05-30-2025, 11:22 AM
Why LGBTQ+ people will soon be heading to Orlando. Everything to know about Gay Days 2025
--by USA Today May 30, 2025
Pride Month is almost here, with the entire month of June dedicated to the celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexualities.
The “Gay Days” event will make its annual return to Walt Disney World and other Orlando theme parks next week for LGBTQ+ community members and theme park lovers alike.
Gay Days Orlando is where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, friends, and supporters go to Walt Disney World and other Orlando theme parks
The first Saturday in June is traditionally red shirt day at Magic Kingdom, but there are other red shirt days at different parks. Along with days at the theme parks, local hotels and establishments hold events to mark the six-day event.
It should be noted that attendees will need to purchase a regular park ticket to go to the theme park events. It is not a separately sold ticket.
When are Gay Days happening this year?
Gay Days always happen at the beginning of Pride Month in June. This year’s events take place from Thursday, June 5 to Sunday, June 8.
Gay Days Orlando Theme Park Calendar 2025
Disney does sponsor or promote Gay Days; however, its Parks & Resorts division typically celebrates Pride Month by launching a themed collection ahead of time.
When did Gay Days first start?
The first documented event was held in June 1991 as a single-day event for those in the community. While reports differ on the number of participants during the inaugural event, they do state organizers encouraged those to wear red shirts to identify each other.
It has since ballooned into an annual, multiday event, which includes major sponsors and upwards of 180,000 people flocking to the Orlando area from across the world.
What is the significance of the red shirt during Gay Days?
Arguably the most prominent part of Gay Days, participants wear red shirts to specific parks to celebrate their identity or support others.
Back at the original gathering, attendants wore red shirts to make their presence more visible to other members of the community.
Now, the red shirt in itself has become a movement, with LGBTQ nonprofit Kindred Pride Foundation using it as a symbol for its mission to spread diversity and kindness.
What can you do during Gay Days outside of the parks?
Many Gay Days attendees visit theme parks, but the event’s host hotel, the Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at Seaworld, offers other activities, including popular pool parties, drag bingo, expos, and more.
There are also various events for the LGBTQ+ community around downtown Orlando during the next two weekends.
Does Universal Orlando have Gay Days?
Yes! During the “Gay Days” celebration, there are three days where events take place at Universal Orlando’s theme parks.
Are there precautions with visiting Florida due to anti-LGBTQ legislation?
Over the last few years, many have witnessed the turmoil between Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney, as well as anti-LGTQ legislation passed in Florida. Regardless, the event is still going on and many regular Gay Day attendees will make the trek to Orlando this year.
According to home security and safety blog SafeHome.org’s annual report of the best and worst states for LGBTQ+ safety, Florida ranks in last place in 2025.
“Under Governor Ron DeSantis, the Sunshine State has become increasingly cloudy for the LGBTQ+ community. He’s signed laws including a “Don’t Say Gay” initiative to restrict scholastic discussion of sexual orientation (then censured Disney for its opposition to the bill), a limit on access to gender-affirming care, and the criminalization of prohibited bathroom use by transgender citizens,” the report states.
“The climate of the state is so comparatively hostile that certain LGBTQ+ advocates and human rights organizations issued a travel advisory for the state. Additionally, Florida has the lowest percentage of hate crime reporting in the country with 44% of law enforcement agencies submitting hate crime data to the FBI in 2023.”
Does Disneyland host the same event?
On the other side of the country, Disneyland will be celebrating its third Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite on June 16 and June 18 at California’s Disneyland Park.
The specially ticketed event officially begins at 9 p.m. each night, after the park closes to guests with standard admission. Pride Nite guests can enter the park as early as 6 p.m., similar to other after-hours events.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Why LGBTQ+ people will soon be heading to Orlando. Everything to know about Gay Days 2025
Reporting by Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK
--by USA Today May 30, 2025
Pride Month is almost here, with the entire month of June dedicated to the celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexualities.
The “Gay Days” event will make its annual return to Walt Disney World and other Orlando theme parks next week for LGBTQ+ community members and theme park lovers alike.
Gay Days Orlando is where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, friends, and supporters go to Walt Disney World and other Orlando theme parks
The first Saturday in June is traditionally red shirt day at Magic Kingdom, but there are other red shirt days at different parks. Along with days at the theme parks, local hotels and establishments hold events to mark the six-day event.
It should be noted that attendees will need to purchase a regular park ticket to go to the theme park events. It is not a separately sold ticket.
When are Gay Days happening this year?
Gay Days always happen at the beginning of Pride Month in June. This year’s events take place from Thursday, June 5 to Sunday, June 8.
Gay Days Orlando Theme Park Calendar 2025
Disney does sponsor or promote Gay Days; however, its Parks & Resorts division typically celebrates Pride Month by launching a themed collection ahead of time.
When did Gay Days first start?
The first documented event was held in June 1991 as a single-day event for those in the community. While reports differ on the number of participants during the inaugural event, they do state organizers encouraged those to wear red shirts to identify each other.
It has since ballooned into an annual, multiday event, which includes major sponsors and upwards of 180,000 people flocking to the Orlando area from across the world.
What is the significance of the red shirt during Gay Days?
Arguably the most prominent part of Gay Days, participants wear red shirts to specific parks to celebrate their identity or support others.
Back at the original gathering, attendants wore red shirts to make their presence more visible to other members of the community.
Now, the red shirt in itself has become a movement, with LGBTQ nonprofit Kindred Pride Foundation using it as a symbol for its mission to spread diversity and kindness.
What can you do during Gay Days outside of the parks?
Many Gay Days attendees visit theme parks, but the event’s host hotel, the Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at Seaworld, offers other activities, including popular pool parties, drag bingo, expos, and more.
There are also various events for the LGBTQ+ community around downtown Orlando during the next two weekends.
Does Universal Orlando have Gay Days?
Yes! During the “Gay Days” celebration, there are three days where events take place at Universal Orlando’s theme parks.
Are there precautions with visiting Florida due to anti-LGBTQ legislation?
Over the last few years, many have witnessed the turmoil between Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney, as well as anti-LGTQ legislation passed in Florida. Regardless, the event is still going on and many regular Gay Day attendees will make the trek to Orlando this year.
According to home security and safety blog SafeHome.org’s annual report of the best and worst states for LGBTQ+ safety, Florida ranks in last place in 2025.
“Under Governor Ron DeSantis, the Sunshine State has become increasingly cloudy for the LGBTQ+ community. He’s signed laws including a “Don’t Say Gay” initiative to restrict scholastic discussion of sexual orientation (then censured Disney for its opposition to the bill), a limit on access to gender-affirming care, and the criminalization of prohibited bathroom use by transgender citizens,” the report states.
“The climate of the state is so comparatively hostile that certain LGBTQ+ advocates and human rights organizations issued a travel advisory for the state. Additionally, Florida has the lowest percentage of hate crime reporting in the country with 44% of law enforcement agencies submitting hate crime data to the FBI in 2023.”
Does Disneyland host the same event?
On the other side of the country, Disneyland will be celebrating its third Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite on June 16 and June 18 at California’s Disneyland Park.
The specially ticketed event officially begins at 9 p.m. each night, after the park closes to guests with standard admission. Pride Nite guests can enter the park as early as 6 p.m., similar to other after-hours events.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Why LGBTQ+ people will soon be heading to Orlando. Everything to know about Gay Days 2025
Reporting by Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK
