ visibility but did not directly curtail the event's private operations. Organizers responded by incorporating hybrid elements, such as livestreamed parties and app-based ticketing, while expanding to non-Disney sites like resort hotels for foam parties and to mitigate reliance on theme park access. By 2025, Gay Days maintained economic relevance, generating millions in local tourism spending through attendee expenditures on lodging, dining, and entertainment, as estimated by event principals and aligned with broader visitor data. Preparations for the event, marking the 35th anniversary since its 1991 inception, underscore sustained adaptations amid evolving legislative climates, with diversified programming at venues like the Orlando emphasizing self-contained experiences to ensure resilience.

Event Components

Theme Park Gatherings

The core tradition of Gay Days theme park gatherings centers on coordinated visits by thousands of LGBTQ+ participants and allies to Disney World parks, most prominently on the first Saturday in , where attendees wear red shirts for mutual recognition and group cohesion. This visible signaling facilitates informal meetups, shared rides, and collective photographs at landmarks like , without any programmed activities or endorsements from the parks. Owing to the event's unofficial status, logistics rely on participant-driven coordination through online schedules and social networks, yielding spontaneous formations of large red-shirted clusters that navigate pathways, , and queues organically. Such dynamics can produce flash gatherings in popular areas, extending wait times for on peak days as groups prioritize camaraderie over efficiency. The resulting attendance surges are substantial; for instance, as many as 60,000 Gay Days participants have been projected for alone on the designated red-shirt Saturday, amplifying overall crowds amid the parks' typical June volumes of 40,000–50,000 daily visitors per park. Disney's parks maintain dominance in these outings due to their expansive, family-centric layouts offering safe, high-visibility spaces for expression, even as the participant base skews toward adult rather than nuclear families. Variations extend to other Orlando venues like Studios, where smaller red-shirt contingents follow similar informal patterns on alternate days, though without matching the scale or tradition at Disney properties.

Nightlife and Social Events

Evening social events during Gay Days Orlando feature ticketed pool parties, themed dances, and mixers at resorts and clubs, designed to promote community interaction among predominantly attendees. Key offerings include parties held Thursday through Saturday nights on verandas, with themes such as elements, priced at $10–$25 per entry, alongside late-night circuit-style dances extending until 2 a.m. or later. Other highlights encompass Roman-themed galas like "RED Vol. 8: ROMA" at venues such as ' , featuring DJ performances and drawing crowds focused on socializing through music and themed attire. These events often accommodate 1,500 to 6,000 participants per night, contributing to the overall influx of 150,000–180,000 visitors across the multi-day gathering. service is standard at these 18+ venues, fostering environments where public displays of affection and uninhibited dancing prevail, contrasting with the more restrained conduct observed during daytime theme park visits to maintain broader public decorum. Over time, nightlife programming has shifted from early informal bar hops advertised via local fliers to structured, branded festivals with professional DJ lineups and VIP packages, enhancing the event's draw as a comprehensive experience for participants seeking extended socializing beyond park hours.

Role of Gay Bars

![Robert Gold, bartender at Parliament House][float-right] Gay bars in Orlando have historically functioned as essential hubs for the coordination and spillover activities of Gay Days, providing venues for planning, socializing, and after-hours decompression away from theme park settings. The Parliament House, established as a gay resort on May 1, 1975, by Bill Miller and , exemplified this role with its multiple bars, theater, and motel rooms, attracting early Gay Days participants for pre-event meetups and post-park gatherings in a dedicated LGBTQ+ space. This resort's infrastructure enabled informal organization among attendees, building on Orlando's scene that dated back to the late . During Gay Days weeks, these bars hosted themed nights, drag shows, and special performances, drawing crowds that strained capacities while elevating their prominence as auxiliary event components. Parliament House, for example, featured events like DJ sets and celebrity appearances specifically tied to Gay Days, such as Kameron Michaels' performance in 2019, fostering nightlife extensions of the daytime theme park focus. The influx of 100,000 to 150,000 attendees generated revenue spikes for local gay bars through increased patronage, though precise figures for individual venues remain undocumented; broader economic analyses indicate millions in total impact for Orlando , including . Following Parliament House's closure in October 2020 due to financial and legal issues, other bars like Savoy Orlando have assumed similar functions, organizing Gay Days-themed to sustain the tradition. Culturally, gay bars offered unreserved spaces for expression that complemented Gay Days' more conservative park activities, rooted in the event's emergence from Orlando's bar-centric queer social networks predating widespread online coordination. These provided safe havens for , contrasting theme park decorum with vibrant, adult-oriented atmospheres that underscored the event's origins in localized scenes.

Locations and Variations

Orlando as the Primary Hub

Orlando's role as the primary hub for Gay Days originated in 1991, when local resident Doug Swallow and a group of friends designated the first Saturday in June for a gathering at , leveraging the resort's proximity and appeal to draw initial crowds of around 3,000 participants wearing red shirts for visibility. This location-centric focus has persisted, with over 90% of event activities historically concentrated around Disney World and adjacent Orlando theme parks, capitalizing on the area's infrastructure for large-scale tourism. Attendance has grown substantially, routinely exceeding 150,000 visitors during the June weekend, as reported by event organizers and local media, fostering a self-sustaining influx that peaks biennially or in high-turnout years up to 180,000. These gatherings generate an estimated economic input of over $100 million annually for , through spending on lodging, transportation, and services, though precise figures vary with some estimates placing theme park contributions alone at $13 million per event. The local ecosystem has adapted with dedicated infrastructure, including hotel blocks reserved in advance—often in packages pitched specifically to attendees—and shuttle services facilitating movement between accommodations and parks, a practice established shortly after the event's founding to accommodate the surge. Vendor partnerships with area businesses further support the influx, embedding Gay Days into Orlando's seasonal calendar despite its unofficial status. Florida's pro-tourism legal framework, emphasizing economic benefits from visitor volumes over content regulation, has enabled these unofficial events to thrive without formal sponsorship from , even amid state-level cultural tensions exemplified by like the 2022 Parental Rights in Education Act. This permissive approach contrasts with periodic conservative pushback but underscores Orlando's reliance on diverse tourist dollars, positioning the city as the event's enduring epicenter.

Extensions to Other Cities

Gay Days Anaheim, held annually at the in , emerged as the primary satellite event inspired by the Orlando prototype, beginning in 1998 with approximately 2,500 attendees. By the , the event had grown to draw over 30,000 participants, though remaining smaller in scale and impact compared to Orlando's gatherings, which often exceed 100,000 visitors. Participants continue traditions such as wearing red shirts for visibility during theme park visits, alongside off-site nightlife and social events tailored for repeat attendees seeking alternatives to the flagship. While Anaheim hosts formalized annual programming, typically in , extensions to other cities have been limited and less institutionalized, often manifesting as informal or one-off gatherings rather than branded offshoots. These peripheral events, sometimes aligned with local seasons, attract niche crowds of prior Orlando or Anaheim participants but lack the sustained attendance, infrastructure, and cultural footprint of the core hubs, serving primarily as variety for dedicated enthusiasts rather than drawing broad new participation. No comparable large-scale Gay Days equivalents have established in locales like or , where LGBTQ+ events more commonly operate under independent frameworks disconnected from the theme park-centric Orlando model.

Impacts and Reception

Positive Outcomes and Achievements

Gay Days has fostered community cohesion and visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals by enabling large-scale gatherings that emphasize shared identity and social bonding, with the event drawing over 150,000 visitors in recent years to participate in coordinated activities like wearing red shirts at theme parks. This annual tradition, which began in 1991 and marked its 35th anniversary in 2026, provides a dedicated space for participants to connect, reducing feelings of isolation through affirmation and akin to benefits observed in broader events. The event delivers measurable economic achievements for Orlando, generating an estimated $100 million annually in local spending on lodging, dining, transportation, and , thereby boosting revenue for hotels, restaurants, and attractions. These gains stem from private visitor expenditures without public subsidies or official theme park endorsement, highlighting how Gay Days sustains diverse streams through organizer-driven initiatives that benefit independent businesses.

Criticisms and Negative Externalities

Gay Days events have been associated with operational challenges at theme parks, particularly overcrowding on designated days such as the first Saturday in at , where attendance spikes contribute to extended wait times for rides and attractions. Guest reports consistently note crowd levels comparable to peak holiday periods, prompting recommendations to visit alternative parks to mitigate delays. Behavioral externalities include accounts of excessive public displays of affection () and intoxication among participants, which some observers claim disrupt the family-oriented environment of the parks. Gay blogger , writing in 2013, described witnessing PDA during Gay Days "almost always... in full view of a , or at least children," characterizing it as inappropriate for the setting. Forum discussions from Disney enthusiasts highlight complaints of , kissing, consumption via disguised bottles, and general rowdiness, linking these to heightened discomfort for non-participating families. The event's scale, with organizers estimating over 100,000 visitors annually, places strain on local , including full hotel occupancy and elevated demands on , as evidenced by the deployment of a dedicated Gay Days team for attendee support. This concentration creates opportunity costs for broader , as straight families and groups frequently alter travel plans to avoid the period, citing both logistical crowding and perceived shifts in park atmosphere.

