The Queer Architects of Fantasy
Learning to Build Our Own Worlds
Have you ever wondered who built the worlds we escape to when we visit theme parks? Who designed the rides that make us scream, laugh, and yes, maybe even cry as we hurtle into the unknown? Well, it turns out that the magic behind these worlds isn't just in the fairy tales told within them, but in the hands of the queer architects who brought those dreams to life.
Take Bob Gurr, for instance, the man behind the iconic creations at Disneyland—the Matterhorn, the Disneyland Monorail, the Haunted Mansion, and more. While the world was busy celebrating the creations of Walt Disney, Gurr was quietly shaping the very framework of Disney's magic. And here's the kicker: Bob, like many other creative geniuses in the industry, was part of the queer community—a reality that wasn't always front-and-center.
But why does this matter? Well, let's start with the truth. Queer creators, like Gurr, have always been behind the scenes, constructing the fantasies that allowed the rest of us to escape into worlds that felt anything but ordinary. These designers have built places where everyone, no matter their gender, sexuality, or background, could find a moment of belonging.
What Are We Really Escaping From?
Bob Gurr, a man whose career spanned decades and helped shape some of the most iconic aspects of Disneyland, was living proof that brilliance and queerness could co-exist quietly, almost like a hidden Easter egg inside a grand amusement park. A little bit of gay magic sprinkled into every monorail turn.
But as much as Gurr's story inspires, it also begs the question: How many other queer creatives have remained behind the curtain? How many other voices have been left out of the conversation because their sexuality wasn't something that fit the mainstream narrative of 'family-friendly' or 'acceptable'? It's a tale as old as time. Queer people, often marginalized and sidelined, have shaped every inch of popular culture—particularly the world of escapism—while the spotlight shines on others.
It's not just about the architects of our theme parks, though. Think of the wardrobe designers, the set decorators, the choreographers—the individuals who pour their hearts into creating the fantasy worlds we fall in love with. There's a certain type of magic that queer creatives bring to these spaces, an understanding of the importance of creating places where everyone can be their truest self.
Maybe that's why we queer folks are so drawn to theme parks. Is it the allure of a space where the rules of the real world are suspended? Or is it the idea that, in a theme park, for at least a few hours, we can experience the world as we want it to be: colorful, inclusive, and filled with possibility? It's no accident that the magic of Disneyland (and the work of creators like Gurr) offers a promise of escape—a promise that says, "Here, you can be free."
Creating a Space Where We Belong
I can't help but think of how these spaces have, over time, offered comfort for generations of LGBTQIA+ individuals who were searching for a place where they could belong. Maybe it's in the gleaming glass of the ride vehicles, or the smooth tracks that twist and turn like our own identities. What's always stood out to me about theme parks is that they promise something we crave: transformation. You step into a different world. And sometimes, that's all we need—just a place where we can reinvent ourselves for a moment and leave the world's limitations behind.
So next time you're on a ride, whether it's zooming around the Matterhorn or gliding through the Magic Kingdom, take a moment to think about who made it all possible. You're riding through the imagination of people like Bob Gurr, who gave us not only worlds of wonder but worlds where we—queer or straight—can finally see ourselves reflected back in the sparkling lights.
In the end, maybe that's what we queer creators know best: how to build a world where everyone can find a home. And, if that home happens to be filled with flying elephants and spinning teacups? Well, maybe we're onto something.
Written by Daryl Marez | Hiya! Subscribe to my author newsletter to receive news & project updates—Check out my other links for more.