gay days......

[DizBelle]

Please, no one take offense and no one make any derogatory comments at all. I am just seeking information.

I'm wondering how the WDW guests particpating in gay days conduct themselves while visting the parks. In general terms, what is their dress and manner?

Thanks!

[HunnyPots]

While I can't speak for the Magic Kingdom, as we avoided this park on its designated day due to crowds, I saw nothing out of the ordinary at MGM or AK. Had I not read the schedule for Gay Days, I wouldn't have even known about it.

Someone else can answer in regards to MK, but I have been told that the only problem is that it produces massive crowds.

[WDSearcher]

You'll see everything from shorts and t-shirts to thongs, just like any other time of the year! :p

Seriously, there will be a few people who "dress up" -- I remember one remarkable get-up that was red vinyl, with high heeled platform shoes and a dog collar, and all I could think was, "Red vinyl on a sunny June day ... THAT won't last long." But that was definitely the exception, not the rule. You're more likely to see questionable clothing and a lot of bared skin when the South Americans are in town than you are during Gay Days. (Nothing against South Americans, but they do tend to bare a lot more skin than their neighbors up north.)

You'll see a LOT of red t-shirts (the "official" color of the day), and probably a few drag queens (who may or may not be apparent). Other than that, it'll look like a normal day at the parks. All of the Gay Days participants are there to enjoy the parks too -- they know that comfort is key, and they're not going to do the outlandish costumes if they want to have fun.

As for manner ... you'll see lots of same-sex hand-holding, and probably some kissing. I've seen more public displays of affection by high schoolers than by Gay Days participants, though. In fact, the only times I've actually seen people flat-out making out in the parks has been heterosexual couples! If you end up on Small World or something like that with a bunch of "red-shirts," you'll probably have to endure them all singing along for the whole ride, and like any large group (family reunion, cheerleaders, etc), there will be lots of squealing and hugging and all of that as they see each other from opposite ends of the parks! :p

Many guests who happen to be there during Gay Days don't even notice it, so unless you go in looking for specific behavior, you probably won't see anything unusual. I would NOT, however, recommend taking your kids to Pleasure Island ....

:earsboy:

[Mickey76]

:D

You will see same-sex hand-holding and kissing. When I was at WDW in 2002, I was there during the Gay Day Weekend. I was fine with it. However, there were families that had no idea this event was scheduled and they were extremely disappointed that they and their children were witness to the affection the same-sex couples were showing for one another. One man had a very offensive shirt on and was told to remove it or turn it inside out. He did so without incident. I had a PS for Crystal Palce for breakfast and the table next to me had several same-sex couples. They were extremely nice and said to let them know if they were being too loud and offensive. I took some pictures for them and they returned the favor. You shouldn't have a problem as long as you have an open mind and an open heart. They're on vacation, too. Have a great time!

[KristaTX]

I've been the first week of June several times because of the way school holidays fall, and I just try to avoid the designated park of the day because of the effect on the crowds. On MK Saturday the park will be packed and a few participants will likely be making a spectacle of themselves. If that doesn't sound like something you want to deal with, then avoid the MK all day Saturday.

[BoyLovesBuzz]

I would much rather go during Gay Days the Jersey Week. All those Yankees give me the willies.

[Doc and Family]

LOL at BoyLovesBuzz!

When is Jersey week, it sounds scary to me!

[tmli]

I haven't been during gay days but I have seen many same sex encounters during most of our vacations to WDW. Nothing that I would consider offensive, hand holding etc.
My ds has sometimes had questions which I answer honestly and he goes about his day.

I would be offended by over the top spectacles of affection in front of my ds whether they were same or opposite sex couples. I believe certain behaviours belong in private no matter what your sexual orientation is.

I guess my point is that you will very likely come across same sex couples at Disney World no matter what time of year you go...only you can decide your own comfort level and what is best for your family.

[Luv2trav]

When is gay days? We are going from may27th-June 4th..... My sister is coming with us and she is gay and she just might like it! :p

[tmq2766]

I personally would love to go during gay days.... I have known many gay men and I would much rather hang with them than caddy women...... I think people make too big of a deal over "gay days" Trust me nothing against east coast people but I agree with BoylovesBuzz I was there this past Jersey week and I would NEVER do it again!!!!!

[Mackey Mouse]

Just wondering.. ;) Does that Yankee remark also apply to Bostonians or is it just Jersey week??? Teehee...

[tmq2766]

I have been labled a Yankee way too many times this week.....That is a whole nother thread......
MackeyMouse I would love to attend beantown days....Really nothing against Jersy folk just did not like the felling of being a minority thats all.:tongue:

[SnackyStacky]

I would COMPLETELY avoid the Magic Kingdom on its designated day during gay days. It's got nothing to do with the gay people, it's got to do with the sheer number of PEOPLE. Gay, straight....it doesn't matter! When that many are in the Magic Kingdom, I prefer not to be one of them. That's why I try to go in the off season. :)

[sk!mom]

This question always surprises me. For the most part they will dress just like what they are- PEOPLE on vacation. Just like all of us.

