Those of us who are native to Orange County were lucky to grow up with Disneyland in our backyards. The nightly Dis-
neyland fireworks bring back endless summer memories. Travel anywhere in the world and mention Anaheim—the first
response you will get is Disneyland! Mention Disneyland in the gay community and everyone screams “Gay Days!” For 12
years, gays have donned their red shirts and migrated in vibrant flocks to make the happiest place on earth a little happier.
Eddie Shapiro and Jeffrey Epstein started Gay Days after visiting Disneyland in Recently Jeffrey has taken on a position at Disney. At the same time Eddie’s
1998. Eddie Shapiro elaborates, “Years and years ago there used to be gay night career has become more freelance. Eddie explains, “After a dozen years we just
at Disneyland. [Jeffrey] and I went a couple times and didn’t really enjoy it. The made a shift. I was the director of AIDS Walk in New York and Los Angeles and was
main reason was because it was an after-hours event. Not all of the rides were very, very busy, so my participation was more limited than I might have liked it to
open. There were no fireworks, no parades and not all the stores or restaurants be. Now Jeffrey is very busy actually working at Disney. My job now is a freelance
were open. We felt like we were almost…Disney’s late-night secret!” That is when one so I have more time to devote to it and have taken the lead.”
the two enterprising young men started Gay Days Anaheim, using some of the Tough economic conditions have affected Gay Days, but not by much. Shapiro
same ideas as Disney World’s Gay Days in Florida—such as wearing red shirts but said, “Some sponsors have dropped out but ticket sales and hotel bookings
with a different feel for the west coast. Shapiro explains, “We wanted the same remain strong. We anticipate that there will probably be some people who travel
Disney experience that you would get any other day but add things on top that from far away and who might skip this year altogether. I’ve heard of some people
they couldn’t get any other day. But we didn’t want the main focus to be a circuit from Australia who are coming. You never know.”
party vibe like Gay Days Florida has.” Eddie urges people to log on to their website:
GayDaysAnaheim.com where
Disney does not officially endorse or publicize the event. Shapiro explains, “We one can find many ways to save money on the event. “It’s important to go to our
didn’t need Disney’s approval in the beginning we just wore red shirts and went. website to book a hotel room because you get a 40 percent discount! You will also
Now we have a lot of things that we coordinate with Disney like hotel blocks so we see the full schedule.” The entire entertainment lineup can also be found there.
can offer discounts and discounted park tickets. They are very supportive.” Eddie shares a special Gay Days memory, “One of my favorite things that I ever
After adding so many things for people to do during Gay Days, Jeffrey and Ed- saw at Gay Days was two dads and a little boy—about 4 years old—and they were
die decided to write a book together called Queens in the Kingdom, the Ultimate all wearing matching rainbow shirts that said ‘love makes a family.’ I love that stuff.
Gay and Lesbian Guide to the Disney Theme Parks in 2003. The second edition I love that it’s a big enough universe that it can support everybody. It’s important
came out in 2007. Shapiro and Epstein have known each other for over 20 years for straight people to see that. It’s also important for straight people to see who
but have never been romantically involved. Eddie said, “We get a lot of people we actually are instead of who they think we are. This is the first year since Proposi-
writing in once they find out Jeffrey and I are single and they are very interested tion 8. Hopefully it will help bridge the gap.”
in getting to know us better! (Laughter) They want to know if they can come meet Gay Days Anaheim takes place October 2 to October 4. One-day, single-park
us in the park and play with us!” So much in fact that they have almost become passes are $72 for adults and $62 for children and are available at Disneyland’s en-
Disney attractions themselves. Eddie jokes, “Yes, sometimes you can even get a trance or from
disneyland.com. Complete details about Gay Days at Disneyland
fast pass from me! (Laughter).” and discounts are available at
GayDaysAnaheim.com.
september 2009 | RAGE monthly 7
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96