Hello, my name is Jallen (everyone says, "Hello, Jallen") and, well, I am a Disney-aholic! I know it may be hard for you to believe, but I'm the addictive type, at least when it comes to my weakness for Disney. It all started with my upbringing. My childhood and family is riddled with the need for a regular dose of Disney. I'd see all their movies at our local drive-in theater. As long as I can remember, we would periodically make the long sojourn to "the happiest place on earth." Our home movies are filled with trips to Disneyland. "Here's Jallen at age 5 at Disneyland. Here's Jallen at age 6 at Disneyland... " You get the idea. But I can't blame my family for the addiction.

As an adult, my addiction has grown and has even taken its toll on my bank account - collectibles, books, action figures, stuffed animals. Thank god for the creation of videos and (even more hard-core) DVDs so I can satisfy my Disney craving in the privacy of my own home. Performing music in Los Angeles or Orlando is really just a front to get my time at "Mecca." Much to my shame, every time I have traveled to Europe, I have dragged friends to Disneyland Paris (which, by the way, has the best roller coaster I have ever experienced, Space Mountain - radically different than the other parks).

I've gone to therapy for it. My loyalty mystifies friends (not to mention my beloved). But what can I say? I am addicted. Despite Disney's "let's-market-the-hell-out-of-everything-until-integrity-is-nearly-gone" attitude, I am always amazed at the quality with which they do things. From the architectural details of their parks to the cultural stylings of their animation. I for one am impressed. And when it comes to taking positive stands for justice, especially for gay & lesbians, Disney is on the cutting edge. They aren't radical. They just realize queer folks are a regular part of the population. Like one experience I had:

My friend Thomas and I were at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. We happened upon the Queen of Hearts, and we moved in for a picture and autograph (yes, I do the whole nine yards!). As we approached her, I asked, "Mind if you get a picture with a couple of queens?" She mimed a laugh, but after the picture was taken, she snatched the autograph book out of my hand and wrote, "There is only ONE Queen!"

Yes, I keep my addiction at a manageable level, but who wouldn't be sucked into the magical fun? Disney is King... um... Queen!

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