Using Disneyland to Sell Gay Marriage in Iowa

categories: Gay Marriage, LGBT Rights and Business, Marriage Equality, State LGBT News

Published October 03, 2009 @ 03:07AM PT

Disneyland

Here's something that Iowa has that California does not: same-sex marriage. Here's something that Iowa sees that California does not: tourism dollars from gay couples coming into the state to get married. That's a fact not lost on gay rights organizations or those in the same-sex wedding business, who turned to Disneyland this past week to help them sell gay marriage in the Hawkeye State.

Folks with the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance (ICCA) traveled to Disneyland during Gay Days to promote marriage equality in Iowa, and to let California same-sex couples know that if they need a wedding vacation destination, Iowa is as good a place as any -- at least when it comes to places that promote equality.

Joe Jennison with the ICCA said that the effort to promote Iowa is part tourism, but also about selling the message of equality.

"We want people to know that if the California Legislature is unwilling to take the step to give gay couples the right to marry, then please consider coming to Iowa where we will gladly welcome you with open arms," Jenison said. Prop 8, however, has pretty much rendered the legislature moot on this point. It now becomes a will of the voters to overturn California's ban on same-sex marriage.

But the point is still there -- if certain states are going to ban marriage for gay and lesbian couples, then there are other states that will eagerly strike to catch some of the same-sex wedding business. California might have Disneyland and a magic tea-cup ride, but Iowa has equal rights. I know which one I'd rather have.

(Photo courtesy of ewen and donabel's photostream on Flickr.)

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Comments (4)

The Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance is doing the correct thing by promoting the fact that Iowa recognizes the important right of same-sex marriage. It's unfortunate that California has an amendment in its constitution which bans same-sex marriage, but when it comes to LGBT rights, Iowa wins over California. Promoting how great same-sex marriage by showing that much revenue comes to a state which does recognize it, also shows the importance of LGBT equality.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 10/03/2009 @ 06:36PM PT
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Oh, but we might be gettin them back soon...as Judge Walker has struck another blow to the opposition.

See. http://tinyurl.com/yboh5ca

Opposition must turn over papers showing discussions of why they were going to start Proposition 8 to repeal the Supreme Court mandated equal marriage judgement.

If it is shown in these papers that they did it to discriminate against a minority group, then the referendum in nullified.

Posted by Lee Dorsey on 10/03/2009 @ 09:22PM PT
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Thank you mr. dorsey.

Although common sense would tell anyone who thinks for themselves that the motivation was indeed prejudice...Lets hope that it can be proven legaly.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/04/2009 @ 05:43PM PT
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I love disney land and I love the fact that unlike the rest of california, they dont discriminate...But I agree with mr. jones...

Better a place that has equality than a place that has a cool theme park...Even if it is disney land.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/04/2009 @ 05:45PM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.