[crazyforgoofy]

and as others have mentioned kept away from the "park of the day" just to avoid crowds. It worked fine. Saw lots of people who seemed to be having a great time.

We'll be there again this year and won't go to Magic Kingdom on Saturday only because of the crowds. Two of our four grandchildren live with their two aunties and understand that families come in all shapes, sizes and flavors.

[Mama Twinkles]

I agree with sk!mom: Originally posted by sk!mom
This question always surprises me. For the most part they will dress just like what they are- PEOPLE on vacation. Just like all of us.

Contrary to popular belief, gay and lesbian folks are neither hypersexual nor ethically challenged. We are from as many walks of life as anyone else. Some of us are your doctors, your professors, your PTA presidents, and we do not suddenly become depraved exhibitionists at WDW. Many of us are absolutely invisible as such in a crowd, having learned to hide self-protectively from a young age. The many who are open and recognizable are to be commended for not hiding what is not a defect in the first place, and for braving others' judgments with dignity.

If you see a gay person doing something that makes you uncomfortable, first ask yourself how many straight people you have seen do the same thing that day. If the behavior is outrageous, do not blame it on the individual's sexual orientation or assume that a disproportionate number of gays and lesbians would do the same. We are not lacking in the conscience department, and I would wager are higher than average on the empathy and compassion scales because we have dealt with discrimination all our lives.

In addition, living as sexual outlaws inspires some people to question and challenge potentially confining sexual and sex-role conventions, and some gay people are joyfully and publicly outside the norms of appearance and behavior (much as many straight "outlaws" are). Variety is the spice of life, and those who live freely and who are true to themselves are to be admired, not scorned or feared, as long as they are not X-rated in public.

If some (very, very few) INTENTIONALLY try to get a rise out of you (or the faceless crowd), it is because they are angry at long years of being wrongly expected not to declare publicly who they are (as if wearing a wedding ring is not a constant declaration of one's heterosexuality). They may view you (or the crowd) as prudish and in need of a reevaluation of the box they think you put yourself in. Just ignore the gauntlet if you are happy with your own life, make sure you do not contribute to unfair discrimination, and enjoy the rest of your day. JMHO.

[Brianhog]

WE have been many times the first week of June during gay days. We have rarely seen anything that I would consider being offensive to anyone irregardless of your feelings on the subject. The only exception is MK on Saturday and that is more to do with the crowds as someone mentioned above. The one time we went there on Saturday we left within an hour because of the crowds. However, I would say if you are bothered by this subject Saturday is also not a good day as that seems to be the day that few people go a little overboard in their dress in actions in my opinion.

[vicnmickey]

AMEN MAMA TWINKLES, I have seen straight people at WDW, wearing clothing that they should not, fish nets and mini skirts what were they thinking. Honestly, we all are human

We are going to WDW, the first week in June. I got the schedule for gay weeks, only to avoid the larger crowds. I explained to my 12 and 13 year old that we are going during Gay week. You know what my 13 year old said. Cool mom, I think its really neat that people can be honest and open about their selves, even at Disney world:teeth: I have always taught my kids the prejudice is why the world is at war with each other. Go have a great time, its WDW for god sake!!!!!

[Mama Twinkles]

Thanks, vicnmickey! You go, Girl!

[noseybuddy]

This is the first I have heard of Gay Day at DW. So, I must ask this question. Do they have special activities planned for them, etc?

[BrerMama]

Mama Twinkles, thanks so much for your intelligent, rational post on this subject.

To answer Nosybuddy's question, Disney does not plan anything for Gay Days. Gay Days is independently organized by what I assume is a gay/lesbian organization (actually I believe it's 2 different organizations). They designate a park for each day of the celebration, but the Disney company has nothing to do with this. It would be similiar to a Single Parent organization saying "Let's all go to Orlando at the same time. We'll go to these parks on these days and everyone wear a green shirt so we can recognize you."

[drusba]

Go here to see their 2004 schedule:

http://www.gayday.com/otherevents/..%5Cschedule%5Cdefault.asp?gi=110

If you want to avoid most of the gay crowd follow a park schedule that is different from theirs. If you want to join the crowd go with the schedule. As to whether you will feel uneasy if you are not gay, it depends on you. If you are from a large city with a significant gay population (like we are) you hardly notice anything. If you are from nothern North Dakota and listen to Russ Limbaugh religiously, you may have a different reaction.

[snyderla]

IMHO, this is just another "what should I expect" question, like all the others on these boards. Is this event like Mardi Gras or Fantasy Fest, or is it more like a family reunion? I've heard "Night Of Joy" at the MK is one of the wildest nights there. I will avoid it because I don't want to see a bunch of wild teenagers misbehaving! I can see that at home, thank you! I have friends and family who are gay and who are not. Depending on the event they are attending, some of my friends and family will be a little crazy or a lot crazy. (there is no "not crazy" when discussing my friends and family!LOL) People are people and events sometimes take on a life of their own!
No one is trying to offend anyone here...I didn't know what to expect at the parks during the summer until I'd been there. Sure didn't think I'd see some of the things I did. And now I know.

