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Every year, fans love to experience the magic and inclusivity of Disneyland Pride Nite. This special event celebrates diversity and love in the iconic setting of Disneyland Park. From colorful decorations to exclusive entertainment, Disneyland Pride Nite is a vibrant and joyous occasion for all attendees.
At Disneyland Pride Nite, guests can immerse themselves in a unique blend of Disney magic and pride celebrations. The park comes alive with rainbow-themed decor, creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. From Main Street, U.S.A., to Sleeping Beauty Castle, every corner is adorned with vibrant colors that reflect the spirit of inclusion and acceptance.
However, not all fans are feeling joyous from this year’s festivities. In fact, a viral video showing Stitch in leather gear has caused a massive controversy within the Disney theme park community.
Related: The History of Walt Disney World’s “Gay Days”
Credit: Inside the Magic
Viral Stitch Video Means Trouble for Disney
Disneyland Pride Nite offers a variety of special entertainment options for guests to enjoy. From dance parties at the Pride Nite Dance Club to character meet and greets, there is no shortage of fun and excitement to be had. Overall, Disneyland Pride Nite is a celebration of love, unity, and acceptance, set against the backdrop of the iconic Disneyland Park.
While these events are typically a place for wholesome, family-friendly fun, things turned slightly more mature at a recent event. In a surprising turn, fans captured footage of Stitch, the lovable character from Lilo and Stitch, dancing to the song “Rush” by Troye Sivan. The song has notably mature lyrics, such as:
“I feel the rush
Addicted to your touch
Oh, I feel the rush
(It’s so good, it’s so good)”
In addition to the song lyrics, Stitch is also seen wearing a leather outfit. Many drew comparisons between his outfits and the outfits of the LGBTQ+ leather community, which is a known kink subset. The leather community even has a flag. According to definitions online:
“The leather pride flag is a symbol of leather subculture as well as kink and fetish subcultures more broadly, including BDSM.”
Stitch is leathered up as he dances to Troye Sivan’s “Rush” at Disneyland Pride. 🏳️🌈
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) June 19, 2024
Fans Grow Critical of Disney Video
While many fans loved the video and commended Disney for their pride celebrations, others feel less than pleased by this kind of material in a child-friendly location like Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. This incident comes just weeks after a Disney Springs hotel became criticized for its animal bondage Pride decorations. One such fan called out Disney for introducing the leather community to children at this event. They say:
I’m not saying pride at Disney is bad, but introducing the leather subculture, which is part of the kink community, through a character from a kids’ show feels inappropriate. Kids should be taught to love and accept everyone, but introducing kinks, even subtly, during a developmental stage when they are curious and have access to the internet can be problematic. A simple search for “leather LGBT pride” could quickly lead to sex-related content. This is one of those times when I’ll have to stand by my point, even if no one else agrees.
I should have worded my question differently, as it didn't come from a place of hate.
I'm not saying pride at Disney is bad, but introducing the leather subculture, which is part of the kink community, through a character from a kids' show feels inappropriate.
Kids should be… pic.twitter.com/kOTphV59cW
— The Nowhere King (@Axarionx) June 19, 2024
While many applaud Disney for embracing diversity and inclusivity through Pride Nite, some individuals have expressed concerns about the event conflicting with their personal beliefs. Despite the controversy, Disneyland Pride Nite continues to be a significant and cherished occasion for many attendees who value the opportunity to show their pride and support for the LGBTQ+ community in a magical setting like Disneyland Resort.
Just a reminder, kids don’t know what the leather jacket represents…..UNLESS YOU TELL THEM. And they’re certainly not asking.
Whether or not you tell a child what it means when Stitch wears a leather jacket whilst dancing to an extremely inappropriate song is irrelevant. We live in the age of global access and tech savvy kids. This is wildly inappropriate for a disney setting and yet another example of how far disney has strayed from family child centered content. Big mistake Disney. Unfortunately not surprising.
This has gone too far!
Pride night is not about inclusivity and love.
Y’all. It’s a LEATHER JACKET. People everywhere in all walks of life wear leather jackets. It’s not as if it’s some fettish looking jumpsuit. I cannot speak to the song, but there is nothing wrong with the jacket other than it looks like Stitch should be over heating.
Stop making some big deal over absolutely EVERYTHING! Don’t talk about what you think this could possibly mean, in front of your kids. Stitch wears a leather jacket in the movie for Pete’s sake!
I am a conservative mom, not some over the top person in either direction. So don’t think I feel this way because of one thing or another.