Controversies

Religious and Conservative Opposition

In June 1997, the () approved a resolution initiating a of , objecting to its extension of health benefits to same-sex partners of employees and its perceived tolerance of unofficial Gay Days gatherings at , which the denomination viewed as endorsing homosexual behavior. The encouraged members to refrain from purchasing products, watching its affiliated network, and visiting its theme parks, with subsequent resolutions discouraging church conventions at Disney properties to protest these policies as morally corrosive. In June 1998, following that year's Gay Days weekend, televangelist stated on his program that Orlando faced potential hurricanes, earthquakes, or terrorist bombings as retribution for hosting the event and permitting rainbow flags, interpreting such allowances as inviting divine wrath against societal promotion of . That same period saw Operation Rescue, an anti-abortion and anti-homosexual activism group, attempt protests inside and outside from May 31 to June 7, with approximately 75 participants displaying signs like "Choose over " to decry Disney's stance, though the efforts drew limited participation and quickly subsided. More recently, the Family Association has sustained opposition through public warnings, including expenditures of $7,000 in 2011 to fly aerial over for two days proclaiming "Gay Day at " to alert families to the June 4 event and caution against its perceived immorality in a family-oriented venue. A similar campaign occurred in 2013, with a "Warning: Gay Day at 6/1" to notify visitors ahead of the gathering, framing it as an unsuitable influence on children and traditional values.

Tensions with Theme Park Management

Disney has never officially endorsed Gay Days, viewing it as an unsanctioned, attendee-organized event rather than a company-sponsored activity. In the event's early years during the , Disney management actively discouraged participation by posting warning signs at ticket booths and park entrances to alert families of the large influx of and visitors, such as notices in 1994 explicitly informing guests of a "gay and lesbian gathering" at the . These measures aimed to mitigate perceived disruptions from the crowds, estimated in the tens of thousands, who traditionally wore shirts to identify themselves. By the early 2000s, shifted from overt warnings to quieter operational adjustments, ceasing public advisories after approximately nine years of and avoiding explicit schedule alterations, though internal efforts focused on managing crowd flow during the first weekend of June. This evolution reflected a pragmatic driven by substantial economic benefits, as generated significant revenue from lodging, tickets, and concessions without requiring Disney's promotional involvement, preventing any outright prohibition despite ongoing non-endorsement. Management's reliance on the influx—drawing over 100,000 attendees at peak—outweighed discomfort, leading to acceptance as an entrenched part of the annual calendar, albeit unofficially. In recent years, particularly 2022–2023, tensions resurfaced amid Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act (commonly termed "Don't Say Gay" by critics) and related legislation under Governor , prompting concerns among Gay Days organizers about potential state interference at Disney properties. publicly opposed the laws, joining lawsuits against the state and hosting separate LGBTQ+-focused events like a 2023 rights summit at , yet refrained from prohibiting or altering Gay Days operations, allowing the event to proceed uninterrupted as a private gathering. This stance balanced legal challenges with business interests, maintaining revenue streams while navigating political pressures without direct event suppression.

Public Decency and Family Impact Debates

Critics of Gay Days have raised concerns about public displays of affection () and explicit behaviors occurring in theme parks during the event, arguing these alienate heterosexual families and children. In June 1997, Sarasota resident Kim Jones reported encountering suggestive remarks directed at her and her 10-year-old niece by lesbians, crude yelling at her fiancé by homosexual men, and visible use in ride queues while attending on the designated Gay Days date; her group departed early after several hours, prompting her to the park despite 15 prior visits. Similar accounts from a group noted discomfort leading to premature exits, with complaints centered on the lack of advance warnings about the event's scale and nature. These incidents have underscored debates on the mismatch between Gay Days' adult-oriented elements and the family-centric design of Orlando theme parks, which feature child-focused attractions, characters, and marketing emphasizing wholesome entertainment. Causal analysis highlights how concentrated gatherings of predominantly adult participants engaging in PDA—such as kissing or groping observed in 2008 reports of escalating physical interactions for photographs—can disrupt the expected environment, evidenced by visitor feedback citing unease among minors exposed to such displays. Boycott calls from family advocacy groups, including the Southern Baptist Convention's 1997 resolution targeting Disney partly over Gay Days' promotion of behaviors deemed incompatible with family values, reflect perceptual harms like reduced comfort for non-participating guests. Participants counter that visibility during Gay Days fosters acceptance and normalizes diverse relationships, asserting that reported PDA levels mirror or exceed routine heterosexual interactions in parks without similar backlash. Critics, however, for greater or temporal segregation, such as scheduling outside peak family seasons or enhanced park advisories, to mitigate exposure effects on children in shared public spaces, drawing from anecdotal logs of discomfort rather than formal surveys.

