Anyone encountered any anti-gay hostility-updated!

[easleygrls]

I've just finished reading some posts on another board in which the poster remarked about the "disgusting & perverted" things she witnessed while visiting during Gay Days. This makes me wonder...has anyone encountered any hostility from other guests over 'appearing' or 'acting' gay?

The last time DP & I were at WDW was in '95, and the most frequent comment we got was "are you two sisters?" (No, we all look alike...!?!).
When we go the week after Gay Days this summer we'll have DD7 in tow. Quite a different dynamic.

Living in the Bible Belt has made me used to all the staring from the good 'ol boys (and broads too!), and we are waaaaaaaay past the PDA stage, but this poster has made me a little nervous. 1) DD has managed to make it this far without being exposed to any negative comments about her family and I hope I can keep her sheltered a bit longer, and 2) I know how cranky I get in the heat...I'd hate to snap on someone who made some inappropriate comments.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Chuck S]

The only thing I have encountered personally was a guest who was talking one of those park exit polls where the CM with an electronic pad asks about their day. It was at EPCOT, and I was waiting while Mom was in the restroom, and the guy just went off on the poor CM (who was a Senior Citizen) about the "make up of the crowd, how can Disney alolow such a thing, etc. The CM waited until the guy was done, said he was sorry he didn't enjoy the day and left it at that. Then the CM walked over to me an apologized on behalf of the guest. That CM had the patience of a saint.

 

[ConcKahuna]

The worst I had was a gentleman who came up to me with his daughter in tow and told me "you people are disgusting!" Of course both this gentleman and said daughter had dreadlocks (not the stylish kind, the nasty kind) and reeked of B.O., so I didnt take offense.

 

[Bocabear]

I was there with a friend and we were just walking...and there was this redneck family all in camouflage and t-shirts...the 8 year old son said "Hey Daddy, look at the ******s" and the father glared at us as if to intimidate....we just smiled and walked on by...
Nice to see someone instilling hate at such an early age....geeez.
other than that experience, we had no problems whatsoever and most people were friendly...CM were especially frindly and there was a really festive air to the crowd ...

 

[tiggr33]

Padalyn and I have received glares. I have two responses to the gawkers.

The first: Picture this in a flattered tone. I say loud and happily, "Oh do you recognize her. Do you want an autograph, or would you like a picture with her" Cayla is usually hysterical in laughter by the time I get the last word out. The best is if anyone else iwe know walks by and runs over and chimes in (flustered excited tone) with an "OHHH MY GAWD I can't believe your here"

The second, I dont really want to post I like my PG rating, but is along the lines of "yes we are, no you cant"

 

[lillielil]

Just once... we were standing in line for Space Mountain and holding hands (in a totally G/PG sort of way). A family of four (mom, dad, kids about 5 and 7) was in line behind us. The parents suddenly noticed that we were holding hands, and took a few steps backwards. They then stood in front of the kids to form a wall, and just kept glaring at us, giving us some of the nastiest looks I have ever seen.

I can deal with nasty looks. What really bothered me is that they were using the two of us as a tool to teach their children hate.

And not that it should matter, but we could just as easily have been sisters or close friends. It's not like we were groping on each other (which is gross, and not something anyone should be doing while in line for Space Mountain).

Other than that... nothing but fabulousness. Well, the occasional quizzical look. And there then there was that woman who asked us if we were "kin" and wanted to fight about it when we said no.


And WOW! I just noticed your name/location. I'm originally from Anderson. Hi, neighbor!

 

[SkyMedik]

OK...here's my take...and, yes, I am 24 years old and it may be a young mindset. And, yes, I am waiting from a phone call from the police academy. And, yes, I work in areas where people aren't overly liberal.....

I don't want to be the bigger person. I don't want to rise above it. I -do- want to sink to their level. I realize many of you think it's perpetuating the problem (OK, I admit it does, but I'm sick of kissing people's butts). But if you make a rude comment to me, gawk at me, teach your kids to hate me...you're going to hear how I feel about it. And if you push the issue, I'll push back harder. And if you wanna take it to the next level, go for it, I'll match you. 'Cuz I've had a bad week, I'm out of espresso and I'm sick of biggots wasting my oxygen.

*shew!* I feel better now.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

This is my first post on this board, and I'm here because I want to know how crowded the parks are going to be when I'm there.

I just want to say, as a straight woman, I'm appalled at some of the comments I've seen on the other boards in regards to the Gay Day celebration. Of course, parents who shelter their children needlessly get on my ever-living nerves anyway... but to couple that with hate/bigotry, is reprehensible in my opinion.

