A Change in Direction

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

FYI: I am speaking here only as a DIS'er, not as a moderator in the following statements.

The recent DIS policy changes that disallow discussions of politics and religion have caused a lot of people to reconsider their role here on the DIS. Many have decided to stick around full or part-time, others have just stopped posting, and still others have found new messageboards to call home. There isn't anything wrong with the choices that people are making. It's a free country and if you don't like how things are going for you here, then it's 100% your perogative to do what you feel is best for you. I have been doing quite a bit of thinking on the topic too in terms of my role as a DIS'er who is a part of the GLBT community.

Originally, this area of the DIS was intended to be a safe area for the GLBT community to gather to plan their trips to Disney resorts. I felt that this board had become too social, before I ever became a moderator here. There is just so much silliness, which is just too much for some people. It has been really difficult for us to keep the threads on topic, and I do know that I am guilty of doing it too. Really though, I can't imagine how the newbies must feel. Personally, I worry that we are not doing all that we could be doing with this forum. We have a wonderful group of people here who have a wide variety of Disney park experience that we could be and should be sharing. This doesn't mean that social and GLBT community issue threads should not be allowed, as long as they follow DISboard guidelines. I just feel that the main focus of the group should be tipped back towards being more of a trip planning oriented space rather than being more of a social space.

Is it time for this forum to make a change in direction? Feel free to post your thoughts. I am just putting this out there to see if others feel the same way and are willing to work to take us in that direction.

Thanks for reading this. :goodvibes

[Holly]

What's wrong with the silliness?

We can't have serious conversations about the issues we all face and now we can't have silliness and fun in here?

Why have the forum at all? We can do the majority of our Disney planning in the other topic specific forums. :confused3

[DVC~OKW~96]

I don't need a special GLBT board to plan a trip to Disney. :) I have been a member of the DIS for years. I haven't ever posted too terribly much, as I've never felt really welcome here. This board is not really all that different. :)

I feel invisible for the most part. No big deal, it just is. I stop by and post because I still want to feel a part of the LBGT community here on the DIS. I like knowing that there is a board where Disney loving LGBT folk hang out.

I think of it more as a community board for LGBT people, rather than a Disney planning board. We do share Disney experiences and information, but we share a whole lot more too.

I know that reading about the foster parenting experiences of one of our couples was a very moving experience for me and the others who frequent here. We all truly care how things work out for the couple and their foster child.

Reading about Rob and Scot's wedding was an inclusive experience, as is reading about King Louie's. We all loved the cake, the topper, the recounting of the special day and we all were pretty horrified at the thought of wedding crashers. I don't believe there was a single one of us who did not share in Rob's sense of loss and sadness with the closing of the AC.

How could we go a day without Rosie's irreverence and warmth and WallyB's incredible sense of humor and wit?

O'Mike, and ConcK are our very own CMs who take care of us here, and there. They both give of their knowledge and go out of their way to make Disney visits as special as they can be.

We have the coolest straight people going!

MM, our Syracuse connection, MiniCooperCraig... everyone here has a personality, adds a dimension to the boards, to the sense of community, to the sharing that we do here.

It's not a planning board for me, never has been. I may not feel much of a part of the community here, but I do recognize that one exists.

If this board's primary purpose is to function as a planning board, then I don't value it for that, rather for the people who come here and are silly, and funny, wise, witty and sometimes shocking. :)

Need a new direction? Not as far as I can see.

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I never said no silliness, just maybe less of it. Less hijacking threads taking them in 15 different directions. I am not trying to dictate policy with this post, rather I am attempting to access the needs of the newbies, lurkers, and regular posters. Personally, I would love to see this be more of a planning space where the people of the GLBT community can plan trips with their BF, GF, SO, and/or kids & family without intolerance.

[kitsch4]

Really though, I can't imagine how the newbies must feel.

I'm a newbie to this board, but I was lurking for a long time. Please don't lose the silliness. Life is too serious. I like to come on here to see the fun that everyone is having.

[C&G'sMama]

Hi Lindy,

I'm posting this as a relative newbie. The tone of this board is what attracted me to it and what keeps me coming back. I frequent the DISabilities board and they have a separate community board. I have a son with Asperger's syndrome, daughter with a hearing loss and DP and I are both Pooh Sized (of course I still feel I'm more like Ursula than Pooh, both in size and demeanor:rotfl:)

There are a group of us parents of "Aspies" that discuss everything under the sun about our children. I find it invaluable, it has helped both DP and I as we navigate the world with our son.

There is no separate LGBT community board so it seems the community and Disney parts are intermingled. But again, I think this is invaluable to many of us. I like being able to hop over and find out what's going on with my "brothers and sisters and friends". Sometimes it's about Disney, sometimes it isn't. But we share that Disney Bond. So even though we may not be talking Disney, we all kind of "get" each other.

Just my thoughts.

PS FOUR WEEKS FROM FRIDAY!!!! I think (I know) I'm more excited than my kids.:woohoo:

[MonorailMan]

I've been a member of several boards over the past 10 years, and one thing has always remained constant with all of them: As soon as limitations and/or rules with specifications are introduced after the board has been around for awhile, people start to leave or just post less often. That's just an observation I've made throughout the years.

As for the planning portion, I personally didn't come to the GLBT board when I was planning my last vacation. I went to 3 or 4 of the other boards because they were more topic-specific about the vacation planning process. I came to the GLBT board to read about the experiences other GLBT people had, and to post a little about my experience. If this board was used only for asking questions about "Which WDW bars are most GLBT friendly?", there would probably only be a couple posts per day.

Lastly, I think because of the silliness that goes on here many friendships have been made. If the social aspect of the board was to stop I'd feel bad for the newbies because it'd be much harder for them to create any kind of bond with anyone. As odd as it may sound, I feel very close to about 6 or 7 of the people I chat with on here......and I've physically only met 1 of them. I'm hoping to meet more of them in the future.....but if we didn't chat like we do on this board I probably wouldn't have gotten to know these fellow "Disneyphiles".

That's just my 2 cents.

[Goofyluver]

Ya' know...I'm not one of the more frequent posters back here in the G&L forum. I'm one of those political posters over on the CB.

With the change in policy here on the DIS, those discussions are no longer allowed. Fine. If you're a member of a board, rules must be followed or you can move yourself along.

If we begin to now put restrictions on THIS board (such as the ones you have suggested), what then distinguishes this place from any of the other boards here on the DIS?

As members of the LGBT community...surely we understand the importance of the camaraderie, support, and sharing of like experiences within our walls. Or do we no longer place value on such things?

P.S.-I type this from my hotel room in WDW. A trip I meticulously planned over the past several months here on the DIS. In my downtime, between planning, I came back here to this forum for laughs and to watch all these posters in all their glory. What an amazing group of people. Some may even say some o' these folks are quite fabulous.

[jamieandben]

FYI: I am speaking here only as a DIS'er, not as a moderator in the following statements.

The recent DIS policy changes that disallow discussions of politics and religion have caused a lot of people to reconsider their role here on the DIS. Many have decided to stick around full or part-time, others have just stopped posting, and still others have found new messageboards to call home. There isn't anything wrong with the choices that people are making. It's a free country and if you don't like how things are going for you here, then it's 100% your perogative to do what you feel is best for you. I have been doing quite a bit of thinking on the topic too in terms of my role as a DIS'er who is a part of the GLBT community.

Originally, this area of the DIS was intended to be a safe area for the GLBT community to gather to plan their trips to Disney resorts. I felt that this board had become too social, before I ever became a moderator here. There is just so much silliness, which is just too much for some people. It has been really difficult for us to keep the threads on topic, and I do know that I am guilty of doing it too. Really though, I can't imagine how the newbies must feel. Personally, I worry that we are not doing all that we could be doing with this forum. We have a wonderful group of people here who have a wide variety of Disney park experience that we could be and should be sharing. This doesn't mean that social and GLBT community issue threads should not be allowed, as long as they follow DISboard guidelines. I just feel that the main focus of the group should be tipped back towards being more of a trip planning oriented space rather than being more of a social space.

Is it time for this forum to make a change in direction? Feel free to post your thoughts. I am just putting this out there to see if others feel the same way and are willing to work to take us in that direction.

Thanks for reading this. :goodvibes


Sorry but to me you're the one that sounds unhappy with this board.
Maybe you need to start a GLBT TRIP PLANNING Thread or find a serious GLBT Board to join.

[rpmdfw]

IIt's not a planning board for me, never has been. I may not feel much of a part of the community here, but I do recognize that one exists.

You're kidding right?

I've always thought of you as one of the people whose posts I look foward to reading!

You're definitely a part of this community. And to me, at least, and important one!

As are many of the rest of you. Heck, MOST of the rest of you. I've made friends here. Friends I wouldn't have if we'd stuck to the topics around planning trips to Disney.

As for concerns about newbies not being able to find their way around our silliness, I don't see it. We're always very welcoming and helpful to new posters. We offer them help and encourage them to get involved. We answer their questions, and most imporantly we CARE. We want to help them have the best experience possible, here on the boards AND on their vacation.

My perspective is that many, many more people have come forward after reading our silly ramblings and said something like "I've been lurking here for a while, and you all seem like a friendly welcoming group, so I've decided to start posting." That makes me smile. EVERY single time it happens.

I think about kenman who was terrified of being gay and was close to killing himself. He asked us for our help because we were off topic, talking about a TV movie. If we'd limited our conversation to a smaller number of topics, he'd never have reached out for our help. That's a scary thought to me.

And once people have FOUND us, then they can ask questions about planning a Disney trip and benefit from our experience. If we've all drifted off to other parts of the iternet because we can't have our fun here, then they don't benefit from our being here so they can ask.

I think our forum works well as it is. It's not broken, it doesn't need fixing.

[padalyn]

I think our forum works well as it is. It's not broken, it doesn't need fixing.

Well said.

When I was a "newbie" and when my hunny introduced me to the dis I found a group of folks here on the GLBT board that weren't hung up on the daily details of life - they are irreverent (love it!) out going (excellent!) and generally a welcoming group.

I have had the fortune of meeting a few folks from the dis, in fact I was on the TA cruise that had ove 300 Dis'ers. Many have stayed in touch and that thread is alive. But somehow, this is the forum that is my home page for the dis.

I like the joking around, yea, sometimes the threads get hijacked. But, if one is in a conversation with a group IRL the conversation migrates around as well. If it stays on ONE topic and only ONE topic it becomes dull.

Please, don't say we need "adjusting" we are just fine - we like who we are.

And we like you too! Just the way you are.

[mykidsintow]

Not really my business... I mean I am "only" a CSP....

I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the ongoing craziness/fun. I love it! Its great and its what brings the sense of community. As said above... if its planning, this isn't my place. I read the DISabilities board (of course), but I am not really active on the DISabilites community board... I don't fit there (and that is a completely separate story, and more personal). I have loved being here since I popped over. Certainly I am not loved by all, but who cares. I got over popularity in middle school. I certainly still adore it :).

Also as said above.... setting rules is going to completely change the community built...

Should it change? No..... not in my opinion.

[OrlandoMike]

As soon as limitations and/or rules with specifications are introduced after the board has been around for awhile, people start to leave or just post less often. That's just an observation I've made throughout the years.

I am fried both physically an mentally, thanks to work, but I have to say something here.

Yes the Dis in general has some new rules. But I really don't see how that has any impact on our forum. The new rules are no "political or religious debate". When is the last time we talked Politics or Religion? Yes we share information concerning laws that concern our community occasionally, but we never debate....do we?

Please don't stop posting here because you feel you are loosing some sort of freedom of speech! It's the same forum, same people, same topics, same silly fun! If someone does cross the line, Lindy and I will take care of it via a friendly reminder, that's all.

Now I'm off to a well deserved adult beverage! :thumbsup2

[SFBayDon]

Hey Mike next time I am in town the drink is on me. After all these changes and recent changes you are probably ready for a stiff drink.