References

  1. [1]
    A look back at Gay Days history - Orlando Sentinel
    Jun 4, 2014 · 1991: Orlando resident Doug Swallow and a group of friends pick the first Saturday in June as Gay Day, spread word of their plans, and gather in ...
  2. [2]
    The History of Walt Disney World's "Gay Days"
    Jun 2, 2023 · The first Gay Day at Walt Disney World was held in 1991. It was not an official Disney event – in fact, Disney officials had no involvement in ...
  3. [3]
    Learn About GayDays a Premier LGBTQ+ Vacation
    WHEN GAY DAY BECAME "GAYDAYS®" ... The event's refusal to fade away is evident in its continuous growth. What initially started as a one-day trip to the Magic ...
  4. [4]
    GayDays a Premier LBGTQ+ Vaction Destination
    GayDays® Orlando is not a single-day event, it is the #1 premier LGBTQ+ vacation experience occurring over 5 days during the weekend in June.Buy Event Tickets · Special Events Info · GayDays 2026 · About GayDays
  5. [5]
    Gay Days Orlando at Disney World - Touring Plans
    An annual festival known as Gay Days takes place in Orlando. Disney theme park visits are part of the festival, but Gay Days is not a Disney-run event.<|control11|><|separator|>
  6. [6]
    Gay Days at Disney – Celebrate Pride & LGBT+ History Month
    May 31, 2021 · Gay Days Anaheim recreates the red shirt magic in October each year as part of LGBT+ History Month. Like its sister event, Gay Days at ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  7. [7]
    How Gay Day pushed Disney out of the closet - Orlando Weekly
    May 31, 2000 · A computer-software designer, Swallow was a subscriber to Compu-Who?, a local computer bulletin-board service that linked gays and lesbians, ...
  8. [8]
    Gay Orlando Steps Out - The New York Times
    May 13, 2005 · ... gay identity, said Doug Swallow, a software developer who is widely credited with founding Gay Days in 1991. (He now runs GayDay.com, which ...Missing: origins | Show results with:origins
  9. [9]
    Gay Days - AllEars.Net
    Mar 5, 2012 · In 1991, Doug Swallow and some of his Orlando friends decided to get a group together to visit the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. They ...Missing: origins | Show results with:origins<|separator|>
  10. [10]
    After a Political Storm, Gay Days Return to Disney
    Jun 10, 2022 · A four-day Pride extravaganza at Disney World and nearby hotels that attracts tens of thousands of LGBTQ visitors each June.Missing: definition | Show results with:definition
  11. [11]
    The big gay battle over Disney. In the 1990s, the Southern Baptist…
    Sep 2, 2020 · On June 8 1991, a get-together announced at Disney World in Orlando. Some gays wanted to get together at the theme park for an unofficial “Gay ...Missing: origins | Show results with:origins
  12. [12]
    GAYS AND LESBIANS PLAN DAY AT DISNEY - Orlando Sentinel
    ... Orlando gay activist Doug Swallow, who also conceived “Gay Day at the Central Florida Fair” this spring. Says Swallow: “The idea is just to ...
  13. [13]
    Gay Days celebrating 25 years at Walt Disney World – Chicago ...
    Doug Swallow first suggested the informal showing of gay solidarity at the Orlando-area theme park back in 1991. Since, attendance has grown exponentially into ...
  14. [14]
    Orlando's LGBTQ history in June highlights - Facebook
    Jun 4, 2018 · By the mid- 1990s, Orlando's Gay Days grew into a week-long slate of meetups and parties, part of a national story about queer visibility in ...Gay days at Walt Disney World started in 1991Gay skate night as a form of resistanceMore results from www.facebook.com<|separator|>
  15. [15]
    Central Florida Timeline - LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida
    ... Doug Swallow, reportedly started this now infamous day. An estimated ... Gay Day later became Gay Days at Disney World in Orlando. It expanded to a ...
  16. [16]
    POPULAR GAY DAY AT DISNEY WORLD ANCHORS WEEKEND ...
    May 30, 1995 · Attendance has more than doubled each year, from 500 to 2,000 to 8,500 to 23,000. This year's Gay and Lesbian Day at Walt Disney World's ...
  17. [17]
    Disney's 2025 Pride Parties & Gay Days: Everything You Need To ...
    How did Gay Days begin at Walt Disney World? Let's dip back into history. When Gay Days began in Orlando in 1991, the USA was living through the height of the ...