I hope that those who have made those comments, see the comments that you have all posted. There is a flip-side to the coin, and this has been an eye-opener for me. I feel horrible that there are people out there who are so insecure in themselves, that they have to project that on others.

My whole family will be there from June 2nd, thru June 9th, AND we will be at the MK on the 2nd. Maybe I'm wrong, and I love to get your opinions on this - but my husband and I did have a discussion on how to handle it if his daughter does mention something. Really, the only reason we even had that discussion, is because I don't want her to say anything that will cause someone else any discomfort.

(She doesn't live with us, and lives in a small, red-neck town, and I can't vouch for how she's being raised, and I think that has everything to do with how accepting you are of others, no matter what the differences are.)

We just simply figured if she asked, we say that they're holding hands (or whatever) because they love each other. If she asks more questions we'll use it as an opportunity to show her that we have no problem with it and she shouldn't either. Of course she may not even ask. Who knows?

So, if you see a family of five, one daughter with two colors of hair (we're sort of hard to miss), stop and say hello!

 

[easleygrls]

And WOW! I just noticed your name/location. I'm originally from Anderson. Hi, neighbor!

Ahhhh! So you know where I'm coming from with the "Y'all sisters?" comments

 

[lillielil]

Ahhhh! So you know where I'm coming from with the "Y'all sisters?" comments

Unfortunately, yes. We get quite a bit of that here in Virginia too. In college (before we were dating) we used to say "Yes! We are twins/sisters/whatever!" and we thought it was a lot of fun. Now that we're married, it's just creepy. I don't think we look alike, but we're about the same height/build, which I guess is enough for a lot of people to conclude that we must be kin. Yuck.

 

[SkyMedik]

Am_I_There_Yet - Your post was very uplifting for me. Thank you. I will now promise to refrain from berating any evil doers I encounter.

It means so very much to me and many others that you are so open-minded in bringing your daughter. I imagine answering those kinds of questions must be tough on you, and it speaks wonders of your character. Please, please - if you see anything inappropriate, report it. Gays need to be held to the same standards of conduct as anyone else - no excuses. I wish your family a wonderful trip, and if I ever see you in the Kingdom I'll buy you an ice cream

 

[easleygrls]

my husband and I did have a discussion on how to handle it if his daughter does mention something.

Maybe you can feel her out ahead of time, kind of prep her for what she might see. How old is she? When it comes up, we talk about how there are many different types of families...most have a Mom & Dad, but some have 2 Moms, 2 Dads, some only one, or none etc. I bet you will mostly encounter couples without kids though. So, maybe you can have the talk about some boys like other boys/girls like other girls (keeping it age appropriate, of course!) and this week a lot of those boys & girls (men & women, whatever) are having a huge Disney party!

I remember when I was about DD's age my Dad having a talk with me & DBro when a relative kept using the N word. He said that while we couldn't keep my aunt from using that language, in our house we didn't use that word or believe the things she did. Maybe you could try that if any bad raisin' by her redneck relatives pops up.

 

[lillielil]

1) I love this thread now.
2) I wish I had kids right now so that I could have a gentle little talk with them about how some kids have a mommy and a daddy, and that's ok, and that they're a family as long as they love each other.

 

[gcrw11]

First time posting on this thread also. I am a straight married woman with 2 sons. We have a few gay relatives and to me, they are my family. Period. My kids have never asked questions about why Chris is with another guy, he's always been around my kids with other male friends. My sons just accept this. Anyone teaching thier kids differently should be ashamed of themselves. You don't choose to be straight or gay, so if you teach your child all thier young lives it's wrong, what will happen one day when they come home and say they are gay? Not a great relationship in thier adult lives I would assume. I would be sad for my kids if they came home and told me that they were gay, but it's because I would worry about the idiots in the world that would treat them badly. I would be sad that my grandchildren would always have people giving them dirty looks for something that has nothing to do with them.
We will be in DW in 2 weeks and if you are there, I promise you the only time I would stare is if you had something on your face or something inappropriate on your shirt. By all means hold each others hands, we do.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Am_I_There_Yet - Your post was very uplifting for me. Thank you. I will now promise to refrain from berating any evil doers I encounter.