Hang in there

Don

[NHdisneylover]

Well, I am with the majority here; I would be terrilby saddened to see this board become "just" a planning board. It is the friendship, silliness and funny slant on life that makes this board so appealing to this girl:goodvibes Like mykidsintow I am straight, but I still think it is part of my business because this is by far the most welcoming and friendly board on the DIS and you have all made me feel like a part of it. (not picking on you mykidsintow--I know what you meant--just adding to show how welcoming and not intimidating this group is)

Honestly, when I see a "planning" question posted by a new poster or an old friend I have ALWAYS seen the person get real, serious answers first thing and the silliness follows along later (sometime still within a page or two, but the answer is there first). Actually, if we weren't all checking in here nearly daily to "hang out" with our friends, many of those planning questions would go much longer without answers or have much less input because we might never see them at all (I wouldn't read much here if it were PLANNING only, or even planning mostly).

I also have to tell DVC~OKW~96 that I have always seen you as very much ha part of this board. I have certainly noticed your posts both here and on the CB--you are far from invisible:hug:(and I like seeing you post, of course:upsidedow)

[NHdisneylover]

I am fried both physically an mentally, thanks to work, but I have to say something here.

Yes the Dis in general has some new rules. But I really don't see how that has any impact on our forum. The new rules are no "political or religious debate". When is the last time we talked Politics or Religion? Yes we share information concerning laws that concern our community occasionally, but we never debate....do we?

Please don't stop posting here because you feel you are loosing some sort of freedom of speech! It's the same forum, same people, same topics, same silly fun! If someone does cross the line, Lindy and I will take care of it via a friendly reminder, that's all.

Now I'm off to a well deserved adult beverage! :thumbsup2

Mike I am sure it has been a terrifically hard week for you. You deserve the drink of your choice (or 5) for sure.

I hold no malice towards you (nor any other moderator) but I do disagree with the new policy. Silencing serious discussions by everyone because a few people were intentionally baiting and rude is just not right in my view (it seems like in the end the bullies win because they get to make everyone else stop posting becasue of their antics)--but I don't get to decide and that is okay.
I do feel I have to respond to this though. I cannot remember ever (before the new rules) comming to this board and not seeing at least one and usually 2-3 threads on the first page that would now not be allowed. Weren't two threads locked from the first page here when the new rules took effect? (comming back to edit and say I did see the post explaining WHY they were locked and it makes lots of sense. I am not complaining about that--just pointing out that such threads have been here pretty often and recetly) I don't remember things getting out of hand or contentious (mostly everybody was on more or less the same wave length) but discussion did happen and I think it was nice to have a "safe" place to share our ideas about politics which more directly impact the GLBT community. Maybe I am misunderstanding the new rules. Can we still "share information regarding laws which concern our community" and our feelings about them if it does not turn in to a heated debate? I was under the impression we could not:confused3 Please know I am not trying to badger you (or any mod) I am just really and truly confused--it seems like the new rules are open to many differing interpretations, the more often I see a mod post on the rules the more confused I seem to become. Maybe I am just a dunce!

[Holly]

I never said no silliness, just maybe less of it. Less hijacking threads taking them in 15 different directions. I am not trying to dictate policy with this post, rather I am attempting to access the needs of the newbies, lurkers, and regular posters. Personally, I would love to see this be more of a planning space where the people of the GLBT community can plan trips with their BF, GF, SO, and/or kids & family without intolerance.

Thank you for the clarification. :)


I think that other than the occasional LGBTQ planning specific question, the board would be slow if this were the new direction and that would be a shame. After all, where else could I talk about my love for Lady Gaga? ;)

I love the fifteen different directions and I've never seen a thread hijack where the OP seemed to mind. That's one of the wonderful things about conversation and it's fun to see where they end up. The worst forums are the ones where the moderators come in and post "stay on topic".

I also think that newbies and lurkers will be just fine. I'm not a frequent poster in this forum, but I always feel welcomed when I jump in and I bet anyone else would too. :goodvibes

[Nauf]

I've been more of a lurker than a poster here but felt I needed to chime in. Please do not change this board! Its such a refreshing break from the rest of the boards. I don't think there's another board that has such a strong sense of community as this one. It would be a shame to see any aspect of it change.

[jkCT]

As for concerns about newbies not being able to find their way around our silliness, I don't see it. We're always very welcoming and helpful to new posters. We offer them help and encourage them to get involved. We answer their questions, and most imporantly we CARE. We want to help them have the best experience possible, here on the boards AND on their vacation.

My perspective is that many, many more people have come forward after reading our silly ramblings and said something like "I've been lurking here for a while, and you all seem like a friendly welcoming group, so I've decided to start posting." That makes me smile. EVERY single time it happens.



Yes! Speaking as a lurker extraordinaire, I started reading this board every day because of the general silliness and fun on your wedding planning thread. I wouldn't change a thing! (So smile! :thumbsup2 )

[jlewisinsyr]

Community is what you make of it...

If our one of our own mods is struggling with the change of direction this forum has had, along with the change in direction they themselves are struggling, I don't have much hope that larger "changes" are going to be either imposed or put forth.

I don't often speak up in these forums, more often I attempt to help people, however I did about the recent change in regards to the politics and religion. Will the change prevent me from posting, no, because there is still some valuable resources, but the change has forced me to reconsider my decision to sponsor it, and use their auxillory services through weblinks.

[wallyb]

Well this is a bummer of a way to start the day. :guilty:

[jenn&nelsonrego]

Not really my business... I mean I am "only" a CSP....

I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the ongoing craziness/fun. I love it! Its great and its what brings the sense of community. As said above... if its planning, this isn't my place. I read the DISabilities board (of course), but I am not really active on the DISabilites community board... I don't fit there (and that is a completely separate story, and more personal). I have loved being here since I popped over. Certainly I am not loved by all, but who cares. I got over popularity in middle school. I certainly still adore it :).

Also as said above.... setting rules is going to completely change the community built...

Should it change? No..... not in my opinion.

I don't really come to the DIS for planning... :eek:

I started coming here because of a cruise meet thread last summer. I popped on over here and was immediately welcomed into Rob's Virtual Shower... I like it here b/c of the silliness and friendliness. I love the way that I was accepted as a part of your community even though I am straight.

I continue to come to the DIS (nearly daily after my brief hiatus) because of Wally, Rosie, Rob, Mike, and everyone else I am forgetting to mention. :flower3: I really have no other need for it right now. I am sorry if that upsets some people, but that is how I feel.

I like our little community the way it is and if people are going to start feeling like they cannot be themselves or talk about what is going on in their lives with their online friends then I am afraid that this forum may very well die out. :sad2:

[Saxton]

Sorry, but I agree with everyone else. The hijacking and general silliness is what makes this board special. I don’t get to post as often as I would like but I was around when it all started from a simple thread posted by Viki - that thread began as trip planning but quickly moved into other areas and yet questions were answered and information was provided. That thread brought so many of us ‘out’ on the DIS and gave us a place to have some fun. Now we have a home where we can talk about weddings, children, work and anything else that comes up and because of that we have a community.

Connections aren’t just built by talking about trips, they are built by knowing people - seeing the struggles they go through in life and sharing the joys. I love hearing about Beth’s kids, Rob & Louie’s weddings, everyone’s gardens in the summer and even what cocktails people are having after a rough day. I don’t agree with the new policies on politics and religion but I’ll follow them. If this board restricts posting and tries to control the flow of threads then I think most of us will disappear and that would be a shame. I think the fact that we have so many straight folks who hang out here shows what an amazing place it is.

[soulmates]

Yes, I too have to agree with the majority here. It's the friendliness, the silliness if you will, that makes me feel APART of this group. I've had the honor of meeting an amazing couple here, on THIS board and we've developed a great friendship. We joke, that DISNEY truely brought us together! :hug: When I was "NEW" to this particular board, I felt immediatly welcomed! I love the honesty, openess and yes, the silliness of it all. It's what makes coming here, a joy. I hope things don't change too drastic, just my thoughts...;)

[mikelan6]

Please don't change a thing. I like the GLBT boards as they are. I peek in every once in a while and look around and post every once in a while. I like the diversity and the fun.

The people in the Podcast forum don't always talk about podcast related topics. They talk about things they saw on TV, events that are happening in their lives, etc.

I also just took a peek at the Teen boards and they also talk about many different topics - not just Disney.

At least for me, Disney is so much a part of my life that it sneaks in to everything I do. Heck, when I visited Barcelona, I thought that a shrine on top of a mountain was really Cinderella Castle!!! I'm sure that Disney will still have an important place in the GLBT boards no matter what we talk about.

P.S. - Did I also mention that I love going on cable cars wherever I go to remind me of the Skyway at the Disney parks???

[wallyb]

I was not going to weigh in on this ...
but being a visual and conceptual person
(That's what I do for a living)
this seems to sum up my fellings on this topic...
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f241/wallyb3/nc.jpg

[mikelan6]

this seems to sum up my fellings on this topic...
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f241/wallyb3/nc.jpg

Well said!

[zeitzeuge]

Grab a cup of coffee. Begin rant:

When I first came here to DIS and found that there was a LGBT forum, I was excited to find like minded people who I could talk all things Disney. I quickly noticed that actual Disney talk is probably about 20% of the threads on here is all. The rest are fluff and general sillyness, with the occasional serious personal topic or news of the day.

I will admit that I was sort of put off in the beginning. Where was all the Disney talk on the Disney forums? I then realized we can't talk Disney all the time and I found myself going to the actual Disneyland forum and chatting/posting with the members over there regarding trips, ideas, favorite Disney this or that. All Disney related. I get my fill of those sort of topics over there. Here? I'm getting to know people and have fun. It's a bonus when I can talk Disney with my LBGT brothers and sisters. :)

Althought I DO understand what you're (OP) saying, we as a group have such a family/friend dynamic that it's a refreshing way to meet people, have some fun, be silly and yes, even talk about Disney once in a while when the opportunity comes up.

The only thing that I can see when I was a newbie (am I no longer a newbie?), was that due to the close, tight knit family that is already well established here, it's very hard to break in to be seen and heard. You have to squeeze your way in, post numerous times, make yourself known to be noticed. Luckily, I can be loud and obnoxious and way to silly sometimes, so that helps. :) I will say though, everyone here is always friendly to newbies, which is so welcoming.

Just a suggestion: I wonder if there would be a way, that within the GLBT forum, that it could be divided into two sub catagories to choose from. Disney Discussion and General Discussion. That way, depending on your mood or what you want to talk about, you have two areas to dive into.

I'm just happy that as a group, any of us can come here and say what we want and speak our mind, without anyone resorting to lynch mob tactics like I've seen on other forums. We respect each others opinions and keep it civil.

I like that about here.

End Rant.

[OrlandoMike]

Grab a cup of coffee. Begin rant

Cream and Sugar here please, I'm getting updates via texts and phone calls about who is getting the axe today at Disney....

And lets just say the axe is flying! :sad2:

[rpmdfw]

Cream and Sugar here please, I'm getting updates via texts and phone calls about who is getting the axe today at Disney....

And lets just say the axe is flying! :sad2:

Yeah. Including a couple friends of mine. :guilty:

[Uncle Remus]

Cream and Sugar here please, I'm getting updates via texts and phone calls about who is getting the axe today at Disney....

And lets just say the axe is flying! :sad2:

:sad1:

Sad state of affairs. :sad2:

[OrlandoMike]

:sad1:

Sad state of affairs. :sad2:

Not necessarily!

Lets just say in the food and beverage area, things may improve......:rolleyes1

[Uncle Remus]

Not necessarily!

Lets just say in the food and beverage area, things may improve......:rolleyes1


I've heard when one door closes, another opens. ;)

[OrlandoMike]

I've heard when one door closes, another opens. ;)

I've heard when one globalized menu closes, a new, fresh, inspired one opens! :thumbsup2

[ChrizJen]

I have to agree with most here who have said that we should keep our forum the way it is. I don't think anyone is harmed when a thread gets pulled in silly directions. They're entertaining to read, and keep people coming over here. And I think the more people we can have visiting (and revisiting) our forum, the more people will see that we're normal (well, most of us anyway ;) ) people, just like them. And isn't that the point?