  18. [18]
    Gay Days brings crowds to Orlando - Tampa Bay Times
    Jun 5, 1997 · ... gay couples with children, said Doug Swallow, a computer software developer who started the event in 1991 as a way to meet people he had ...Missing: origins | Show results with:origins
  19. [19]
    Gay Days has become one of Orlando's largest attended events
    Jun 10, 2010 · It's estimated that 150,000 people attended Gay Days 2010. For comparison, the World of Concrete convention has 90,000 registered and the IAAPA ...Missing: growth 1990s 2000s
  20. [20]
    Official GayDayS® | Facebook
    Gay Days Orlando is only 60 days away! Book your room soon as they're ... Web Links: Website & Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) · No photo ...
  21. [21]
    Home - One Magical Weekend - LGBT Pride Month Music Festival
    Join One Magical Weekend 2025 at Disney, a premier LGBTQ+ fest with international DJs, iconic parties, and a vibrant community in Orlando!
  22. [22]
    Come Out With Pride reinvents festivities with virtual party, vehicle ...
    Oct 6, 2020 · Come Out With Pride is finding innovative new ways to celebrate in 2020, with a "Pride In The House" virtual party and a "Pride In The ...
  23. [23]
    How will Florida's Parental Rights in Education law be enforced ...
    Aug 15, 2022 · Some staff said they were told teachers in kindergarten through third grade could not display pride flags or photos of their same-sex spouses.Missing: impact | Show results with:impact
  24. [24]
    Services | Keep on Dancing - GayDays
    Special Events Info · Gay Days® Movie Night: Wednesday 7pm-10pm · Event Sponsor · Gay Days® Kick Off Party: Thursday 7pm-10pm · Event Sponsor · Gay Days® Foam Party ...Missing: hybrid virtual
  25. [25]
    'Gay Days' expected to boost Orlando economy - WFTV
    Jun 2, 2012 · The president of Gay Days says the event could bring as much as $600,000,000 to the local economy, but some tourism officials believe that ...Missing: revenue | Show results with:revenue
  26. [26]
    Our Story GayDays a Premier LGBT Destination
    GayDays® began in 1991 as a single designated day (always the first Saturday in June) when the LGBTQ+ community and friends were encouraged to "Wear Red and Be ...
  27. [27]
    Gay Days at Disney World celebrate Pride, LGBTQ identity. What to ...
    Apr 17, 2023 · Arguably the most prominent part of Gay Days, red shirt daysare when participants wear red shirts to specific parks to celebrate their identity ...
  28. [28]
    RED Shirt Pride Day Orlando 2026 - Gay Travel 4u
    RED Shirt Pride Day Orlando is an annual tradition that invites you to wear a red shirt to The Magic Kingdom on the first Saturday in June.
  29. [29]
    What is red shirt day? - planDisney - The Walt Disney Company
    May 27, 2021 · The unofficial Red Shirt Day is an annual Pride event that takes place each yEAR on the first Saturday in June within the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney ...Missing: theme | Show results with:theme
  30. [30]
    Gay Travelers Gather at Disney World to Vacation and Make a ...
    Jun 4, 2022 · Tens of thousands of visitors arrive at Walt Disney World this weekend for an unofficial gathering of gay parkgoers.
  31. [31]
    Gay Days At Walt Disney World: - Trend Hunter
    The annual GayDays event is in full swing in Orlando. This is the 16th year for the event and over 140,000 event participants are expected.
  32. [32]
    LGBTQ people flock to Florida for Disney's Gay Days celebration
    Jun 1, 2023 · Tens of thousands of LGBTQ people are flocking to central Florida this weekend to go on theme park rides, mingle with costumed performers, dance at all-night ...
  33. [33]
    'Gay Days' is returning to Florida theme parks in June. What to know
    May 30, 2025 · While reports differ on the number of participants during the inaugural event, they do state organizers encouraged those to wear red shirts to ...
  34. [34]
    Events - One Magical Weekend | LGBT Pride at Walt Disney
    One Magical Weekend includes Therapy Pool Parties, Pride Festival Parties, Cadabra After Hours Parties, a welcome party, a beach party, and a Roman themed ...
  35. [35]
    Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people flock to Florida for Gay Days ...
    Jun 1, 2023 · During Gay Days in the 1990s, hundreds of anti-abortion activists with Operation Rescue protested outside Walt Disney World, and the Southern ...Missing: attendance figures
  36. [36]
    FAQs - GayDays
    Gay Days is an adult event, most of our events are 18+. If you attend you may see adults in tight speedos, but nudity is not allowed in public spaces.Missing: scale attendance nightly
  37. [37]
    Gay Days in Orlando - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums
    Mar 29, 2006 · ) He said that the "wild" behavior of the young folks tends to happen at the hotel pool or at the bars. Reply. Mar 29th, 2006 | 07:01 AM. #22.
  38. [38]
    Parliament House Orlando gay resort - Facebook
    Aug 16, 2025 · The Parliament House officially opened as a gay resort on May 1, 1975. Bill Miller and Mike Hodge had taken control of the almost bankrupt and ...After 45 years, the iconic Orlando gay bar "Parliament House" plans ...Parliament House Orlando in the 70's - FacebookMore results from www.facebook.com
  39. [39]
    P-House: The rise and demise of a legendary gay resort - Bungalower
    Jul 25, 2022 · Parliament House was demolished in November of 2020 to make way for the project. There has been no mention of any nod to its storied queer past.
  40. [40]
    KAMERON MICHAELS - Gay Days Friday @ Parliament House
    GAY DAYS INVADES ORLANDO! Friday August 16th KAMERON MICHAELS apppearing LIVE! With DJ Kidd Madonny in the disco, DJ Scott Robert in the courtyard.
  41. [41]
    Gay Days at Parliament House! - Orlando Weekly
    May 31, 2013 · Gay Days at Parliament House! by Orlando Weekly Staff May 31 ... Orlando Weekly Events · Today's Events · This Weekend · Free Events · Submit ...
  42. [42]
    LGBTQ+ people flock to Florida for Gay Days festival | AP News
    Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people are flocking to central Florida this weekend to go on theme park rides, ...
  43. [43]
    Gay Days equals big economic impact - Spectrum Bay News 9
    Jun 2, 2012 · Orlando Gay Travel.com estimates the theme parks make more than $13 million this weekend alone. While Gay Days is not a Disney sponsored event.Missing: revenue | Show results with:revenue
  44. [44]
    LGBTQ landmark Parliament House resort will close Monday
    Oct 29, 2020 · Orlando's Parliament House will shut down Monday, after a court this week ordered the operators of the famous LGBTQ nightclub and theater to leave.
  45. [45]
    SAVOY Orlando - Gay Bar in Orlando
    Daily happy hours, karaoke, trivia nights, and themed nights weekly. Always a good time, 7 nights a week, every day of the year.Upcoming Events · Private Events · Orlando Fringe 2019 · Food & Drinks Menus
  46. [46]
    The Wonderful World of Wanzie: A brief history of Orlando's queer ...
    Oct 5, 2023 · Both of Sue's bars operated primarily as gathering spots for queer women. For years men were routinely barred from entering Faces while Key ...Missing: coordination | Show results with:coordination
  47. [47]
    Parliament House: New Future for an Old Favorite
    Oct 20, 2021 · For more than forty years, Parliament House had provided a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ people to meet and be themselves at 410 N. Orange Blossom ...
  48. [48]
    How Gay Days Made a Home at Disney World | TIME
    on one day, the first ...
  49. [49]
    Disney World GayDays Orlando: Everything You Need to Know
    Apr 25, 2025 · Disney World GayDays brings nearly 180,000 guests from around the world to the Orlando area for a celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride and community.Missing: definition | Show results with:definition
  50. [50]
    Gay Days Orlando 2026 is a weekend of pool and dance parties.
    Gay Days Orlando 2026 includes pool parties, a Gay Days Expo, Magic Kingdom visits, and late-night circuit events, attracting 170,000+ attendees.Missing: brunches | Show results with:brunches
  51. [51]
    Gay Days returns to Disney World amid 'don't say gay' controversy
    Jun 2, 2022 · Orlando's Gay Days brings over 150000 people to the city and its theme parks ... Gay Days has a “huge” economic impact on the Central Florida ...Missing: attendance | Show results with:attendance
  52. [52]
    Florida Laws Spark Concerns Among Gay Days Organizers At ...
