Message #47051

[Mark]

Disney hosts 'Family Outfest' aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender families

Last month, there was a major marketing push to attract same sex newlyweds to honeymoon in central Florida.

Now, Disney's signing on with a major event this summer aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families.

There are few family vacations as iconic as a trip to Disney World, and starting this summer, Disney's hosting the first ever "Family Outfest," a summer vacation, they said, for the modern family.

"We are just parents. You know, it doesn't matter who you are or what your sexuality is, regardless, you are people and people with families like anybody else," said Family Outfest Dir. Gabrielle Shulruff.

Set for the first week of July, including the Fourth of July holiday, Family Outfest is part of an effort to increase spending in central Florida by LGBT families by 25 percent. A key part of making that happen is the power of the Disney name.

Disney's long been host to same sex commitment ceremonies and the annual Gay Days, but without ever officially attaching the Disney name. Family Outfest is different.

"In this case, I think it's a step further. Obviously, it's really tapping into their audience, their market, and it's tapping into an exponentially growing and increasing market as well," said Mikael Audebert of Converge Orlando.

Organizers expect Family Outfest will bring more than $2 million in spending to central Florida, and for parents and kids, they promise that perfect family vacation, no matter what your modern family might look like.

The association with Disney has helped bring other big central Florida brands onboard for Family Outfest, including the Nickelodeon Suites Resort and the Fun Spot amusement park.

video report: http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/disney-hosts-family-outfest-aimed-lesbian-gay-bise/nc6cH/