I've always felt that this was a place where we can be who we are, without the scrutiny of those who don't want us around. Sure there are plenty of folks on our forum who come here seeking advice about planning a trip, and I think they're well accomodated when it comes to that.

But more important than anything to ME is that this has been a place where I can laugh and cry and share the wonderful, not so wonderful, and downright terrifying and heartbreaking things that happen in our day to day lives. There have been times when, if I hadn't had this place and all of its wonderful people to dump my troubles onto, I probably would have gone crazy. It's sad for me to say, but there is no way I could have felt comfortable sharing our family's story with the Community Board. Don't get me wrong, there are MANY people who post over there (CSP's) with whom I've become close. But the reality is that there are many more who would have been disrespectful and hurtful with their words had I shared my story there.


So I say we're doing just fine over here. :thumbsup2

And quite honestly, the only reason I usually don't join in a lot of the silly bantering? I don't feel witty enough to hang with some of this crowd. :rolleyes1 You'd all leave me in a cloud of your dust of collective witty-ness. ;)


ETA: I hadn't read for enough to see the posts on the sad happenings at Disney. :grouphug: to those affected, and all I can really offer is just hang in there. We'll get through this downturn like we have in the past...you know that whole "That which does not kill us..." deal. It's sad to hear such things coming out of the happiest place on earth though. :guilty:

[Uncle Remus]

I've heard when one globalized menu closes, a new, fresh, inspired one opens! :thumbsup2

With new fresh cocktails. :teeth:


And in regards to the other topic at hand in this thread, I guess I'm confused right now.
I've never found this place to be controversial in the least, course, y'all know me. :lmao:

[yasuern]

First - CSP here.(okay Cool may be a stretch)


Okay so on the gay lesbian boards you(the boards) want no mention of religion/politics - Okay sure - then please tell the disabilities board to stop talking about their struggles either their own or a loved one and while on the topic tell the WISH board to stop talking about diets and exercise - and don't even get me started on that coping and compassion board:confused3



There are trip planning boards and then on the Dis there are specific boards aimed at specific groups - The Teen board for one - truly what does running up your thread count have to do with trip palnning or Disney??


There are issues that touch the very lifes of this demografic(sp) and because ALL that find the Disboards from their love of Disney feel a connection - commomn ground - I feel it makes it easier to discuss bigger issues - issues that should be talked about - I mean isn't the closet door open:hug:



I LOVE the Disboards - I love WDW - And when I feel I can offer insight on any board any topic I will post info or my thoughts( for better or worse).


I feel that something is being taken away - not just in this forum - but the community as a whole:guilty:


Case in point on the camping at Disney board a poster was asking for fellow Disers prayers and then said sorry if its not allowed here anymore:sad1:


Sue:flower3:


Sorry if I have offened anyone as it is NOT my intetion

[dustyraye]

For what it's worth, I can understand where the OP is coming from on a certain level. When I first joined the DIS and found the LGBT board, it was kind of like seeing a group of the cool kids playing an expert round of double-dutch. They look like they are having a great time and it lsure seems like a lot of fun, but you just don't have the faintest idea how to jump in without tripping, and even if you do manage to get in without falling on your face, you have no idea if you could ever keep up.

After a few stumbles (but hopefully without actually landing on my face), I have settled into contented lurkdom, only posting when I really felt like I had something to contribute. I have never felt like a part of the group, but I still find the board interesting and entertaining, even if I may never 'get' many of the inside jokes. (I'm afraid to ask about the goat - and even he has better double-dutch skills than I do.) I enjoy the silliness and banter, and I especially like the fact that that banter is always good-natured.

But what has kept me coming back to this board every day is seeing that same group of folks, who tease each other like grade-school siblings, rally around someone in need, whether it is one of the gang, or a newcomer in pain. That, to me, is what makes this board, and its "regulars," unique and special. There have been days when I have been in tears at my desk, touched by the things that I read here, and it makes me proud to be even a peripheral part of this group.

As someone mentioned in an earlier post, maybe the idea of having a Community Board separate from the general LGBT board wouldn't be a bad idea, so postings by newcomers who have questions or just want to vent about LGBT-related travel issues won't get lost amid the general chatter. (Like my frustration that my travel documents for my upcoming trip arrived last week and my DP was listed throughout them as "Mr." And, no, she doesn't have one of those unisex first names.) But please don't make this board strictly a planning board. It may not always be exactly family-friendly, but I think this board is a 'family' nonetheless, and it is certainly more of a "community" than there seems to be in many Community forums on the web.

[tiggr33]

My two cents. Flame suit on.

First off, I think Lindy took a big chance with her posting, and I for one applaud her for having the brass to do so. I understand what she is saying. I have been on the DIS longer then many here. I think OKW~DVC~96 beats my member number by a few hundred.

Anyway, I for one am tired of the constant innuendo. And think we need to rise above it, if we ever want to change the narrow minded opinions that look upon us and our lives/lifestyles. Maybes its an age thing, maybe it's a stage of life thing, I don't know. But the DIS is not always a welcoming place for me.

I know I am in the minority, but I happen to agree with the global changes put in effect pertaining to politics and religion on the DIS. It got way out of hand. Again maybe becuase I am an 'old timer" on the DIS, I have seen it change over the years (closer to a decade). Not all the changes for the better. But as Mike has said, in the LGBT area when was the last real such heated discussion. Religion and Politics are rarely discussed in this area. The Barney Frank thread was the last one I can think of, and if thats the "worst" we do on politics, the new rules should be a cakewalk for us.

I agree with a PP that stated maybe the LGBT area be divided into a Disney Related and an Off Topic section. Have I talked about issues non-disney related yes (Wii, NCAAW basketball, etc.) Will I continue too yes. But I also have discussed issues relating to LGBT issues as they pertain to Disney. Yes we are lucky to have our own area, where we are free to be ourselves, and discuss issues that relate to us. But bottom lime is the DIS is a family friendly, Disney related site. It is an open forum that anyone (including children) can read. I think sometimes we (collectively not specifically) lose sight of that.

Maybe I am in a minority, but I feel strongly that as a member of the LGBT community, I hold myself to higher public moral standard/decency level (for lack of a better word at the moment), in order to portray our community (LGBT) in a better light. To show that we are not the negative force that many think we are. That is not to say I am in the closet or anything. I am out typically 100%. But there is a time and place for everything. And levels I set for myself and expectations I have for others. If that makes sense.

I understand the driving force behind Lindy's original post. Do I think we need censorship or more moderation, not neccesarily. Do I think we all need to play a bigger role in keeping our area family friendly and comfortable for everyone, yes. As many friendships have been formed here, the opposite also holds true that there are also alienations, and down right unforgettable acts. Again I will agree with the PP who suggested two seperate areas for the LGBT section of the DIS. Ok that was my 2 cents, stepping off my soapbox now.

[wallyb]

dustyraye- I'm an easy target.
Feel free to lob one at my head any time. ;)
I can take it. :flower3:

The more the mary... er :thumbsup2

[Uncle Remus]

Lifestyle. :headache:

What is the gay lifestyle? :confused:

Can we have a gay lifestyle section too? :confused3

[PeterPan09]

You're kidding right?

I've always thought of you as one of the people whose posts I look foward to reading!

You're definitely a part of this community. And to me, at least, and important one!

As are many of the rest of you. Heck, MOST of the rest of you. I've made friends here. Friends I wouldn't have if we'd stuck to the topics around planning trips to Disney.

As for concerns about newbies not being able to find their way around our silliness, I don't see it. We're always very welcoming and helpful to new posters. We offer them help and encourage them to get involved. We answer their questions, and most imporantly we CARE. We want to help them have the best experience possible, here on the boards AND on their vacation.

My perspective is that many, many more people have come forward after reading our silly ramblings and said something like "I've been lurking here for a while, and you all seem like a friendly welcoming group, so I've decided to start posting." That makes me smile. EVERY single time it happens.

I think about kenman who was terrified of being gay and was close to killing himself. He asked us for our help because we were off topic, talking about a TV movie. If we'd limited our conversation to a smaller number of topics, he'd never have reached out for our help. That's a scary thought to me.

And once people have FOUND us, then they can ask questions about planning a Disney trip and benefit from our experience. If we've all drifted off to other parts of the iternet because we can't have our fun here, then they don't benefit from our being here so they can ask.

I think our forum works well as it is. It's not broken, it doesn't need fixing.

As a newbie, I completely agree. Please don't change anything. This is a safe place, where I felt completely comfortable telling my story. I knew, just by reading those silly posts that this was a warm and welcoming community. I've gotten so much help from posters here already, and so many laughs!! I saw how you guys reached out to Kenman, and I knew you would all be there for me. I honestly feel like I have friends here, even though I'm new.

[zeitzeuge]

*sigh*

[DVCajun]

I personally get a kick out of the silliness, even tho I don't typically contribute to it. :goodvibes It seems like the original topic is still in there somewhere, even if there are 2 or 3 pages of silliness in between relevant posts.

I've been around a while too, and I'm kinda over the new emphasis on RULES and changing things that aren't broke.

*sigh* indeed.

[zeitzeuge]

Eh, my *sigh* was more in regards to having what words someone uses or how someone phrases something being picked apart all the time. No wonder the community forums were in an uproar all the time.

I hate feeling like you have to walk on eggshells before you post something on here sometimes.

And yes, a *sigh* about rules too. :)

[dis75ney]

I was not going to weigh in on this ...
but being a visual and conceptual person
(That's what I do for a living)
this seems to sum up my fellings on this topic...
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f241/wallyb3/nc.jpg

New Coke is evil... *shudders at memory of New Coke*

I am a longtime lurker on the GLBT boards, and I have to agree with the majority here. I love this board and all the posters on it. No matter what, whenever I come onto this board, I get a smile on my face. It can be for a number of reasons...a couple winning their fight for their precious foster daughter, someone else getting a part in one of my favorite musicals EVER, a couple celebrating the happiest day of their lives, or just downright frivolity. No matter how bad my day is going, I can pop onto this board and get a smile back on my face in a matter of minutes.

If it's necessary, create a sub-forum regarding GLBT and WDW planning. I have seen threads on this board asking for help in planning a GLBT-friendly trip or for help in planning a Gay Days DIS meet. But if the entire board goes in the direction of trip planning, it loses what is unique and special about it...

Le sigh, indeed...

[bubie2.5]

I think that a change will only make this board less friendly. Right now, this place REALLY is a community, even for those of us on the outside. Sometimes we all need a little silliness, and on the days that we don't, we just have to scroll pass it.

[donald...really]

I have no problem with the silliness, and I have no problem with people posting and discussing non disney things here, but the constant thread hijacking does bother me. I can see where the OP is coming from on that front. So many times I have seen a thread topic that interested me and was excited to see that it was multi pages long, only to find out that after the first three posts the thread had been hijacked and there is nothing in there based on the original topic. Sometimes I have tried to get the thread back on track by posting my thoughts to the original topic, only to have my post ignored and the hijacking continue. I have turned into pretty much of a lurker.

[PghLybrt]

Ok I know that I am the irrational one in the “family”, after all I am a Scorpio. Anyway, I, as you all know, think these new rules are ridiculous. I really try to live my life as out and open as I can but then here I have to be quiet about My girlfriend getting verbally attacked about Gay days by some of her teammates because THAT’S POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS! I think it is a shame that the DIS now wants to shove us back into a virtual closet so we shut up about these things. It is a message board, and if someone could not handle people being nasty they could simply not open a thread or block the person. Now the entire DIS is nothing but silliness. Seriously, I do not care that there are no yellow peeps at target.