    May 31, 2023 · Spin forward more than 30 years, and Gay Days not only stretches over a weekend, but it is a key revenue driver for the Orlando area. Disney ...
  53. [53]
    Gay Days 2023 will go on despite DeSantis and anti-LGBTQ animus
    Jun 2, 2023 · Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend this year's Gay Days at Walt Disney World despite Florida's anti-LGBTQ laws.
  54. [54]
    Gay Days: What to expect with regard to crowd size - MiceChat
    Aug 15, 2012 · "The first Gay Days Anaheim in 1998 attracted about 2,500 people. Today the event attracts over 30,000 guests to the Disneyland Resort each year ...Missing: spikes | Show results with:spikes
  55. [55]
    26th Annual Gay Days Anaheim Kicks Off with Cheyenne Jackson ...
    Sep 15, 2024 · This weekend marks the 26th anniversary of Gay Days Anaheim, with more than 30000 members of the LGBTQ+ community donning their red shirts ...
  56. [56]
    Everything to Know for Disneyland Pride Month & Gay Days 2025
    Sep 1, 2025 · Gay Days draws crowds of over 30,000 people annually. The event has shifted from early October to mid-September in recent years, and that has ...
  57. [57]
    Gay Days Anaheim: HOME
    Once again, for those of you for whom just one Gay Days a year isn't enough, our annual Mini Gay Days will be back February 28, with meet... GAY DAYS 2019.
  58. [58]
    GAY DAYS ANAHEIM is back SEPT 12th-14th! Since its inception in ...
    Sep 4, 2025 · GAY DAYS ANAHEIM is back SEPT 12th-14th! Since its inception in 1998, this vibrant celebration has attracted around 35000 LGBT+ revelers to.
  59. [59]
    Gay Days Anaheim 2026 held at California's noted Disneyland
    Gay Days Anaheim 2026 brings around 35000 GLBT revelers to Southern California's noted Disneyland resort and theme park,Missing: numbers | Show results with:numbers
  60. [60]
    Disney's LGBTQ history is complicated - Business Insider
    Apr 26, 2023 · Disney's LGBTQ history is mixed. The company has "queer-coded" characters in movies and Gay Days at parks but stumbled on the "Don't Say ...
  61. [61]
    The Real Mental Health Benefits of Celebrating Pride - Healthline
    May 17, 2022 · For LGBTQIA+ community members who face discrimination and social isolation, Pride events offer important opportunities for connection, support, ...Mental health risk · Benefits of celebrating · Pride tipsMissing: Gay cohesion
  62. [62]
    Just how busy is DW during Gay Days? - DISboards.com
    Oct 21, 2019 · Truly, the only day during Gay Days with a noticeable impact on crowds is the designated Magic Kingdom day. (Each park has a designated "red ...Missing: spikes | Show results with:spikes<|separator|>
  63. [63]
    is gaydays a bad time to go? - WDWMAGIC Forums
    Sep 1, 2008 · The one and only reason why I would recommend someone NOT to go there during the Gay Days week is the crowd level. It is obvious that it will be ...
  64. [64]
    Homosexual blogger admits 'Gay Day' at Disney World is disgraceful
    May 28, 2013 · Over the years I have heard about, and have witnessed, what is commonly referred to as PDA (public displays of affection) during gay days ...
  65. [65]
    Don't Go to Disney World's Magic Kingdom on 'Gay Days,' Saturday ...
    May 23, 2014 · ... PDA (public displays of affection) during Gay Days, and almost always it's done in full view of a family, or at least children. I don't care ...
  66. [66]
    Complaints about Gaydays | DIS Disney Discussion Forums
    Feb 28, 2011 · At least a small group of people have bad conduct at the disney parks. (drugs, drinking, booze in water bottles, kissing, groping, ect.) I hope ...Missing: rowdy | Show results with:rowdy
  67. [67]
    HELP: Family at WDW during Gay Days? - DISboards.com
    Jan 8, 2015 · Does anyone here have experience with being at WDW during Gay Days? Does it turn into a big Gay Pride Parade?? (Over-the-top PDA, obnoxious t-shirts, cross- ...
  68. [68]
    GayDays Medic Team a LGBTQ+ Friendly Team
    Apply to be a Medic at the Official Gay Days Orlando and work with our friendly First Aid team to provide LGBTQ+ Medical Support!
  69. [69]
    GAY DAYS IS TOPS FOR MANY WHO DO 'CIRCUIT'
    Jun 4, 2004 · Official visitor counts are scarce for these events. Gay Days organizers have said for years that the event draws more than 100,000 people, but ...
  70. [70]
    GAY DAYS- Should I be concerned for my kids - DISboards.com
