Gay Days Orlando canceled, citing sponsor losses and mounting pressures on LGBTQ+ gatherings

"For more than three decades, Gay Days Orlando has functioned as both pilgrimage and proof of concept: a rolling, red-shirted demonstration that queer visibility could be festive, that tourism could be political, and that a loosely organized day at the theme parks could grow into one of the largest LGBTQ+ travel events in the country. This week, its organizers said they are pressing pause."

"The annual event usually sees thousands of queer people gather in Orlando to enjoy the city's many theme parks and attractions. Organizers cited the current political climate. They specified that changes to its host hotel agreement, the loss of key sponsorship support, and what they described as broader challenges facing LGBTQ+ events nationwide led them to cancel the 35th anniversary event. The group said the decision made it "impossible to deliver the experience our community deserves.""

"The announcement lands in a Florida that has grown increasingly inhospitable to public expressions of LGBTQ+ life. A bill now pending in the state legislature, dubbed the "Anti-Diversity in Local Government" bill by Equality Florida, would bar cities and counties from taking actions that recognize or respond to differences based on race, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, with limited exceptions."

Gay Days Orlando operated for more than three decades as a major LGBTQ+ travel gathering that brought thousands to Orlando theme parks. Organizers announced cancellation of the June 4–7, 2026 event, citing the current political climate, changes to the host hotel agreement, loss of key sponsorship support, and broader challenges facing LGBTQ+ events nationwide. The planned 35th anniversary was called off because organizers said it was "impossible to deliver the experience our community deserves." Organizers described the move as a pause with plans for a reimagined, more sustainable return. The announcement coincides with growing hostility in Florida and a pending "Anti-Diversity in Local Government" bill.

Read at Advocate.com