July 25, 2023
Half a Dozen 'Drag Race' Queens to Headline Gay Days at Disneyland
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
This year's Gay Days celebration at Disneyland, organized by Gay Days Anaheim and set to run Sept. 22-24, will be a dragalicious good time, featuring "Drag Race" queens Alexis Michelle, Crystal Methyd, Daya Betty, Gigi Goode, Lady Camden, and Symone, according to Variety.
"The slate of festivities kicks off on Sept. 22 with a 5 p.m. cocktail gathering hosted by Disney PRIDE, followed by a legendary cabaret performance by 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Season 8 contestant Alexis Michelle at 6 p.m.," the entertainment outlet detailed. "Zach Zimmerman will close out the night by performing two comedy performances at 8 and 10 p.m., respectively."
That's just for starters.
"On Sept. 23, 'Drag Race' Season 14 finalists Lady Camden and Daya Betty take the stage at 8 p.m. to debut a brand new show," Variety added. "Later in the evening, the House of Avalon is set to showcase its 'Sugartank: Gay Days' show, featuring Season 13 winner Symone and Season 12 runner-ups Gigi Goode and Crystal Methyd.
"Sept. 24 will present both Gay Days at Disney's California Adventure and the Gay Days Anaheim pool party, PLUNGE!, from 12-4 p.m. at the Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel," the writeup continued. "Finally, the weekend will close out with Varla Jean Merman's performance of 'Stand By Your Drag!' at 6 and 8 p.m."
In a nod to the attacks on the LGBTQ+ community being carried out by lawmakers in Florida, where Disneyland's sister theme park, Disney World, is located – as well as in a number of other states – this year's Gay Days slogan is "We say gay," a play on the notorious "Don't Say Gay" law in Florida that criminalizes classroom discussion of LGBTQ+ people and their concerns up through Grade 12. The catchphrase is emblazoned on the official shirts for this year's gathering, Variety noted.
This year's edition of the event will be the 25th annual Gay Days at Disneyland. A similar annual event has been ongoing at Disney World since 1991. Disney does not underwrite or organize the events; rather, they began as an informal convergence on the theme parks, with attendees encouraged to wear a red T-shirt – a tradition that continues to this day.
However, earlier this summer, Disneyland did host a "Pride Nite" as part of its Disney After Dark lineup of events.