[zeitzeuge]

Seriously, I do not care that there are no yellow peeps at target.


WHAT!!!??? Now THAT'S an abomination........

I love me some peeps.

Back to the topic at hand.
Tip your bartenders.
I'm here all week.

[OrlandoMike]

Seriously, I do not care that there are no yellow peeps at target.

:scared1:

[Uncle Remus]

Ok I know that I am the irrational one in the “family”, after all I am a Scorpio. Anyway, I, as you all know, think these new rules are ridiculous. I really try to live my life as out and open as I can but then here I have to be quiet about My girlfriend getting verbally attacked about Gay days by some of her teammates because THAT’S POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS! I think it is a shame that the DIS now wants to shove us back into a virtual closet so we shut up about these things. It is a message board, and if someone could not handle people being nasty they could simply not open a thread or block the person. Now the entire DIS is nothing but silliness. Seriously, I do not care that there are no yellow peeps at target.

Or your lifestyle? :rolleyes1



And on another note:

Words are really important, after all, we get accused of flaunting our "lifestyle" when we go to Disney.

Too bad we all don't think alike, we wouldn't need a message board. http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg245/Kurtz_09/feecfa38.gif

[zeitzeuge]

And people wonder why some want to just lurk........

[PghLybrt]

WHAT!!!??? Now THAT'S an abomination........

I love me some peeps.

Back to the topic at hand.
Tip your bartenders.
I'm here all week.



It was on the CB a few days ago.


The only thing I like about peeps is putting them in the microwave.

[PghLybrt]

Or your lifestyle? :rolleyes1



And on another note:

Words are really important, after all, we get accused of flaunting our "lifestyle" when we go to Disney.

Too bad we all don't think alike, we wouldn't need a message board. http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg245/Kurtz_09/feecfa38.gif


I am sorry? meaning?

[Tony-NJ]

I think I said what the OP said a few days ago. Maybe newbies / lurkers would feel more comfy if this board was under the just for fun forums or something. It's under the trip planning forums however most posts are not about trip planning.

I personally like the forum as is, just maybe put it somewhere else or create a sub board which was suggested above.

I have been at the DIS since there were only 2 or 3 forums ;) and have taken many breaks over the years. I enjoy this board but maybe it should not be labled as a planning board only?

As for the new rules - who cares here on this forum - like Mike said, we never get into those heated debates here.

[Uncle Remus]

Ok I know that I am the irrational one in the “family”, after all I am a Scorpio. Anyway, I, as you all know, think these new rules are ridiculous. I really try to live my life as out and open as I can but then here I have to be quiet about My girlfriend getting verbally attacked about Gay days by some of her teammates because THAT’S POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS! I think it is a shame that the DIS now wants to shove us back into a virtual closet so we shut up about these things. It is a message board, and if someone could not handle people being nasty they could simply not open a thread or block the person. Now the entire DIS is nothing but silliness. Seriously, I do not care that there are no yellow peeps at target.

Or your lifestyle? :rolleyes1



And on another note:

Words are really important, after all, we get accused of flaunting our "lifestyle" when we go to Disney.

Too bad we all don't think alike, we wouldn't need a message board. http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg245/Kurtz_09/feecfa38.gif

I am sorry? meaning?

I agree with you, living your life:
I really try to live my life as out and open as I can but then here I have to be quiet about My girlfriend getting verbally attacked about Gay days by some of her teammates because THAT’S POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS! I think it is a shame that the DIS now wants to shove us back into a virtual closet so we shut up about these things.

I just take it to the point that I'm tired of being told I have to be gay a certain way or I'm flaunting my lifestyle.

What the heck is my "lifetsyle", anyone know? :confused:

[PeterPan09]

Ok I know that I am the irrational one in the “family”, after all I am a Scorpio. Anyway, I, as you all know, think these new rules are ridiculous. I really try to live my life as out and open as I can but then here I have to be quiet about My girlfriend getting verbally attacked about Gay days by some of her teammates because THAT’S POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS! I think it is a shame that the DIS now wants to shove us back into a virtual closet so we shut up about these things. It is a message board, and if someone could not handle people being nasty they could simply not open a thread or block the person. Now the entire DIS is nothing but silliness. Seriously, I do not care that there are no yellow peeps at target.

If talking about gay days is political and religious, then how come the CB has a Bible and a Prayer thread?

I guess I don't really understand the "new" DIS. :confused3

[PghLybrt]

If talking about gay days is political and religious, then how come the CB has a Bible and a Prayer thread?

I guess I don't really understand the "new" DIS. :confused3

And that is where i have issue.

[OrlandoMike]

If talking about gay days is political and religious, then how come the CB has a Bible and a Prayer thread?

I guess I don't really understand the "new" DIS. :confused3

Please feel free to discuss Gay Days ad nauseam over here.

As long as it doesn't turn into a debate about wether or not you believe gay days are good or evil.....and I'm assuming we are all on the same page about this event.:thumbsup2

[PeterPan09]

Please feel free to discuss Gay Days ad nauseam over here.

As long as it doesn't turn into a debate about wether or not you believe gay days are good or evil.....and I'm assuming we are all on the same page about this event.:thumbsup2

I know that we can do that Mike, but I also understand Pooh's concern that by shoving all gay related issues over here a "closet" has been created. "Let's keep all those people on their own thread because they're sinners"

For example, I loved seeing Chris post for advice on the baby over there on the CB. In the "new climate", would that have been considered "political or religious" because that baby is living with 2 women? Judging by what happened to Pooh's GF, yeah, it probably would have.

[Uncle Remus]

We can talk about gay days as long as we don't talk about why folks don't like gays at Disney. ::yes::



And here's another point about language and the use of words, anti-gay folks say Disney is for family, family friendly. :lmao:

[Tony-NJ]

I know that we can do that Mike, but I also understand Pooh's concern that by shoving all gay related issues over here a "closet" has been created. "Let's keep all those people on their own thread because they're sinners"



I truly believe this forum was created so there would be no more "gay" debates on the CB - again why was this placed under trip planning is beyond me. This board was created so most of the hollier than thow folks on the CB wouldn't get ruffled and take their business elsewhere. The DIS after all is a business and that seemed like the number 1 concern. Again, nothing wrong with the way the board is flowing, if only they were upfront about it.

[PeterPan09]

We can talk about gay days as long as we don't talk about why folks don't like gays at Disney. ::yes::



And here's another point about language and the use of words, anti-gay folks say Disney is for family, family friendly. :lmao:

Yes because we all know that the only families are Mommy and Daddy and 2.5 kidlets. :lmao:

I would hope that if a member of our little happy band here has a negative experience anywhere, this would be a place they could come to vent and get support. It seems like it's been that way in the past and I would not like to see that change because of the "new rules"

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Cream and Sugar here please, I'm getting updates via texts and phone calls about who is getting the axe today at Disney....

And lets just say the axe is flying! :sad2:

Yikes. :scared:

Yeah. Including a couple friends of mine. :guilty:

I'm sorry to hear that, Rob. :guilty:

I've heard when one globalized menu closes, a new, fresh, inspired one opens! :thumbsup2

That could be a good thing. :)

Please feel free to discuss Gay Days ad nauseam over here.

As long as it doesn't turn into a debate about wether or not you believe gay days are good or evil.....and I'm assuming we are all on the same page about this event.:thumbsup2

I think we're going to Gay Days next year.

Lindy, I don't know what to say. :confused3 I guess I just always know the threads here will be hijacked, they always are. But I also know that nobody is ever nasty to me here, and newbies are always welcomed and encouraged to join in. I don't have a problem with the way this forum is. :)

[rpmdfw]

I'm sorry to hear that, Rob. :guilty:

Me too. One of them is the very talented lady who designed the Adventurers Club Big Pin (among so many other very wonderful products). Such a shame.:headache:

I think we're going to Gay Days next year.


You'll love it! It's so much fun! :yay:

[kingLouiethe1]

Wow! What happens when you disappear for a few days.

Frankly I didn't take the time to read every post on this thread, but I think I caught the gist.

I'm sorry T&P, but what you consider a "change in direction" sounds to me more like more rules to get a result most people don't really want.

Frankly, there's not enough gay people on here going on trips to Disney World and participating constantly enough to keep this going as a trip planning only thread, in fact I think that would kill the board.

Whenever someone does start a trip planning thread it flourishes, as we are all happy to hear about an upcoming Disney vacation, but I think this thread also lets us show to each other and everyone else that we are so much more than just Disney fans. If the threads occasionally run off the rails, they usually manage to hop right back on, like the way everyone has forgotten by now how Rob killed Elmo.

[rpmdfw]

If the threads occasionally run off the rails, they usually manage to hop right back on, like the way everyone has forgotten by now how Rob killed Elmo.

I WAS FRAMED, I TELL YOU! FRAMED!

:rotfl2:

[PeterPan09]

Wow! What happens when you disappear for a few days.

Frankly I didn't take the time to read every post on this thread, but I think I caught the gist.

I'm sorry T&P, but what you consider a "change in direction" sounds to me more like more rules to get a result most people don't really want.

Frankly, there's not enough gay people on here going on trips to Disney World and participating constantly enough to keep this going as a trip planning only thread, in fact I think that would kill the board.

Whenever someone does start a trip planning thread it flourishes, as we are all happy to hear about an upcoming Disney vacation, but I think this thread also lets us show to each other and everyone else that we are so much more than just Disney fans. If the threads occasionally run off the rails, they usually manage to hop right back on, like the way everyone has forgotten by now how Rob killed Elmo.

:scared1:

[rosiep]

The only direction I see these boards going in that I don't like is they're being micro managed.

I was a newbie here once. I found this board to be welcoming, informative and irreverent...and I loved it.
I have started threads regarding shoes, Aids Walk, monkeys and my daughter's health. I have participated in threads about everything else under the sun.
These days the talk is serious and somber and the threads all seem to revolve around what we're doing WRONG. I never thought there was anything wrong here...only a great community of people who shared themselves and their lives.

[padalyn]

I've gotten up from my day's sleep - imagine....pages and pages WOW!

Most seem to think we don't need any change (myself included in my earlier post). What I am now thinking (oops - changing on my opinion, or at least modifying it)

We do need to split this forum, it seems like we may need a GLBT community forum, and a GLBT planning forum. Maybe a new heading altogther?

I agree with Tiggr33 that the threads get hijacked way too often, and many times with the same stuff. I think our moderators have their hands full keeping us on topic. (guilty here - having contributed to this myself).

Some one (Donald_Really I think) else mentioned that a topic seemed interesting, but it was 3 posts in and off on something completely irrelivant never to return to the original topic. Which is a shame, since the topic MAY have been of interest to some of us. I have found myself just ignoring whole threads when this happens, even tho the topic was one I would like to have read about or contributed to myself.

Unfortunately this is the job of the moderator to tell the hijackers that they need to return to topic, I understand how it happens, but those that continously do it need to realize they are doing it.

By making a sweeping change to this board are we "punishing the masses for the sins of a few"???

As Tiggr33 said - Lindy I am glad you posted this thread - it got us all talking and staying on point about one topic that is important to all of us.

<bracing for a blast or two>

[Uncle Remus]

The only direction I see these boards going in that I don't like is they're being micro managed.

I was a newbie here once. I found this board to be welcoming, informative and irreverent...and I loved it.
I have started threads regarding shoes, Aids Walk, monkeys and my daughter's health. I have participated in threads about everything else under the sun.
These days the talk is serious and somber and the threads all seem to revolve around what we're doing WRONG. I never thought there was anything wrong here...only a great community of people who shared themselves and their lives.

Ah, the good ol' days. :goodvibes

[starann]

The only direction I see these boards going in that I don't like is they're being micro managed.

I was a newbie here once. I found this board to be welcoming, informative and irreverent...and I loved it.
I have started threads regarding shoes, Aids Walk, monkeys and my daughter's health. I have participated in threads about everything else under the sun.
These days the talk is serious and somber and the threads all seem to revolve around what we're doing WRONG. I never thought there was anything wrong here...only a great community of people who shared themselves and their lives.

