Orlando Fl Ready As Gay Days Begin
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The festivities of Gay Days 2008 are under way.
Although it may have once been treated like Orlando's dirty little secret, it is now a big, flamboyant moneymaker.
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Organizers said gas prices and the economic slump will not slow things down.
The event kicked off on Tuesday Night with a bash at Orlando's Parliament House. The week-long event could bring more than 145,000 people and their money to the area.
However, the celebration won't be without controversy.
"Gay Days in Orlando is like Christmas time," Richard Cross said.
Patty Sheehan, an Orlando city commissioner, is also a member of the gay community. She said what started in 1991 as a one-day event at Walt Disney World has come a long way.
"I do here proclaim the week of June 2, 2008, as Gay Days in the city of Orlando,” said Sheehan. "I can remember as a young person looking out on the crowd of red shirts, like the one I'm wearing now, and feeling so incredibly empowered, so I think that's really what the message is about."
Although there are fewer protests than in the past, this year's event will not go unopposed. The Evangelical group called Love Won Out plans to preach the anti-gay message at a conference in Orlando on Saturday.
"We want them to know there's hope. Change is possible. You're not born gay," said a member of the evangelical group.
"The anti-x gay stuff didn't work on me, and I don't think it works on most people," said Sheehan.
The 145,000 gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders come from all over the world, are they said they're more focused on having fun.
"You do meet people you don't normally meet out in the community," said Dame Edna, Miss Gay Days Pageant host.
Local businesses look forward to the funds. Gay Days brings an estimated $100 million to the area, and despite tough financial times, ticket sales have not slowed down.
"Even though gas is high and the economy is bad, people are staying in the country, and they want to come to Orlando, so that's a good thing," said Sheehan.
More than 50 events are planned throughout the week. This includes a film festival and free HIV testing. Saturday is the official Gay Day at Disney's Magic Kingdom.
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To comment on this story, send an e-mail to Kendra Oestreich.