A Change in Direction

[wallyb]

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

 

[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...

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. 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.

 

[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! 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...

 

[mikelan6]

this seems to sum up my fellings on this topic...

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!

 

[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!

Yeah. Including a couple friends of mine.

 

[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!

Sad state of affairs.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Sad state of affairs.

Not necessarily!

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

 

[Uncle Remus]

Not necessarily!

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

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!

 

[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.

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. 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. 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.

 

[Uncle Remus]

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

With new fresh cocktails.


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.

 

[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



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



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


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


Sue


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.

The more the mary... er