How do you handle unfriendly people

[andylem73]

How do you handle unfriendly people who obviously dislike gay and lesbian people, when you stay at WDW
My legal husband and I live in NY where we don't run into this sort of situation.
We have not experienced nasty looks from other guests, (that I can recall), but how do you handle it?

[zulemara]

well, as a CM, I always walked around like I owned the place in that regard. Now I'm not a CM, but that doesn't matter. I never notice, but apparently people do give us dirty looks when we are in the park. No one has confronted us before, but if they did, I'd tell them to go complain to a( probably gay) guest relations CM. They can huff and puff all they want, but when you're inside WDW you are backed 100% by the company, not to mention the large majority of CMs. To me, knowing I have that backing was always enough to counter any negativity.

If someone actually got in my face, I'd just threaten to call my lawyer(which is available 24/7) and that would probably diffuse the situation.

[chloesmommy]

This is sorta off topic I suppose, but were a hetrosexually couple coming to Disney the first week of June with our kids. In no way are we homophobic and our kids arent being brought up that way. My friend was shocked we booked that week and swears we will encounter very vulgar people. Wheather or not it was hetrosexual or otherwise I wouldnt want them exposed to that. PDA is one thing hugs, smooches, holding
hands and such and in no way bothers me. Has anyone been that week that can give your input?

[cmhguy]

We have never had a problem, but I have wondered about this and thought how do I best prepare should this be an encounter. The great news is that we’ve never had to find out! We stay on property and use the transportation system, and that gave me a little angst on our first trip to the World together.

We have met so many wonderful people and families. For whatever reason, kids tend to love us and just start talking to us……and I’ve often been a little freaked out fearing the worst from the parents to find their precious son/daughter talking to two guys. EVERY time – the parents get to know us, and time-and-time again, we experience another magical moment! This is one of the things that has made our WDW trips so special to us and give us story after story to tell!

Fearing the worst, like I tend to do – but experiencing just the opposite.

For the most part, I have planned to ignore such rude behavior if it should happen. I’m not going to ruin my day or moment over someone else’s choice to be rude. I feel safe at WDW, and I’m not going to let someone else take away from my experience of having fun and a relaxing time. Should something be of a severe nature, I would likely seek out the assistance of a CM and/or Guest Services for assistance in handling the situation and not involve myself with the offender.

We have experienced a lot of rude people in the World, but it had nothing to do with our identity – they were just rude entitled people that would have walked over anyone in their path. I don’t let them get to me either! It’s not worth it to me…

[blue65829]

Originally Posted by cmhguy

We have met so many wonderful people and families. For whatever reason, kids tend to love us and just start talking to us……and I’ve often been a little freaked out fearing the worst from the parents to find their precious son/daughter talking to two guys. EVERY time – the parents get to know us, and time-and-time again, we experience another magical moment! This is one of the things that has made our WDW trips so special to us and give us story after story to tell! …

This is so similar to our experience as a straight couple in their 30's traveling to wdw without children.

Little kids are constantly coming up to/touching/running into DH and we are always making jokes about it, but really being so careful not to touch anyone's child! I'm not sure why we think we are so suspicious looking! I guess we feel like some might think we are odd for being there when we don't have kiddos.

Anyhow, on topic, we visited the world on our honeymoon during early june without realizing the coincidence, until we saw everyone wearing red shirts (on the same day we were wearing red shirts ), there was no difference to any other trip we've been on.

[Chuck S]

Originally Posted by chloesmommy

This is sorta off topic I suppose, but were a hetrosexually couple coming to Disney the first week of June with our kids. In no way are we homophobic and our kids arent being brought up that way. My friend was shocked we booked that week and swears we will encounter very vulgar people. Wheather or not it was hetrosexual or otherwise I wouldnt want them exposed to that. PDA is one thing hugs, smooches, holding
hands and such and in no way bothers me. Has anyone been that week that can give your input?

I doubt you or your children will see anything inappropriate. My Mother, who passed last year at the age of 87, often went to WDW with me during the first week of June.

Mostly it is hand holding and pecks on the cheek, remember that many of us also will have children and families in tow. We are there to enjoy Disney World, just like anyone else.

[chloesmommy]

Originally Posted by Chuck S

I doubt you or your children will see anything inappropriate. My Mother, who passed last year at the age of 87, often went to WDW with me during the first week of June.

Mostly it is hand holding and pecks on the cheek, remember that many of us also will have children and families in tow. We are there to enjoy Disney World, just like anyone else.

Thanks for your reply.... now if we can just figure out how to stay cool.

[Kae]

Originally Posted by chloesmommy

This is sorta off topic I suppose, but were a hetrosexually couple coming to Disney the first week of June with our kids. In no way are we homophobic and our kids arent being brought up that way. My friend was shocked we booked that week and swears we will encounter very vulgar people. Wheather or not it was hetrosexual or otherwise I wouldnt want them exposed to that. PDA is one thing hugs, smooches, holding
hands and such and in no way bothers me. Has anyone been that week that can give your input?