I am another of the CSP (I think the C part?). I did not come to this part of the board for some vacation planning help. But I am not gay, so I don't need the guidence someone who is gay might need with trip planning. I came here for the silliness and kinship. This seems to be the only board that people can disagree and be ok, not turn it into personal attacks (now if it was an outsider, that was a different story).


I come here after a bad day, to laugh at the antics, it's really an escape for me from the reality of my life.

[DVCajun]

We do need to split this forum, it seems like we may need a GLBT community forum, and a GLBT planning forum. Maybe a new heading altogther?


This board isn't *active* enough to split! I keep regular tabs on this board, and the new posts rarely take up half the first page after an entire day!

And Rosiep -- ditto on the micromanaging. :rolleyes:

[Saxton]

Based on the overwhelming sentiment to keep things as they are I’m wondering what the reason was for this suggestion. Have there been complaints (about Rosie)? I know we all kid around a lot but for the most part we behave (well, except for Rosie). There’s no benefit to micromanaging so I wonder what caused this (what did Rosie do)? If there were complaints is there anything we can do (hide Rosie’s keyboard)?
Obviously I’m kidding (except about the Rosie stuff) … I’m just trying to find some humor in this.

[jamieandben]

The only direction I see these boards going in that I don't like is they're being micro managed.

I was a newbie here once. I found this board to be welcoming, informative and irreverent...and I loved it.
I have started threads regarding shoes, Aids Walk, monkeys and my daughter's health. I have participated in threads about everything else under the sun.
These days the talk is serious and somber and the threads all seem to revolve around what we're doing WRONG. I never thought there was anything wrong here...only a great community of people who shared themselves and their lives.

:thumbsup2

[Uncle Remus]

Well, as a former administrator of a very hot political board, I got 2 things to say.

1. Many things are true at the same time.

2. Ya can't make everyone happy at the same time.

Wait, make that 3:
3. I'm goin' to Disney. :woohoo:

[kingLouiethe1]

Based on the overwhelming sentiment to keep things as they are I’m wondering what the reason was for this suggestion. Have there been complaints (about Rosie)? I know we all kid around a lot but for the most part we behave (well, except for Rosie). There’s no benefit to micromanaging so I wonder what caused this (what did Rosie do)? If there were complaints is there anything we can do (hide Rosie’s keyboard)?
Obviously I’m kidding (except about the Rosie stuff) … I’m just trying to find some humor in this.

I say we make Rosie walk around with a large Scarlet Letter "A" on her chest. I would suggest "T" for troublemaker, but Rosie never learned the rest of the alphabet and we don't want her to feel bad, do we :confused3

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Howdy! I am going to address the posts that I feel need addressing over the course of several posts because there are a lot of things that I do feel need a response. Sadly, there's this thing called a job that requires that I show up and actually work for a paycheck. That job things seriously cuts down on my DIS time. :rolleyes1 At the end of all of this, maybe it will all make a bit more sense and maybe we as a group will actually grow a little from these discussions.

I don't need a special GLBT board to plan a trip to Disney. :) I have been a member of the DIS for years. I haven't ever posted too terribly much, as I've never felt really welcome here. This board is not really all that different. :)

I feel invisible for the most part. No big deal, it just is. I stop by and post because I still want to feel a part of the LBGT community here on the DIS. I like knowing that there is a board where Disney loving LGBT folk hang out.
(snip)
Need a new direction? Not as far as I can see.

:confused3 Are you sure that there isn't something that we could do here that would make you feel like your voice was being heard and that you were an integral part of the group?

(snip)If we begin to now put restrictions on THIS board (such as the ones you have suggested), what then distinguishes this place from any of the other boards here on the DIS?

As members of the LGBT community...surely we understand the importance of the camaraderie, support, and sharing of like experiences within our walls. Or do we no longer place value on such things?

One thing that currently makes this board different is that the threads rarely are kept on topic. It's part of the DIS guidelines that threads are supposed to stay on topic. It's important, especially for newbies, to feel that they are not being "shouted down with silliness". Everyone's topic should be treated with respect and the discussion should be allowed to continue on topic until the thread reaches it's inevitable conclusion.

I see this as a community building idea because if the discussion is allowed to continue, it's going to help bring forth new ideas and points of view that will allow us all to learn more about each other and from each other. It's part of sharing as a community and that's very important, especially when the time comes when one of us needs support from the group.

Sorry but to me you're the one that sounds unhappy with this board.
Maybe you need to start a GLBT TRIP PLANNING Thread or find a serious GLBT Board to join.

I am not so much unhappy as I am frustrated with the issue of thread hijacking. I bleed lime green, the DIS is my home. I don't feel the need to play in more than one sandbox on a daily basis. I do however feel that as a moderator, I must force myself to think of the good of all of the members of the group and not just the vocal majority.

I am fried both physically an mentally, thanks to work, but I have to say something here.

Yes the Dis in general has some new rules. But I really don't see how that has any impact on our forum. The new rules are no "political or religious debate". When is the last time we talked Politics or Religion? Yes we share information concerning laws that concern our community occasionally, but we never debate....do we?

Please don't stop posting here because you feel you are loosing some sort of freedom of speech! It's the same forum, same people, same topics, same silly fun! If someone does cross the line, Lindy and I will take care of it via a friendly reminder, that's all.

Now I'm off to a well deserved adult beverage! :thumbsup2

:confused: Um, Mike, did you even read the OP?
You are in serious need of an adult beverage or three or four. :cool1: Yes, this forum is going to be essentially the same content, but I was asking about if the posters felt any desire to tip to focus towards planning rather than 90% silly stuff.

***********************************************

End of comments on posts 1-15. More to come.....I know, you can't wait. :laughing:

[PghLybrt]

Well, as a former administrator of a very hot political board, I got 2 things to say.

1. Many things are true at the same time.

2. Ya can't make everyone happy at the same time.

Wait, make that 3:
3. I'm goin' to Disney. :woohoo:

#3---- NOT FAIR!!! I have to wait until November!!!

[Goofyluver]

Howdy! I am going to address the posts that I feel need addressing over the course of several posts because there are a lot of things that I do feel need a response. Sadly, there's this thing called a job that requires that I show up and actually work for a paycheck. That job things seriously cuts down on my DIS time. :rolleyes1 At the end of all of this, maybe it will all make a bit more sense and maybe we as a group will actually grow a little from these discussions.



:confused3 Are you sure that there isn't something that we could do here that would make you feel like your voice was being heard and that you were an integral part of the group?



One thing that currently makes this board different is that the threads rarely are kept on topic. It's part of the DIS guidelines that threads are supposed to stay on topic. It's important, especially for newbies, to feel that they are not being "shouted down with silliness". Everyone's topic should be treated with respect and the discussion should be allowed to continue on topic until the thread reaches it's inevitable conclusion.

I see this as a community building idea because if the discussion is allowed to continue, it's going to help bring forth new ideas and points of view that will allow us all to learn more about each other and from each other. It's part of sharing as a community and that's very important, especially when the time comes when one of us needs support from the group.



I am not so much unhappy as I am frustrated with the issue of thread hijacking. I bleed lime green, the DIS is my home. I don't feel the need to play in more than one sandbox on a daily basis. I do however feel that as a moderator, I must force myself to think of the good of all of the members of the group and not just the vocal majority.



:confused: Um, Mike, did you even read the OP?
You are in serious need of an adult beverage or three or four. :cool1: Yes, this forum is going to be essentially the same content, but I was asking about if the posters felt any desire to tip to focus towards planning rather than 90% silly stuff.

***********************************************

End of comments on posts 1-15. More to come.....I know, you can't wait. :laughing:

I see threads go off topic on every forum on the DIS. As I said before, although I'm not a frequent poster back here in the G&L forum, I'm definitely not new to the DIS. Those political threads over on the CB were my home and I'm sad to see them go. Those threads may start off speaking on gay marriage and end up shifting to gardening in the nude. That's what happens on message boards, conversations wax and wane.

I've never seen a thread back here in the G&L forum, where a poster asked for help, and everyone didn't immediately pile in and offer up whatever assistance/advice that they could. That's what is great about our community. We support each other. Here on the DIS. And out in the "real world"...away from these here message boards.

I said it in my last post, and I'll say it again...what a great group of posters we've got here. I wouldn't change a thing about this place. Y'all are all too fabulous. :upsidedow

[rosiep]

Based on the overwhelming sentiment to keep things as they are I’m wondering what the reason was for this suggestion. Have there been complaints (about Rosie)? I know we all kid around a lot but for the most part we behave (well, except for Rosie). There’s no benefit to micromanaging so I wonder what caused this (what did Rosie do)? If there were complaints is there anything we can do (hide Rosie’s keyboard)?
Obviously I’m kidding (except about the Rosie stuff) … I’m just trying to find some humor in this.

Who me?

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I love the fifteen different directions and I've never seen a thread hijack where the OP seemed to mind. That's one of the wonderful things about conversation and it's fun to see where they end up. The worst forums are the ones where the moderators come in and post "stay on topic".

I also think that newbies and lurkers will be just fine. I'm not a frequent poster in this forum, but I always feel welcomed when I jump in and I bet anyone else would too. :goodvibes

My concern is that some people here are just too nice to say that they are frustrated about thread hijacking out in the open forum, but they will PM a moderator about it in a NY minute. If I get PM's from people that are frustrated about it that have been on the DIS for years and newbies, then it's an issue. While anyone can and should feel welcome to jump right in, it's not always easy for new people to feel welcome when their original topic is lost after just a few posts to the thread.

Community is what you make of it...

If our one of our own mods is struggling with the change of direction this forum has had, along with the change in direction they themselves are struggling, I don't have much hope that larger "changes" are going to be either imposed or put forth.

I don't often speak up in these forums, more often I attempt to help people, however I did about the recent change in regards to the politics and religion. Will the change prevent me from posting, no, because there is still some valuable resources, but the change has forced me to reconsider my decision to sponsor it, and use their auxillory services through weblinks.

My struggle with the direction that the DIS has taken things has been discussed and more or less handled outside of the public boards. My concerns for this board in particular have been dealt with and Mike and I are in agreement as to how we are handling the issue of politics and religion as it pertains to this board. My current concerns for this board are more based on the status quo vs the potential need to change a few things up to make even the far less vocal minority of the board feel welcome and more integrated into the community that this board serves.

As to your decision about using the DIS links to visit the sponsors of the DIS, that's 100% your perogative. Personally, I have never liked clicking links. If I want to go to a site, I do so directly or via a search engine, like Dogpile that donates money to causes that I support too.

I like our little community the way it is and if people are going to start feeling like they cannot be themselves or talk about what is going on in their lives with their online friends then I am afraid that this forum may very well die out. :sad2:

People will always be welcome to discuss their hopes, struggles, dreams, and daily life stuff on this board. I don't see this forum dying anytime soon unless people find a new sandbox to play in. Over time, if you hang out on a message board long enough, you will see that people come and go. You hate to see most of them go, but we are all adults and make our own choices. Life is too short for internet drama. ;)

The hijacking and general silliness is what makes this board special. (snip) If this board restricts posting and tries to control the flow of threads then I think most of us will disappear and that would be a shame. I think the fact that we have so many straight folks who hang out here shows what an amazing place it is.

I really don't think that actually keeping threads on topic is going to drive anyone away. If someone wants a random tangent thread, then start one and keep posting on any silly old thing. I can completely support that idea. However, for the purpose of keeping some sort of order, we should attempt keep other threads on topic to allow for topical discussions to fully emerge. It's a level of respect that every poster here should be able to expect.