    Feb 13, 2008 · GAY DAYS- Should I be concerned for my kids ? Thread starter ... PDA. Of course, as is true for any large group -- from cheerleaders ...Missing: complaints | Show results with:complaints
  71. [71]
    Southern Baptist Convention Calls for Boycott of Disney
    Jun 19, 1997 · Southern Baptist Convention calls for boycott of Walt Disney Co to protest its policy of offering benefits to employees' homosexual partners ...
  72. [72]
    https://www.cnn.com/US/9706/18/baptists.disney/index.html
  73. [73]
    Boycott had more effect on SBC image than Disney's profits, author ...
    Jun 3, 2004 · Before and after the boycott, Baptist critics complained Disney allowed large-scale “Gay Days” promotions in its theme parks and offered health ...
  74. [74]
    ROBERTSON HAS DIRE FORECAST FOLLOWING ORLANDO GAY ...
    Jun 10, 1998 · Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson said Orlando should beware of hurricanes after allowing Gay Days to be held there last weekend.Missing: disaster prediction
  75. [75]
    FORECASTING HAVOC FOR ORLANDO - The Washington Post
    Jun 10, 1998 · Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson has warned the city of Orlando that it risks hurricanes, earthquakes and terrorist bombs by allowing gay ...Missing: prediction | Show results with:prediction
  76. [76]
    Operation Rescue plans to crash gays' Disney party - June 5, 1998
    Jun 5, 1998 · Operation Rescue protesters plan to preach during Disney's annual Gay Pride Day. In this story: 'Choose Jesus over Mickey Mouse'; 'There's ...
  77. [77]
    Group to Target Gays at Disney World - Los Angeles Times
    May 29, 1998 · Operation Rescue, a confrontational anti-abortion, anti-gay group, will protest inside Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom during an annual gay ...
  78. [78]
    Gay Days Brings Cash, Criticism - WESH
    Jun 4, 2011 · The Florida Family Association is boycotting the event. The group is spending $7,000 to fly banners for two days near Disney warning ...
  79. [79]
    “Gay Day” warnings flown over Disney World - Action News 5
    Jun 4, 2011 · A Christian group is protesting the annual "Gay Day" by flying a banner plane over Disney World with a warning message for visitors.
  80. [80]
    Disney welcomes Gay Days in Florida as the feud with DeSantis ...
    Disney welcomes Gay Days ... In 2013, a plane with the banner "Warning: Gay Day at Disney 6/1" was spotted flying around Central Florida. The Florida Family ...
  81. [81]
    'Warning: Gay Day at Disney" banner flys over Orlando - YouTube
    Jun 4, 2013 · The Florida Family Association paid more than $16,000 to fly several banners over Central Florida "warning" people about "Gay Days" at Walt ...
  82. [82]
    Disney's Queer Track Record: A Troubled History - IndieWire
    Jun 14, 2023 · Gay Days grew into one of the biggest events for Disney World, attracting over 100,000 attendees. But Disney wouldn't officially sponsor the ...
  83. [83]
    Gay Days becoming part of Disney landscape
    Jun 2, 2000 · Gay Days started out as a single day in 1991 when then-Orlando resident Doug Swallow and friends from a gay computer bulletin board service ...Missing: attendance | Show results with:attendance
  84. [84]
    Gay Days No Longer Worry Disney World - Los Angeles Times
    Jun 3, 2000 · One year, Disney posted signs at the entrance informing guests that there was a gathering of homosexuals in the Magic Kingdom. In other years, ...Missing: attendance | Show results with:attendance
  85. [85]
    Disney World Defies Ron DeSantis by Hosting Gay Rights Summit in ...
    Mar 22, 2023 · In February 2022 Disney came out in opposition to the Florida GOP's "don't say gay" bill, sparking a backlash from DeSantis.
  86. [86]
    https://ew.com/disney-world-settles-ron-desantis-legal-battle-dont-say-gay-law-8621036
  87. [87]
    Disgust over Disney 'Gay Day' Registered by Visitors | Baptist Press
    She also was offended by obvious cocaine snorting by homosexuals in front of and behind them as they waited in ride lines, Jones said. After several hours, they ...
  88. [88]
    Gay Days Disney Celebration: Part Celebration, Part Fiasco
    Oct 6, 2008 · Hugging had turned into making out, the subtle pat on the butt was now a full-on hand down the pants, and, for a sly photo op, friends cheered ...