It means so very much to me and many others that you are so open-minded in bringing your daughter. I imagine answering those kinds of questions must be tough on you, and it speaks wonders of your character. Please, please - if you see anything inappropriate, report it. Gays need to be held to the same standards of conduct as anyone else - no excuses. I wish your family a wonderful trip, and if I ever see you in the Kingdom I'll buy you an ice cream

Actually it's daughter(s). I have three of them, but the older ones are mine and I raised 'em right! They both have numerous gay friends, of both gender.

They've never bat an eyelash at their friend's sexual orientation. Never got into drugs either! I'd have to say it's the one thing I know I did right!

It's the little one I'm concerned about. I don't know what she's been told, or hasn't been told.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Maybe you can feel her out ahead of time, kind of prep her for what she might see. How old is she? When it comes up, we talk about how there are many different types of families...most have a Mom & Dad, but some have 2 Moms, 2 Dads, some only one, or none etc. I bet you will mostly encounter couples without kids though. So, maybe you can have the talk about some boys like other boys/girls like other girls (keeping it age appropriate, of course!) and this week a lot of those boys & girls (men & women, whatever) are having a huge Disney party!

She turns nine a few days before we leave. She's at that "I'm so cool" stage and I've heard her make some pretty ignorant comments before, but I think it's stuff she's picked up in school.

I actually did want to talk to her ahead of time, but then that brought up the issue of her going home and talking to her mother about it, and then we'd have no control over the situation. I have no idea how her mother would react. I don't know her that well.

I figure if we went and answered any questions as/if they came up, then she'd learn a good life lesson and we would know for a fact that it wouldn't be bigoted. I'm not saying her mother is a bigot by any means, I just would rather not find out the hard way, and her go with preconceived notions. KWIM?

Those are great suggestions on how to bring it up. Much more eloquent than my "because they love each other"!

I remember when I was about DD's age my Dad having a talk with me & DBro when a relative kept using the N word. He said that while we couldn't keep my aunt from using that language, in our house we didn't use that word or believe the things she did. Maybe you could try that if any bad raisin' by her redneck relatives pops up.

Another great way of approaching it! Thanks so much! I'm so glad I stopped in here!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

2) I wish I had kids right now so that I could have a gentle little talk with them about how some kids have a mommy and a daddy, and that's ok, and that they're a family as long as they love each other.

That's what drove me to post in the first place.

Here are all these straight people worrying about what their innocent kids are going to get exposed to at the parks, and then I read about gay park goers who have to worry about the stupid comments straight people make in front of their kids.

It's just all so stupid!

There are two sides to every coin, and your statement reflects that perfectly! To your children, you will be the normal family and we'll be the odd ones. I never thought about that! I wonder how many gay couples instill heterosexual hatred to their kids?

 

[PghLybrt]

My answer is yes , yes , yes oh and yes.

Unfortunately Disney is no exception from what we encounter in everyday life. Now I have never had anything but very pleasant to downright heartfelt experiences with any of the cast members. I have run into trouble with other guests however. From things ranging from comments made at us at the California Grill (how dare we have adult conversation and hold hands over a dinner at 10 at night) to people pulling cast members aside to get us kicked out of the bathroom (I mean my girl could have been a man in the bathroom!!!!) With that said we have never experienced the kind of violence that we have at home nor have we heard remarks as severe.


Would it ever stop me from going? Not a chance…does anything?

 

[Boston5602]

I remember when I was about DD's age my Dad having a talk with me & DBro when a relative kept using the N word. He said that while we couldn't keep my aunt from using that language, in our house we didn't use that word or believe the things she did. Maybe you could try that if any bad raisin' by her redneck relatives pops up.

We have to do the same thing with my dad. We tell the girls thats the way he thinks about it , but we know differently ! ( notice I did not say better , even though we do know better !!!!!

I have not seen anything terrible in the parks in regards to pda's except for from kids , either straight or gay . I honestly feel so warm and included during gay days , if anyone has stared or something to me I never noticed . At least it doesn't stand out in my mind.

 

[mickeymousemom]

Am I There Yet...

Your posts are very well put. I lurk over here every so often(haven't posted in MONTHS) just to see what's going on. We will also be down during gay days and I have no worries. I have 3 DD's. They range in age from 3-17. We're an open-minded family and I do my best to talk to my kids about ANY differences they may see in ANYONE as they grow. When my 3 yo sees 2 people of the same sex holding hands, etc. I will tell her what I tell my others: Sometimes two men or two women love each other. No biggie. Sometimes kids live with 2 mommies or 2 daddies. No biggie there either. I have no doubt she'll grow up thinking that these scenarios are perfectly normal. I don't tolerate intolerance very well. I hate that this is even an issue, period.