And yes, we do have a lot of straight people hanging out here. The CSP are a wonderful part of this board. However, I do worry that as a community some of the silliness isn't sending out the wrong impression of our community as a whole. We have a few teenaged posters and I am sure that some children read this board. We should really work on trying to put our best foot forward. IMO

Grab a cup of coffee. Begin rant:

When I first came here to DIS and found that there was a LGBT forum, I was excited to find like minded people who I could talk all things Disney. I quickly noticed that actual Disney talk is probably about 20% of the threads on here is all. The rest are fluff and general sillyness, with the occasional serious personal topic or news of the day.

I will admit that I was sort of put off in the beginning. Where was all the Disney talk on the Disney forums? I then realized we can't talk Disney all the time and I found myself going to the actual Disneyland forum and chatting/posting with the members over there regarding trips, ideas, favorite Disney this or that. All Disney related. I get my fill of those sort of topics over there. Here? I'm getting to know people and have fun. It's a bonus when I can talk Disney with my LBGT brothers and sisters. :)

Althought I DO understand what you're (OP) saying, we as a group have such a family/friend dynamic that it's a refreshing way to meet people, have some fun, be silly and yes, even talk about Disney once in a while when the opportunity comes up.

The only thing that I can see when I was a newbie (am I no longer a newbie?), was that due to the close, tight knit family that is already well established here, it's very hard to break in to be seen and heard. You have to squeeze your way in, post numerous times, make yourself known to be noticed. Luckily, I can be loud and obnoxious and way to silly sometimes, so that helps. :) I will say though, everyone here is always friendly to newbies, which is so welcoming.

Just a suggestion: I wonder if there would be a way, that within the GLBT forum, that it could be divided into two sub catagories to choose from. Disney Discussion and General Discussion. That way, depending on your mood or what you want to talk about, you have two areas to dive into.

I'm just happy that as a group, any of us can come here and say what we want and speak our mind, without anyone resorting to lynch mob tactics like I've seen on other forums. We respect each others opinions and keep it civil.

I like that about here.

End Rant.

Z-Dude, you are a sweetheart. I appreciate you speaking up. :goodvibes

[jenn&nelsonrego]

What the heck is my "lifetsyle", anyone know? :confused:

The opposite of mine? :confused3 NO, NO, :headache: that does not work at all... The exact same thing as mine... :lovestruc Yup, that is better... :thumbsup2 I don't understand the lifestyle thing either.... (although I think I may have used the term when stuck in the past - sorry Uncle! :sad2:)



If I want to go to a site, I do so directly or via a search engine, like Dogpile that donates money to causes that I support too.



Goodsearch does this too!



P.S. I :love: hijacked threads. Gonna start one now...

[jenn&nelsonrego]

If someone wants a random tangent thread, then start one and keep posting on any silly old thing. I can completely support that idea. However, for the purpose of keeping some sort of order, we should attempt keep other threads on topic to allow for topical discussions to fully emerge. It's a level of respect that every poster here should be able to expect.


:thumbsup2All done! :thumbsup2

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I've always felt that this was a place where we can be who we are, without the scrutiny of those who don't want us around.

And quite honestly, the only reason I usually don't join in a lot of the silly bantering? I don't feel witty enough to hang with some of this crowd. :rolleyes1 You'd all leave me in a cloud of your dust of collective witty-ness. ;)

I am sure that you are not the only one that doesn't feel like they can hang with the "witty crowd". That's why I think that it's a shame that so many threads get pulled off topic so quickly. We are missing out on substance because of the silliness.

I am really glad that you are a part of the board. I have very much enjoyed hearing about your journey as a foster family, well, the recent unpleasantness wasn't any fun to hear about, but it was important that you had a supportive place to share your struggle.


Okay so on the gay lesbian boards you(the boards) want no mention of religion/politics - Okay sure - then please tell the disabilities board to stop talking about their struggles either their own or a loved one and while on the topic tell the WISH board to stop talking about diets and exercise - and don't even get me started on that coping and compassion board:confused3

I feel that something is being taken away - not just in this forum - but the community as a whole:guilty:

Case in point on the camping at Disney board a poster was asking for fellow Disers prayers and then said sorry if its not allowed here anymore:sad1:


Sue, you have said nothing wrong. Again, the issues of politics and religion have never boiled over here. The changes that I was putting out there for discussion have little to do with the lack of official ability to discuss those topics. And as to what happened on the camping board, I don't know what happened over there, but prayer requests are still ok on the DIS. As long as no one tries to turn it into a "Catholic prayers are better than Morman prayers" thread, it's ok. Oh, and IMHO, you are a CSP too. :goodvibes

For what it's worth, I can understand where the OP is coming from on a certain level. When I first joined the DIS and found the LGBT board, it was kind of like seeing a group of the cool kids playing an expert round of double-dutch. They look like they are having a great time and it lsure seems like a lot of fun, but you just don't have the faintest idea how to jump in without tripping, and even if you do manage to get in without falling on your face, you have no idea if you could ever keep up.

After a few stumbles (but hopefully without actually landing on my face), I have settled into contented lurkdom, only posting when I really felt like I had something to contribute. I have never felt like a part of the group, but I still find the board interesting and entertaining, even if I may never 'get' many of the inside jokes. (I'm afraid to ask about the goat - and even he has better double-dutch skills than I do.) I enjoy the silliness and banter, and I especially like the fact that that banter is always good-natured.

But what has kept me coming back to this board every day is seeing that same group of folks, who tease each other like grade-school siblings, rally around someone in need, whether it is one of the gang, or a newcomer in pain. That, to me, is what makes this board, and its "regulars," unique and special. There have been days when I have been in tears at my desk, touched by the things that I read here, and it makes me proud to be even a peripheral part of this group.

As someone mentioned in an earlier post, maybe the idea of having a Community Board separate from the general LGBT board wouldn't be a bad idea, so postings by newcomers who have questions or just want to vent about LGBT-related travel issues won't get lost amid the general chatter. (Like my frustration that my travel documents for my upcoming trip arrived last week and my DP was listed throughout them as "Mr." And, no, she doesn't have one of those unisex first names.) But please don't make this board strictly a planning board. It may not always be exactly family-friendly, but I think this board is a 'family' nonetheless, and it is certainly more of a "community" than there seems to be in many Community forums on the web.

Thanks for sharing your insights. This board would never survive if it was 100% planning. It does need to be 100% family friendly though. That part is a must. It has had a lot of content that I am uncomfortable with, but maybe it's just because I work with kids and know that we have teenaged posters and children lurking. I am glad to see you post when you do. Please feel free to come out and say more. :goodvibes

My two cents. Flame suit on.

First off, I think Lindy took a big chance with her posting, and I for one applaud her for having the brass to do so. I understand what she is saying. I have been on the DIS longer then many here. I think OKW~DVC~96 beats my member number by a few hundred.

Anyway, I for one am tired of the constant innuendo. And think we need to rise above it, if we ever want to change the narrow minded opinions that look upon us and our lives/lifestyles. Maybes its an age thing, maybe it's a stage of life thing, I don't know. But the DIS is not always a welcoming place for me.

I know I am in the minority, but I happen to agree with the global changes put in effect pertaining to politics and religion on the DIS. It got way out of hand. Again maybe becuase I am an 'old timer" on the DIS, I have seen it change over the years (closer to a decade). Not all the changes for the better. But as Mike has said, in the LGBT area when was the last real such heated discussion. Religion and Politics are rarely discussed in this area. The Barney Frank thread was the last one I can think of, and if thats the "worst" we do on politics, the new rules should be a cakewalk for us.

I agree with a PP that stated maybe the LGBT area be divided into a Disney Related and an Off Topic section. Have I talked about issues non-disney related yes (Wii, NCAAW basketball, etc.) Will I continue too yes. But I also have discussed issues relating to LGBT issues as they pertain to Disney. Yes we are lucky to have our own area, where we are free to be ourselves, and discuss issues that relate to us. But bottom lime is the DIS is a family friendly, Disney related site. It is an open forum that anyone (including children) can read. I think sometimes we (collectively not specifically) lose sight of that.

Maybe I am in a minority, but I feel strongly that as a member of the LGBT community, I hold myself to higher public moral standard/decency level (for lack of a better word at the moment), in order to portray our community (LGBT) in a better light. To show that we are not the negative force that many think we are. That is not to say I am in the closet or anything. I am out typically 100%. But there is a time and place for everything. And levels I set for myself and expectations I have for others. If that makes sense.

I understand the driving force behind Lindy's original post. Do I think we need censorship or more moderation, not neccesarily. Do I think we all need to play a bigger role in keeping our area family friendly and comfortable for everyone, yes. As many friendships have been formed here, the opposite also holds true that there are also alienations, and down right unforgettable acts. Again I will agree with the PP who suggested two seperate areas for the LGBT section of the DIS. Ok that was my 2 cents, stepping off my soapbox now.

Well, you won't get any flames from me. I am glad that yet another member of the quiet minority "gets it".

I hate feeling like you have to walk on eggshells before you post something on here sometimes.

If you EVER feel that your words are being used against you and you feel that someone is being rude, sarcastic, argumentative with you, there is a little triangle down on the lower left side of every post. Click that and report your concerns. If Mike or I know that there is a problem, we can help. :thumbsup2

[Uncle Remus]

Yikes, I feel like I'm not in the cool group. http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg245/Kurtz_09/feecfa38.gif


Someone just try to make me wear Birkenstocks or a dress. :mad:



:lmao:

[Saxton]

My concern is that some people here are just too nice to say that they are frustrated about thread hijacking out in the open forum, but they will PM a moderator about it in a NY minute. If I get PM's from people that are frustrated about it that have been on the DIS for years and newbies, then it's an issue. While anyone can and should feel welcome to jump right in, it's not always easy for new people to feel welcome when their original topic is lost after just a few posts to the thread.


I thought you originally created this thread as a random thought that you had as a DISer, not as a Mod, but now I really would like some clarification. In your original post you seemed to want to move away from 'fun' threads and toward trip planning:

I just feel that the main focus of the group should be tipped back towards being more of a trip planning oriented space rather than being more of a social space.


So I'm confused. Have you received complaints about hijacking on the GLBT board? And if so, exactly how many? One person? Two? Twenty? I know you haven't been a Mod very long so if you've suddenly recieved a bunch of complaints then I think we deserve a clear explanation of how many and exactly what hijacking people are upset about so we know the extent of the problem. And if hijacking isn't the problem but rather content, then why is it suddenly an issue since we've been around a long time. I'm not asking you to name anyone so there's no need to worry about privacy, just a clear explanation of the problem if there is one.

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I have no problem with the silliness, and I have no problem with people posting and discussing non disney things here, but the constant thread hijacking does bother me. I can see where the OP is coming from on that front. So many times I have seen a thread topic that interested me and was excited to see that it was multi pages long, only to find out that after the first three posts the thread had been hijacked and there is nothing in there based on the original topic. Sometimes I have tried to get the thread back on track by posting my thoughts to the original topic, only to have my post ignored and the hijacking continue. I have turned into pretty much of a lurker.

And this is exactly what I worry that lots of other people from our community have experienced, fear, or have just been totally put off by here. Thanks for speaking up. Please, I would love to have EVERYONE that wants to be a poster here to be a poster here. Take an active roll!

Ok I know that I am the irrational one in the “family”, after all I am a Scorpio. Anyway, I, as you all know, think these new rules are ridiculous. I really try to live my life as out and open as I can but then here I have to be quiet about My girlfriend getting verbally attacked about Gay days by some of her teammates because THAT’S POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS! I think it is a shame that the DIS now wants to shove us back into a virtual closet so we shut up about these things. It is a message board, and if someone could not handle people being nasty they could simply not open a thread or block the person. Now the entire DIS is nothing but silliness. Seriously, I do not care that there are no yellow peeps at target.

When did anyone tell you that you couldn't tell your story? As long as it doesn't turn into a drama filled debate, you are more than welcome to post your story. I am sorry that some of her teammates are buttheads. It's women's football, um, did they not realize that there were going to be lesbians on the team? HELLO! :rotfl2:

FYI: Another "irrational" Scorpio here. :goodvibes

I think I said what the OP said a few days ago. Maybe newbies / lurkers would feel more comfy if this board was under the just for fun forums or something. It's under the trip planning forums however most posts are not about trip planning.

