Editor’s Desk 8.27.15

Beyond all of the “It’s a Small World” and “Be Our Guest” tropes of Walt Disney World and the screaming children behind them, a stronger tide of inclusion has washed over Central Florida’s largest employer, one that threatens to make a believer out of even this cynic. That’s why it’s a Magic Kingdom, right? Shut up, turkey leg.

This week, it’s all about the shifting culture of acceptance and celebration of diversity at the park of all parks, thanks in no small part to WDW President George Kalogridis, our cover model. Kalogridis was kind enough to offer up his personage in order to discuss the park’s expanding acceptance of LGBT individuals; he is one.

To say this a big “get” is an understatement, because, as we all know, in corporate culture, speaking about who you are makes you less a part of that corporate culture and more of a part of the anxiety of being out. There’s no need to get too heavily pedantic on this one – Disney still keeps its locks nice and shiny and doesn’t want any family-breaking trouble – but writer Kirk Hartlage’s cover story about the advances in Disney’s employment culture is more than worth a read. It’s a signal of what’s to come and the bravery that precedes this moment.

It may sound trite at this point to talk about workplace fairness, but it’s not. It’s necessary. There are still people being fired for being LGBT; there are still people who think that marriage equality made LGBT lives (legally) absolutely equal in the grand scheme. That’s not the truth.

In this issue, we’ll tip a mouse-eared cap to Kalogridis, a long-time employee for the Mouse, and we’ll run through a few other pivotal sparks in our localized collectivity. We’ll try to loop together your interests with some pretty fantastic pieces about the evolution of one of our favorite LGBT activists, Equality Florida Chief Executive Officer Nadine Smith, an undeniable hero. Smith, it should be noted, is probably one of the best people you’ll ever meet, so you probably should prepare your altars. And, throughout the issue, you’ll see other names you know or maybe should know. People who are making a difference. The fight continues.

We also, as always, examine some of the peripheral battles and recognitions that make Florida’s LGBT community so important to the bettering of the nation. There are still malignant troubles at hand: Attorney General Pam Bondi’s refusal to pay legal restitution in her failed case against marriage equality is alarming; Rick Scott’s attacks on Planned Parenthood are clearly staged. Florida is a mess, but it’s a mess we’ll eventually clean up. We have to.

Elsewhere, we spend a few moments with the hilarious comedian Judy Gold, we fall on a couch with local Gay Bar Star Janine Klein, we try to keep a straight (gay) face about it all – and then we totally move on.

These are crazy times, in this editor’s humble opinion. We’re celebrating, but being nationally knocked down at the same time during a contentious political season. Rubio, right? Bush, right? Cruz, right? Santorum, right?

Let’s take a minute to celebrate the fantastic people and their fantastic causes as they enlighten our inner circle and our outermost concerns. Let’s take a minute to thank the people who have spent time and money to make this unexpected future our present. Let’s just be grateful.

Then, let’s be vigilant. The religious right has not given up on its fight to silence our fight (I get the emails), and the religious right can have its Sundays. But freedom isn’t an option; it’s a right. In this issue, we celebrate our rights as they are evolving. In this issue, we celebrate you.

In this issue, we celebrate life.

It’s a small world after all.