Company news: Disney to allow same-sex services
Same-sex couples who want to exchange vows in front of Cinderella’s Castle now have the chance.
The Walt Disney Co. had limited its Fairy Tale Wedding program to couples with valid marriage licenses, but it is now making ceremonies at its parks available to gay couples as well.
“We believe this change is consistent with Disney’s long-standing policy of welcoming every guest in an inclusive environment,” Disney Parks and Resorts spokesman Donn Walker said Friday. “We want everyone who comes to celebrate a special occasion at Disney to feel welcome and respected.”
The company said it made the change after being contacted by a gay couple who wanted to use the wedding service, which offers ceremonies at Disneyland in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disney’s cruise ships.
The service offers flowers, dining, music and many optional Disney touches, from ceremonies in front of the parks’ iconic attractions to having Mickey and Minnie Mouse in formal wear as guests. The packages start at $8,000 and can cost more than $45,000.
“The U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin could reach a preliminary agreement as early as next week on how much the defense contractor will be paid for a pair of next-generation combat ships that have been heavily criticized due to skyrocketing costs.
Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter has indicated he plans to strike a deal with Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin Corp. ahead of an April 12 deadline after a stop-work order was placed on one of its ships due to cost overruns, Capt. Beci Brenton, spokeswoman for Winter’s office, said on Friday.
Senior Navy officials in January placed a 90-day stop-work order on the second of two ships Lockheed is building as part of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program so they could conduct a cost review. The Navy awarded contracts for four LCS ships, initially estimated to cost $270 million each, two to Lockheed and two to Falls Church, Va.-based General Dynamics Corp.
“Sprint Nextel Corp., the only losing bidder among four companies vying for a government telecommunications contract worth up to $48 billion, said Friday it has decided not to protest last week’s decision.
The company met with the General Service Administration on Wednesday for a “debriefing” on why they weren’t chosen for the 10-year “Networx Universal” contract.
Sprint Nextel informed the agency Thursday that it would not protest the decision, said company spokeswoman Sukhi Sahni, who did not offer any more details.
“After a thorough discussion, Sprint has decided to move forward and focus on the future and continue to aggressively pursue the forthcoming Networx Enterprise contract,” according to an official statement by the company.