I know this is a sensitive subject sometimes for some people, I think the original poster had a question that was reasonable. We all want to know what to expect at WDW!

Lori

[pnelson]

Personally, I would rather be at Gay Days with my child then be there when the Pop Warner cheerleaders are around. I've never seen a group act worse than those cheerleaders. I've even said to my child "There is an example of how not to act!" There parents didn't raise them right! My entire opinion, however, is that WDW is a much more enjoyable place when it is not overly crowded and for that reason, we try and avoid special events to begin with.

[Disneyland_emily]

I worked Rock n Roller Coaster during the One mighty Party in 2001 and enjoyed it much better than the drunk conventions we've had ( ya know corps that rent out coaster and tower and have a free bar) Most people were very well behaved, and only a few were over the top-

Disney does try to give those that are uncomfortable, jobs that are not as guest oriented and those that want it the jobs like the preshows etc that are in a dark room- Even on a normal day its amazing what ya can see there- :p

-em

[DisneyVillain]

We were there again during that time last year. I don't even recommend avoiding the park they are going to be visiting, except for the MK on Saturday. I think that there are just as many people avoiding those parks because of the gays, as there are gays visiting, and we didn't see any inappropriate behavior from the gay couples there.

One thing we did notice this time, was that gays also get tired of the huge crowds at MK that Saturday. We were at Epcot, and beginning in mid-afternoon, we saw more and more groups of proudly (and sometimes loudly), gay men and women who had abandoned the MK because of the crowds. (No big deal. We still won't avoid Epcot that day.)

I do have a funny family story related to Gay Day. We were on the boat from the Epcot resorts to the Disney/MGM studios on the Monday before Gay Day 2003. The boat captain announced that everyone should arrange a time and place to meet, should you become separated. Without hesitation, my 17 yo son turned to his 13 yo brother and said "Cinderella's castle, Saturday noon. Wear a red shirt."

[DizBelle]

As with any group that shares similar interests, some tend to go to extremes when they get together.

Heck, if I wore my leopard print mouse ears and the lanyard with blinking pins on it (like I wear all over the place at WDW) to my local mall, I imagine that I would get some looks. But when with a large group that shares similar interests (like EVERYONE that spends $ and time at WDW), my mouse ears and blinking pins aren't strange at all. This is where I feel I can let my "Disney-ness" show.

I was just wondering if there were any participants in Gay Days that exhibited extreme behavior during this time when the group gets together to express themselves the same way I express my "Disney-ness" as soon as I get to WDW.

[momoftwins98]

"If you end up on Small World or something like that with a bunch of "red-shirts," you'll probably have to endure them all singing along for the whole ride, and like any large group (family reunion, cheerleaders, etc), there will be lots of squealing and hugging and all of that as they see each other from opposite ends of the parks!"


My girls love It's a Small World, they would get such a kick out of everyone singing. :teeth: If only that would happen!

[garylpn]

my only experience with gay days was sat,mk during 96 visit, it did seem to bump up the crowds more, i understand gay wek has gotten a lot larger and more organized since then
pleasure island was a little over the top that night, but in a humerous kind of way, lots of interesting dresses /tutus etcetera being worn
that was the year that many participants were wearing the red shirts with the slogan " a day of magic, a night of pleasure"
no different from any other large crowd
gary

[CanadaPT]

... and will avoid MK on Saturday simply because of crowds as well. Any event that draws big numbers is going to get in the way of our detailed planning!! I don't expect Gay days to be any different than any other special event.

[Baloo]

My family was there in 2002 and didn't even realize Gay Days were going on until we got back and I read it here on the DIS! We noticed the weekend got more crowded at Epcot and MGM.We never go to the MK on a Sat. anyway so we were unaware!

[Grumpy37]

Originally posted by drusba
If you are from nothern North Dakota and listen to Russ Limbaugh religiously, you may have a different reaction.

Yup, us dumb bumpkins from the midwest are all one big prejudiced mob.

But you sophisticated folk from the big city are all open minded and tolerant and would never prejudge any group of people based on where they live, etc. Oh, wait, except when you prejudge US dumb country bumpkins, then its OK. :rolleyes:

[Baloo]

Okay folks a friendly reminder of Board Guidlines,that pertain to this particular thread, before this topic goes waaaaaaaay off topic and has to be locked.C'mon lets play nice this is a trip planning board not a debate board! :)

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[Valentine]

All I have to say is WOW!! It is such a pleasure to read Adult responses... Thank you to everyone here who responded in a positive and nonchalant manner... This is why I love the DisBoards!! This topic could be a sensitive issue.. and I have to say that this thread is the first that I have read with such a positive twist!!! Thank you all!! Sorry if I am off topic.. but I had to say thanks!! and to be On Topic.. the Gay Days is just like all have said here.. no different than any other disney day.. just avoid the Magic Kingdom on Saturday... unless you are gay.. then wear red.. and be there with everyone else!! I wish I could be there.. but I never seem to be able to get the time off that week!! Rats!!

Thanks again...

Kathy :wave: