Gay Days takes over Orlando

A rainbow is coming to Orlando this weekend as "Gay Days" kicks off its annual celebration throughout the city.

Gay Days is a weekend long celebration that happens the first Saturday in June each year. Members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community, or LGBT, come out to celebrate.

"I go every year," said Danial Berns. "It's a time when my husband and I can go out and not have to worry about people looking at us or saying anything negative to us for holding hands or kissing."

The celebration started in 1991 when the LGBT community and friends could go to major theme parks and be seen, usually by wearing red.

Several different attractions in the area also cater to the increase of traffic from Gay Days. Disney World, one of the main attractions in Orlando, has parades, t-shirts, Jell-O shots and concerts specifically marketed toward Gay Days.

"The revenue that comes into Orlando is incredible," said Orlando business owner Mark Wylie. "It is amazing-the sheer volume of people that flock to Orlando during Gay Days."

Money may be one of the reasons the celebration has lasted.

It was reported by Orlando Pride Incorporated, one of the many organizations in Orlando supporting Gay Days, that more than $100 million, on one day alone, came from the LGBT community.

Although the business community may like the income, there is still some backlash, as several religious groups like Westboro Baptist Church visit Orlando during the weekend long celebration to speak out against the event.

Westboro, perhaps best known for picketing at funerals for war veterans, had Orlando as one of their protest sites on their website godhatesfags.com.

Several entertainers also use Gay Days as a way to promote themselves. Enrique Iglesias performed at Disney in 2007, and Cyndi Lauper took the stage in 2008. This year Taylor Dayne and Deborah Gibson are both performing at Parliament House June 4 and 5.

It is estimated by gaydays.com that more than 200,000 people from the LGBT community will be attending this year's celebration.

"The crowds keep getting bigger every year," said Wylie. "I think it is becoming such a bash that everyone wants to be a part of it."

Celebration may be the reason for Gay Days, but pride may be another. Whatever anyone's reason for going, they will likely be welcomed.