If only it were so easy to move a board or create new subforums. Basically, it takes an act of congress. :headache:

Unfortunately this is the job of the moderator to tell the hijackers that they need to return to topic, I understand how it happens, but those that continously do it need to realize they are doing it.

By making a sweeping change to this board are we "punishing the masses for the sins of a few"???

As Tiggr33 said - Lindy I am glad you posted this thread - it got us all talking and staying on point about one topic that is important to all of us.


As it has been, the moderators have done little, if anything to keep threads on topic. Obviously from the variety of responses that this thread has gathered, there are some changes that could and probably should be made to the way that we do business in the way of keeping threads on topic. We can't ignore the quite minority. They deserve respect as DIS'er just like the vocal majority. :thumbsup2

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

The only direction I see these boards going in that I don't like is they're being micro managed.

I was a newbie here once. I found this board to be welcoming, informative and irreverent...and I loved it.
I have started threads regarding shoes, Aids Walk, monkeys and my daughter's health. I have participated in threads about everything else under the sun.
These days the talk is serious and somber and the threads all seem to revolve around what we're doing WRONG. I never thought there was anything wrong here...only a great community of people who shared themselves and their lives.

Honestly, I am trying my best not to "over moderate", however, I do feel that there could be some improvement in the function of the flow of this board. I would hope that you have read the posts of people that are not very comfortable here or have had issues becoming a participant here due to the current environment, and I am not speaking about just the people put off by the new DIS politics and religion ruling either.

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I thought you originally created this thread as a random thought that you had as a DISer, not as a Mod, but now I really would like some clarification. In your original post you seemed to want to move away from 'fun' threads and toward trip planning:

Before I ever became a moderator for this board, I had many of the same concerns and thoughts about this board that I still do now. Now, I have the added responsiblity of being a moderator, which does elevate my DIS'er concerns a bit because I have to think of the "greater good" vs personal opinion. Today's post were made from my "Moderator perspective" rather than my personal one. Yes, I would still like to see more planning related threads. Yes, I worry about the newbies....I was one once too and it was a rather awkward experience here. I do feel that far too often that the innuendo goes overboard. I do feel that the thread hijacking is out of control.


So I'm confused. Have you received complaints about hijacking on the GLBT board? And if so, exactly how many? One person? Two? Twenty? I know you haven't been a Mod very long so if you've suddenly recieved a bunch of complaints then I think we deserve a clear explanation of how many and exactly what hijacking people are upset about so we know the extent of the problem. And if hijacking isn't the problem but rather content, then why is it suddenly an issue since we've been around a long time. I'm not asking you to name anyone so there's no need to worry about privacy, just a clear explanation of the problem if there is one.

Out of respect for those people that have said things to me in private via PM, I will not name any names as to who has griped in the past. I think that would be counterproductive and take away any trust that people might feel or need to feel in the future if they need assistance from a moderator here in the future. I have not been a moderator here for very long, it's only been a couple of months.

Thread hijacking bugs me. It bugs others. It's off putting to the newbies. I worry that it stifles meaningful dialog.

Innuendo bugs me. It bugs others. It's a "bad show" for the free world to lurk in on this forum and see this "stuff". We should be attempting to give the world a much better picture of ourselves and our community. We are family, no doubt, but we have some brothers and sisters who are doing nothing to increase our status in the eyes of the world.

Overall, I know that things change on messageboards and forums all of the time. I would like to think that some small changes like less/no innuendo and keeping threads on topic might make this a better place for everyone. Maybe we all might learn something new from and about each other that was of a little more value than who's the best at riding out to the far edge of witty innuendo.

[OrlandoMike]

Innuendo bugs me. It bugs others. It's a "bad show" for the free world to lurk in on this forum and see this "stuff". We should be attempting to give the world a much better picture of ourselves and our community.

I'm gonna try to keep this short and sweet.....

:lmao:

Innuendo is not "bad show". In my profession it keeps the magic going! After a day of Disney, the "adults" in the group appreciate a little innuendo..and I think that applies to a lot of us here...life is rough, and we come here for fun and antics!

I just came home tonight and read four new threads, one about a trip to Disney, one about AbFab, one about Ptown, and one about a Honeymoon....all threads were on topic and questions were answered promptly!

Will they be hijacked in the morning?

Sure! You bet ya! :thumbsup2

Am I looking forward to reading the hijacking fun! Heck ya!




Am I looking forward to reading this thread any more? :confused3





Not so much!



Like Momma used to say....if it aint broke....don't fix it!

[mykidsintow]

I'm gonna try to keep this short and sweet.....

:lmao:

Innuendo is not "bad show". In my profession it keeps the magic going! After a day of Disney, the "adults" in the group appreciate a little innuendo..and I think that applies to a lot of us here...life is rough, and we come here for fun and antics!

I just came home tonight and read four new threads, one about a trip to Disney, one about AbFab, one about Ptown, and one about a Honeymoon....all threads were on topic and questions were answered promptly!

Will they be hijacked in the morning?

Sure! You bet ya! :thumbsup2

Am I looking forward to reading the hijacking fun! Heck ya!




Am I looking forward to reading this thread any more? :confused3





Not so much!



Like Momma used to say....if it aint broke....don't fix it!

:thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2
Well Said!!!!!
:thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2

[rosiep]

I'm sure that if an original poster wants his thread to stay on topic all he need do is ask : No hijacking please.
I'm sure us merry pranksters would be respectful and leave it alone.

Otherwise......as the wise Beatles said "Let it Be".

[DVC~OKW~96]

Wow. You see? This very thread is the epitome of what this GLBT board is. We have discussions about difficult topics, we don't all agree, and yet we remain civil, respectful and have our every important undercurrent of humor.

You've even managed to show me that I was off the mark in feeling invisible. And for that I thank you. ::yes::

We do have innuendo, we do go off topic, we do get wicked silly. Rosie says it very well, if the OP of a given thread doesn't want the thread derailed, a simple statement or request to that effect will keep it from happening. ::yes::

I think it is important to respect the opinions of those who "disagree" with the majority. After all, isn't that us? Aren't we the minority who so often disagrees with the majority? Those few who think the innuendo and derailments detract from this board do have a perspective worth considering, and worth respecting, eh? ::yes::

[padalyn]

I also think that Rosie's idea has merit. However, I also think that the sexual overtones need to be suppressed a little bit. I have as filthy a mind as the next lesbian - but - this is a public forum without any filters. Parents see the site as kid safe site - we should make it our responsibility to keep it that way.

If you want to get that down and dirty - this may not be the best place for it.

[Saxton]

Am I looking forward to reading this thread any more? :confused3





Not so much!



Like Momma used to say....if it aint broke....don't fix it!

Ditto! I agree with you Mike.

[jamieandben]

I'm gonna try to keep this short and sweet.....

:lmao:

Innuendo is not "bad show". In my profession it keeps the magic going! After a day of Disney, the "adults" in the group appreciate a little innuendo..and I think that applies to a lot of us here...life is rough, and we come here for fun and antics!

I just came home tonight and read four new threads, one about a trip to Disney, one about AbFab, one about Ptown, and one about a Honeymoon....all threads were on topic and questions were answered promptly!

Will they be hijacked in the morning?

Sure! You bet ya! :thumbsup2

Am I looking forward to reading the hijacking fun! Heck ya!




Am I looking forward to reading this thread any more? :confused3





Not so much!



Like Momma used to say....if it aint broke....don't fix it!

I think i'm ready for that KISS now. :lmao:
Well said! :thumbsup2

[wallyb]

So I'm confused. Have you received complaints about hijacking on the GLBT board? And if so, exactly how many? One person? Two? Twenty? I know you haven't been a Mod very long so if you've suddenly recieved a bunch of complaints then I think we deserve a clear explanation of how many and exactly what hijacking people are upset about so we know the extent of the problem. And if hijacking isn't the problem but rather content, then why is it suddenly an issue since we've been around a long time. I'm not asking you to name anyone so there's no need to worry about privacy, just a clear explanation of the problem if there is one.

::yes:: Yes - odd how this all just seemed to crop up suddenly.

:scratchin Curious that.

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I am sorry that some people don't necessarily agree with the method, but it has achieved what I had hoped in many ways. As far as I am concerned, the need to let some people have a voice in the open forum was worth all of the crap that got flung in my general direction.

Have a good day! :goodvibes

[DVC~OKW~96]

Oh! Please don't be upset! Honestly, I think this thread has served many valuable purposes. ::yes:: It's always a good thing (albeit not always comfortable) to provide a mechanism for people to share their thoughts and opinions (when the issue is important enough to care about).

Not all the opinions here are in agreement, and some of the thoughts are quite direct and clear on multiple aspects of the same issue, but that is a good thing!

I think one of the ways of addressing some of the factors under discussion here is that if any one of us does not like innuendo (for example) then we simply don't participate in it. Now, I'll be the very first to admit, I'm dumber than a doorpost with regard to innuendo and could very easily be missing some of it (or feeding into it!).

I know that the party line is that the DIS is family friendly and that children read these boards. I have to say this and please, it's not to disparage your position on these complex issues at all, however this board is the least of any parent's worry. I can't tell you how many threads I've opened on other forums (trip planning, resorts, transportation, budget, ect.) to find rancor, sarcasm and down right nasty comments. Light hearted innuendo that most likely will go over the heads of most children is not a huge factor emmenating from this particular board. That is not meant to provide an "excuse" for allowing innuendo, rather my perspective on why it's not a threat for children (coming from this board).

[PeterPan09]

I'm gonna try to keep this short and sweet.....

:lmao:

Innuendo is not "bad show". In my profession it keeps the magic going! After a day of Disney, the "adults" in the group appreciate a little innuendo..and I think that applies to a lot of us here...life is rough, and we come here for fun and antics!

I just came home tonight and read four new threads, one about a trip to Disney, one about AbFab, one about Ptown, and one about a Honeymoon....all threads were on topic and questions were answered promptly!

Will they be hijacked in the morning?

Sure! You bet ya! :thumbsup2

Am I looking forward to reading the hijacking fun! Heck ya!




Am I looking forward to reading this thread any more? :confused3





Not so much!



Like Momma used to say....if it aint broke....don't fix it!

:thanks: You said it better than I could have.

Look, I get that the board is privately owned and whatever the owners want to do is the way it is going to be-but recent events have been very depressing. The micromanaging, the "if you don't like how we're doing it, here's the door" tone from a board that I really thought was a friendly place is disappointing to say the least.

[DVCajun]

Based on the overwhelming sentiment to keep things as they are I’m wondering what the reason was for this suggestion. Have there been complaints (about Rosie)? I know we all kid around a lot but for the most part we behave (well, except for Rosie). There’s no benefit to micromanaging so I wonder what caused this (what did Rosie do)? If there were complaints is there anything we can do (hide Rosie’s keyboard)?
Obviously I’m kidding (except about the Rosie stuff) … I’m just trying to find some humor in this.


So I'm confused. Have you received complaints about hijacking on the GLBT board? And if so, exactly how many? One person? Two? Twenty? I know you haven't been a Mod very long so if you've suddenly recieved a bunch of complaints then I think we deserve a clear explanation of how many and exactly what hijacking people are upset about so we know the extent of the problem. And if hijacking isn't the problem but rather content, then why is it suddenly an issue since we've been around a long time. I'm not asking you to name anyone so there's no need to worry about privacy, just a clear explanation of the problem if there is one.

Out of respect for those people that have said things to me in private via PM, I will not name any names as to who has griped in the past. I think that would be counterproductive and take away any trust that people might feel or need to feel in the future if they need assistance from a moderator here in the future. I have not been a moderator here for very long, it's only been a couple of months.