We did not have a problem at all.

Kae

[mrunn0080]

Originally Posted by chloesmommy

This is sorta off topic I suppose, but were a hetrosexually couple coming to Disney the first week of June with our kids. In no way are we homophobic and our kids arent being brought up that way. My friend was shocked we booked that week and swears we will encounter very vulgar people. Wheather or not it was hetrosexual or otherwise I wouldnt want them exposed to that. PDA is one thing hugs, smooches, holding
hands and such and in no way bothers me. Has anyone been that week that can give your input?

There are a lot of straight couples with kids in the parks on "Gay Days" week and the kids all ask mom "why is everyone wearing red"? That's got to be the hardest question to answer to a child. I know kids are out of school that week for some and I feel bad because there are so many people in the park, the lines are all 180 minute waits because of this annual event.

[Chuck S]

Originally Posted by mrunn0080

There are a lot of straight couples with kids in the parks on "Gay Days" week and the kids all ask mom "why is everyone wearing red"? That's got to be the hardest question to answer to a child. I know kids are out of school that week for some and I feel bad because there are so many people in the park, the lines are all 180 minute waits because of this annual event.

Why? If parents don't want to mention "gay," just say the people wearing red are part of a large group visiting Disney World on that particular day. That would be completely honest and should be a satisfactory answer for a child.

I have never seen any 180 minute wait times during Gay Days. The parks are busy, yes, but really not packed. Nothing like a long holiday weekend when the parks are REALLY busy.

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Originally Posted by mrunn0080

There are a lot of straight couples with kids in the parks on "Gay Days" week and the kids all ask mom "why is everyone wearing red"? That's got to be the hardest question to answer to a child. I know kids are out of school that week for some and I feel bad because there are so many people in the park, the lines are all 180 minute waits because of this annual event.

Why would that be a hard question to answer at all?

Kid: "Why is everyone wearing red?"

Mom: "Because they are here to celebrate 'Gay Days'" which is an event for Gay and Lesbian Disney fans, and their loved ones.

Also, if there are lots of straight couples with kids, aren't they contributing to the lines?

[andylem73]

Thank you! Those are my Husbands thoughts exactly. I tend to over analyze things where he has a much more happy go lucky "magical" outlook.
We will be sailing on the Dream the 1st week of March will be at WDW following the cruise.
I too feel very safe at WDW always staying on property at Deluxe resorts but still I am iffy with many of the straight people in the common areas and parks. (my own prejudice and fear I suppose, that I will need to work on overcoming).

[allears]

Originally Posted by andylem73

Thank you! Those are my Husbands thoughts exactly. I tend to over analyze things where he has a much more happy go lucky "magical" outlook.
We will be sailing on the Dream the 1st week of March will be at WDW following the cruise.
I too feel very safe at WDW always staying on property at Deluxe resorts but still I am iffy with many of the straight people in the common areas and parks. (my own prejudice and fear I suppose, that I will need to work on overcoming).

My partner and I went on a Disney cruise last year, this was his first cruise ever and my 10th. However, it was my first cruise since coming out, my previous cruises where with my ex-wife and children. Though I knew the experience for me would be a bit different, I didn't worry about any reactions from guest or cast. Every cruise I've been on there have always been gay couples and I never saw anyone treated poorly or even garner snarky looks. This one was no exception. I never felt a moment of discomfort at all! Quite the opposite actually.

I am sure you will have an outstanding time, just enjoy and be confident in yourselves!

[dalayney]

Honestly, feel sorry for them. Feel sorry for those who are so closed minded, they glare, or look down on you. They, are the ones that are missing out on potential friends, or just meeting awesome people. Feel sorry for their children, because they are teaching them that, they can't be who they are, and have to fit in this one certain stereotype of a human being.

And then snicker back, because those who judge? usually have some whopper of skeletons in their closets, and are just deflecting on their own faults and insecurities. Pity these people, don't waste a second worrying about them though.

Have a fanstastic trip!

[ford91exploder]

IGNORE THEM.

Seriously although it hurts do not give them the pleasure of responding to their taunt.

Disney is supposed to be a joyful place but as a sign in a local repair shop states 'Everyone brings joy to this room, Some by entering, Some by leaving...'

Don't give the 'leaving' ones the satisfaction of being visibly hurt by them.

Personally i'm not LGBT but when I was a teen a LGBT couple used to take me to the beach, taught me the antique business and introduced me to the local arts community.

So perhaps I have a better understanding of LGBT than most people in my position and I see them as just ordinary people going about their lives.

Originally Posted by andylem73

How do you handle unfriendly people who obviously dislike gay and lesbian people, when you stay at WDW
My legal husband and I live in NY where we don't run into this sort of situation.
We have not experienced nasty looks from other guests, (that I can recall), but how do you handle it?