I think this is a valid question, and I don't think it was answered. You weren't asked for names, and in fact the poster was very careful to make sure you understood that confidentiality should be respected.

As Saxton pointed out, even on this thread there has been an overwhelming response in favor of keeping things as they are, thread hijacks and all. When you insist on representing a "quiet minority" it gets a little weird. There will always be a quiet minority, right? :confused3: It seems like you're trying to over-represent them to the detriment of everyone else. Everyone else who has been very very happy here. Until a couple of months ago.
Honestly, I am trying my best not to "over moderate", however, I do feel that there could be some improvement in the function of the flow of this board. I would hope that you have read the posts of people that are not very comfortable here or have had issues becoming a participant here due to the current environment, and I am not speaking about just the people put off by the new DIS politics and religion ruling either.

Lindy. Two words: try harder. :hug:

[Goofyluver]

I'm gonna try to keep this short and sweet.....

:lmao:

Innuendo is not "bad show". In my profession it keeps the magic going! After a day of Disney, the "adults" in the group appreciate a little innuendo..and I think that applies to a lot of us here...life is rough, and we come here for fun and antics!

I just came home tonight and read four new threads, one about a trip to Disney, one about AbFab, one about Ptown, and one about a Honeymoon....all threads were on topic and questions were answered promptly!

Will they be hijacked in the morning?

Sure! You bet ya! :thumbsup2

Am I looking forward to reading the hijacking fun! Heck ya!




Am I looking forward to reading this thread any more? :confused3





Not so much!



Like Momma used to say....if it aint broke....don't fix it!

::yes:: Si, hombre.

Zactly what I was thinkin'.

Now on with the fun and antics! :teeth:

[rpmdfw]

You know, I love coming to the GLBT board on the DIS and reading through the conversations. I love participating in them as well.

However, I can't say that I'm all that fond of the new trend to discuss what we should and shouldn't be discussing.

Have you ever gone somewhere with a group of people and the host laid out some ground rules for how to hold conversations? And then runs around enforcing them? No. Because it stifles discourse. It inhibits the free exchange of ideas. And it doesn't sound like much fun to me, either.

While I understand that there need to be some overall guidelines for the DIS in general, I don't know that the GLBT board needs any above and beyond that. We all get along and don't resort to personal attacks. We're MUCH more functional than most other discussion boards. Why aren't we celebrating that accomplishment instead of constantly focusing on what's "wrong"?

Can we please close this thread? I think it's served its purpose. The horse is dead, we need to stop beating it.

[DVCajun]

While I understand that there need to be some overall guidelines for the DIS in general, I don't know that the GLBT board needs any above and beyond that. We're all get along and don't resort to personal attacks. We're MUCH more functional than most other discussion boards. Why aren't we celebrating that accomplishment instead of constantly focusing on what's "wrong"?

:worship::worship::worship::worship::worship:

[wallyb]

: It seems like you're trying to over-represent them to the detriment of everyone else. Everyone else who has been very very happy here. Until a couple of months ago.

It's called spin.
Providing an interpretation of an event or campaign to persuade
public opinion in favor or against a certain organization or public figure.

[OrlandoMike]

Can we please close this thread? I think it's served its purpose. The horse is dead, we need to stop beating it.

I came close to locking it last night, for selfish reasons! Honestly.....this type of thread is the last thing I want to come home to at the end of the day.....

But, when it comes right down to it, I am still a firm believer in discussion, and freedom of speech. As long as their are no personal attacks...I guess we should be able to discuss our feelings about this subject. :confused3

[zeitzeuge]

I came close to locking it last night, for selfish reasons! Honestly.....this type of thread is the last thing I want to come home to at the end of the day.....

But, when it comes right down to it, I am still a firm believer in discussion, and freedom of speech. As long as their are no personal attacks...I guess we should be able to discuss our feelings about this subject. :confused3

Couldn't agree with you more.

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I came close to locking it last night, for selfish reasons! Honestly.....this type of thread is the last thing I want to come home to at the end of the day.....

But, when it comes right down to it, I am still a firm believer in discussion, and freedom of speech. As long as their are no personal attacks...I guess we should be able to discuss our feelings about this subject. :confused3

Thanks for leaving this open. I think that it's about run it's course. I hope that maybe it has opened some minds to the idea that there is always room for improvement.

To answer the question of how many people have PM'ed me, I can tell you that it was a number less than 5 that have spoken up, but that's in only 2 short months. :sad2: Most of them have weighed in on the issue in the course of this thread, heck a couple of the people that spoke out really surprised me. Anyway, I am proud that they felt that they could speak up about the issues that had only previously been discussed in PM's.

I have been a moderator before my current gig here on the DIS. I created and ran a usenet group for lesbians that was behind a firewall, but the company that owned the space we had doesn't exist anymore, so it's gone. :sad1: We had a very detailed FAQ. It was a very busy group for the time that it existed. I miss it in many ways, but I still have friends from the group, so that helps. :) I learned there that as a moderator, you must think of EVERYONE's feelings and consider the few people that do speak up in PM's as being equal to being spoken to by many more that just don't know what to do in order to have a voice.

My goal as a moderator here may be from time to time to shake things up a bit and attempt to get people to look at things that are outside of the status quo. Sometimes we all are selfish individuals, but I believe the the good hearted ones among us will be changed, when they read the struggles and disappointments of their fellow posters about the way that things have been going here. If we can't stand up for even the weakest among us and allow their voices to be heard here on a GLBT Disney messageboard, then how the heck can we ever expect that our fellow Americans are going to give us all a fair chance out in the real world?

[wallyb]

I hope that maybe it has opened some minds to the idea that there is always room for improvement.


... Sometimes we all are selfish individuals, but I believe the the good hearted ones among us will be changed,...


So ... If I don't agree with your paticular SPIN on this issue I ...
1 - have a closed mind.
2 - need improving.
3 - am selfish.
4 - am not good hearted.
:sad2:
Feels like a veiled attempt at name calling to me.

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Looks like I picked quite the week to go AWOL...

Anywho... Here are my 2 cents (Really -- I'm not supposed to be typing so it will be short) I read through about half of this thread kinda going back and forth.

I love our board :love: -- the sense of community and family is unparalleled elsewhere.

Getting to know you folks through threads both serious and silly, has raised my consciousness and helped me find my voice in speaking out for equality. (I never much liked the knee-jerk reaction the term "gay rights" seems seemed to provoke in some people but -- Hey -- it wasn't my ox that was gettin' gored so I kept my mouth shut and my opinions to myself.) Now, thanks to you folks :goodvibes, I can't do that.

Would I have stuck around long enough to have experienced this change if the little corner of cyberspace hadn't proved to be so much random fun? I'm thinking probably not.

Thank you everybody for being positively, precisley, absolutely the people you are. :grouphug:

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

So ... If I don't agree with your paticular SPIN on this issue I ...
1 - have a closed mind.
2 - need improving.
3 - am selfish.
4 - am not good hearted.
:sad2:
Feels like a veiled attempt at name calling to me.

Wallyb, you are an adult. You are going to read into a post whatever it is that you want to read into it. In other words, the "spin" is all yours. I have no need to sink to the level of name calling, veiled or otherwise.

I feel that we have a great bunch of people here. Some of the people are fine with the way that things are and others have problems with it. It's my job to attempt to stand up for EVERYONE. I am not here to win a popularity contest. (:laughing: Yeah, I just imagined the words coming out of your mouth after you read that one. ;))

[MAF]

I hope I"m not beating the dead horse any further, but I can see both sides of this argument. As a relative lurker, I have noticed that this forum is extremely "clique-y" and its almost impossible to try to break into the conversation or to even follow them sometimes. I mean I whole heartedly disagree that people should be told what they can and can't post on here, but it would just be nice if newbies and lurkers could feel like they could actually contribute to the discussions going on. Just my two cents. :confused3

[rosiep]

I It's my job to attempt to stand up for EVERYONE. I am not here to win a popularity contest. (:laughing: Yeah, I just imagined the words coming out of your mouth after you read that one. ;))

Sorry, I don't think it is. As you said-we're adults...people can stand up for themselves....

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Sorry, I don't think it is. As you said-we're adults...people can stand up for themselves....

You are entitled to your opinion.

I believe that people did stand up for themselves. I just gave them a chance to speak by speaking up for myself. Hopefully, we can work out some minor changes that will make everyone a bit happier.

[jamieandben]

You are entitled to your opinion.

I believe that people did stand up for themselves. I just gave them a chance to speak by speaking up for myself. Hopefully, we can work out some minor changes that will make everyone a bit happier.

Or make you HAPPY?:confused3

[Holly]

Thanks for leaving this open. I think that it's about run it's course. I hope that maybe it has opened some minds to the idea that there is always room for improvement.

To answer the question of how many people have PM'ed me, I can tell you that it was a number less than 5 that have spoken up, but that's in only 2 short months. :sad2: Most of them have weighed in on the issue in the course of this thread, heck a couple of the people that spoke out really surprised me. Anyway, I am proud that they felt that they could speak up about the issues that had only previously been discussed in PM's.

I have been a moderator before my current gig here on the DIS. I created and ran a usenet group for lesbians that was behind a firewall, but the company that owned the space we had doesn't exist anymore, so it's gone. :sad1: We had a very detailed FAQ. It was a very busy group for the time that it existed. I miss it in many ways, but I still have friends from the group, so that helps. :) I learned there that as a moderator, you must think of EVERYONE's feelings and consider the few people that do speak up in PM's as being equal to being spoken to by many more that just don't know what to do in order to have a voice.

My goal as a moderator here may be from time to time to shake things up a bit and attempt to get people to look at things that are outside of the status quo. Sometimes we all are selfish individuals, but I believe the the good hearted ones among us will be changed, when they read the struggles and disappointments of their fellow posters about the way that things have been going here. If we can't stand up for even the weakest among us and allow their voices to be heard here on a GLBT Disney messageboard, then how the heck can we ever expect that our fellow Americans are going to give us all a fair chance out in the real world?

The weakest among us? :scared:

You know, that is an odd argument and one that can easily be turned around against the one that I *think* you are trying to make.


Have you noticed a lot of members ganging up on others in here? This has always been a laid back and easygoing forum. :goodvibes


I hope that you make an announcement of any official changes you are making because right now I think some people are confused and not sure what we are allowed to post. Are you implementing new rules based on this thread?

[npmommie]

well I am just one of those csp's so not sure my opinion matters, but I would hate to see this board go to a strictly planning board, its fun over here,
no one ever bashes one another, its strictly good conversation, yeah there are disagreements, but always respectful from what I have seen.
i personally enjoy the wit of Wally :love:, and I LOL at Rosie :love:all the time.........
I agree, if it isn't broke don't fix it :)

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

No worries everyone. Go back to situation normal. As of right now, I am no longer a moderator here.

[PghLybrt]

No worries everyone. Go back to situation normal. As of right now, I am no longer a moderator here.

I guess I can only speak for me but I really do not think this was the desired outcome that anyone wanted.

[Uncle Remus]

Oh well, fwiw, I ain't gonna post political activism back here anymore
either, sorry if I offended anyone with my concern about equal rights.
I'll take that part of my "lifestyle" elsewhere. :)

[PghLybrt]

Oh well, fwiw, I ain't gonna post political activism back here anymore
either, sorry if I offended anyone with my concern about equal rights.
I'll take that part of my "lifestyle" elsewhere. :)

I don't want that outcome either! I learn a lot from you!

[OrlandoMike]

Oh well, fwiw, I ain't gonna post political activism back here anymore
either, sorry if I offended anyone with my concern about equal rights.
I'll take that part of my "lifestyle" elsewhere. :)

This post has reached an end....

But I do want to comment on Remus's post.

I do believe we over here are all on the same page concerning "our" goals concerning equal rights. Discussion about things that concern our community will be allowed. Nothing has changed in that reguard.

So please discuss as you would have before!

I'm gonna lock this post, but I have learned something from it, and will start a new hot topic post! ;)