Anyone encountered any anti-gay hostility-updated!

[odd1]

I'll never look at that ride the same way again.

oh, don't act like you've never done that!!!!

 

[ConcKahuna]

And don't forget to wave to the infra-red cameras while you go through there!! If you look towards the back of the vehicle, you can see them as you pass by.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

oh, don't act like you've never done that!!!!

Are you kidding me? I've never been able to go to WDW without my kids. Give me time...

 

[PrincessJasmine]

I haven't been to Disney with her yet so not at Disney I haven't. But everywhere else? Sure! We can't go anywhere without at least one person staring. Sometimes we get comments called out to us but more often than not it's teenaged boys thinking they're being funny. Although two teenage boys did harass us at Busch Gardens this past February, going so far as to follow us around.

 

[cybertheo]

And if you miss your chance to make out on the Tommorrowland Transit Authority there is always the Haunted Mansion. But then you have to ride it again because you missed all the other cool stuff that goes on in there.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

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.

The best thing I have EVER heard from a child regarding two uncles, who were a couple:

Other Child (in bewildered/half-disgusted tone): "Why is your Uncle John holding that guy's hand?"
Awesomely Funny Kid (in dang-you're-stupid tone): "Because he likes guys, and that is his boyfriend. DUH!"

This kid was seriously irritated that his friend was so clueless!

 

[Joevn]

I've been to Disney several times with my boyfriend and we've never encountered anything negative from other guests or cast members in regards to our sexuality. Then again, we aren't the types to hold hands in public and whatnot. I must say, though, the cast at Disney has been great. This one guy who was helping us with our luggage obviously figured us out and told us about Mannequins at Pleasure Island on Thurs night. And during our last trip, the lady checking us in was able to switch us to a king bed room at the Pop Century which are, at least in my experience, very hard to come by.

 

[hematite153]

I don't think we've had anyone SAY anything directly at us. But I have seen several families wearing t-shirts with homophobic and derogatory comments on them.

We also had one depressing (humourous in retrospect) encounter on the "family" issue. My DW has a skin disorder that makes it impossible for her to do the walking involved in a wdw vacation. (She tried once on a half-day and then couldn't walk at all for the rest of the week.) So, in order to make the parks accessible, I push her in a w/c most of the time. One day, we were trying to move in at SSR right after they had cleaned the halls. The floor was wet and VERY slippery. I tripped and twisted my ankle while attempting to push and carry bags simultaneously. Later, a woman who had seen this said to my DW, "you need to get a motorized w/c or your daughter is going to have a heart attack." We were both so thrown we had essentially no response. Yes, my DW is older than I am, but only by 6 years! She doesn't even have gray hair yet!

 

[SeattleRedBear]

We are a couple of fun bear types that look like brothers and thanks to years of hanging out together have simular mannerisms. So when we get asked "are you two related" or "are you brothers" the easy answer is yes, it saves time, I am often not in the mood to educate.

DHB & I are the same height (tall) and build (big) but otherwise really don't look alike, but we get that question ALL the time. I know I will never say it (because I know the question is coming from a good place) but one time I just want to say NO, WE'RE NOT BROTHERS....WE'RE LOVERS!!!! BWA-HA-HA-HA

 

[easleygrls]

Well, we are halfway through our visit, and have nothing but an awesome time so far! As a matter of fact, we have had many CMs go out of their way to make things more magical for us (imagine that!).

We had some CMs who, with a wink & a nod, told us they could squeeze just one more kid in for a character signing, or came up to us out of the blue and gave us some tips or heads up about things that were going to happen. If I could only find one to buy DD's souvies!!

 

[Tinkmom]

I had to say that as a resident of a southern state I am not thrilled with the use of "redneck" repeatedly to describe apparently every anti-gay bigot on the planet. Just to be sure that I wasn't too confused on the issue, I went to Merriam to check the definition of redneck. It said: "redneck: 1 sometimes disparaging : a white member of the Southern rural laboring class; 2 often disparaging : a person whose behavior and opinions are similar to those attributed to rednecks."

First, let me make it perfectly clear that I think that any anti-gay comments are ridiculous and agree that anyone who teaches their child to hate any group is very, very wrong. But I personally know people who are literally rednecks, i.e., white folks who live in rural areas of the south who are part of the laboring class. Plenty of them are kind, open-minded people who admit to being rednecks. Along the same lines, there are many people from the northeast, midwest, west coast, etc. who are bigoted, including some who consider themselves quite "sophisticated".

Maybe it wouldn't hurt to step back and realize that painting any entire group of people with a very broad, very negative brush is wrong.

 

[FamilyGuy]

Maybe it wouldn't hurt to step back and realize that painting any entire group of people with a very broad, very negative brush is wrong.

Good Point. And if I might say so myself, it's in an appropriately fitting thread!

 

[Rence]

The most anti-gay hostility that I experience in my life is in some of the discussions here on the disboards - most of the community here is wonderful but in some of the discussions (especially on the community board) there is some astounding ignorance and bigotry displayed.

 

[PghLybrt]

I had to say that as a resident of a southern state I am not thrilled with the use of "redneck" repeatedly to describe apparently every anti-gay bigot on the planet. Just to be sure that I wasn't too confused on the issue, I went to Merriam to check the definition of redneck. It said: "redneck: 1 sometimes disparaging : a white member of the Southern rural laboring class; 2 often disparaging : a person whose behavior and opinions are similar to those attributed to rednecks."

First, let me make it perfectly clear that I think that any anti-gay comments are ridiculous and agree that anyone who teaches their child to hate any group is very, very wrong. But I personally know people who are literally rednecks, i.e., white folks who live in rural areas of the south who are part of the laboring class. Plenty of them are kind, open-minded people who admit to being rednecks. Along the same lines, there are many people from the northeast, midwest, west coast, etc. who are bigoted, including some who consider themselves quite "sophisticated".

Maybe it wouldn't hurt to step back and realize that painting any entire group of people with a very broad, very negative brush is wrong.

Sorry but that post really irked me. Once again any comment (or action ) negatively about a gay person is in no way as important as a negative comment about someone else. That is what I got from the post. What I highlighted should have been the first sentiment and maybe it would have come off better.

While I am not a fan of using derogatory names with anyone I think the term “redneck” has become associated with a certain type of person, not just southern. In fact many people now walk around in t shirts, with bumper stickers and what not saying how proud they are to be one.

I know you didn’t mean any offense by the post. However from my standpoint it was offensive, this wasn't a thread about "rednecks" it was a thread about gay hostility which you thought was not as important as the whole "redneck" reference. At least that is the way I read it.

 

[Tinkmom]

Sorry but that post really irked me. Once again any comment (or action ) negatively about a gay person is in no way as important as a negative comment about someone else.

Not AT ALL! I don't see how you got there! If you go back to the first page it is repeatedly redneck redneck redneck to describe these bigots. That bothered me, and prompted my post. I certainly didn't think nor I think in any way said or intimated that "...any comment (or action) negatively about a gay person is in no way as important as a negative comment about someone else." What?? I found it ironic and offensive that people were doing the same sort of thing about which they complain, that is, using a term to describe a group (whether they believe now twisted to mean something new so okey dokey to use derogatively) about another group.

While I am not a fan of using derogatory names with anyone I think the term “redneck” has become associated with a certain type of person, not just southern. In fact many people now walk around in t shirts, with bumper stickers and what not saying how proud they are to be one.

Do you view that as saying that they are proud to be bigots? Maybe some but I know that there are plenty of these people who are just trying to say that they know they aren't sophisticated, they are simple folk and are okay with that and not trying to pretend to be more. There isn't any reason to be ashamed to be a farmer in Mississippi with only a high school degree, for instance; they should not automatically feel inferior to someone from a large city with multiple college degrees. I think they get to "claim the term" and when someone comes along and uses that term to describe anyone who is anti-gay then that isn't right. The actual term simply refers to the rural labor class, and clumping hateful bigots in with all of them is not fair IMHO. Again, there are plenty of bigots who are well-educated (at some level!), financially well off and from urban and surburban areas. So why the continual reference to those who express anti-gay sentiments as rednecks? If you are not a fan of using derogatory terms then join the club and perhaps you can see the reason for my post. I don't think I have to prioritize what wrong is more wrong. I saw something that bothered me and wanted to express that.

I know you didn’t mean any offense by the post. However from my standpoint it was offensive, this wasn't a thread about "rednecks" it was a thread about gay hostility which you thought was not as important as the whole "redneck" reference. At least that is the way I read it.

See my first response. Sorry that you feel that way and I am a bit disappointed that you won't step back and even attempt to see my point.

 

[Tinkmom]

Originally Posted by Tinkmom
Maybe it wouldn't hurt to step back and realize that painting any entire group of people with a very broad, very negative brush is wrong.

Good Point. And if I might say so myself, it's in an appropriately fitting thread!

Thanks!

 

[dennis-in-ct]

I posted my trip report on laughing place .com and just had a comment.

ladypirate said ...
"Maybe that was a little harsh but why do Gays feel the need to tell everyone and show everyone that they are gay. Can't you just keep it private like most people do. I don't get it! Why does Disney promote Gay Day? "


I wrote:
"well ... THAT's a fine how-do-youdo?

Let me guess ... you support President Bush’s recent nomination of Dr. James Holsinger as surgeon general and other hateful bigots?"



and I got a response that said:
"No, I just hate the way you gays push your agenda on America, keep it to yourself that's all we ask, we don't care about your life style."




I lost it ... and wrote back ....
"<<< Can't you just keep it private like most people do >>>

Because we do not have the laws in place to recognize and protect our civil rights.

There are bigots who see being gay as a behavoir and not an attribute. I cannot go a shrink and pay money for sessions and say "fix me" It doesn't work like that.



Gays today are fighting for civil rights just as black people did in the 60s.

We cannot be driven down by hate and accept being second class citizens because we make people uncomfortable. Do you know it was only 40 years ago that black and white people were allowed to marry? Can you imagine something like that had to be fought in the supreme court???

Why were black people made to sit in the back of the bus? Drink from a different water fountain? Not allowed to go to schools with the whites?

Why?

Because they were different and made people uncomfortable. Other's felt they were better. And black people are no different than anyone else. And they know it and fought for laws to protect them.


Gay people make other people uncomfortable too. It is sad and true. There are hateful out there who think we should be killed and dragged by cars just as Mathew Sheppard was. Why? Well, he was just a queer. Nice.


Don't under estimate the rights and privillages you have as a citizen. You don't realize it until someone WITHOUT those rights reminds you of what you have.

We gays need the laws in place for us. Until that happens, we are not sitting back and being quiet so YOU can feel comfortable.

<< I just hate the way you gays push your agenda on America >>

You mean equal rights. Oh yeah. That's bad.

You need to be educated. You need to learn how NOT to be a bigot. You need to learn you are part of a global community and Gay people exisit because they do.

Science and American Psychological Association have made offical statements on the matter back in 1975.

For you to tell me I don't deserve *my* civil rights is frightening.


You sound like you would fit nicely in the bigoted era of the 60's and a good NAZI sending everyone who isn't YOU to die - because they are different.... yeah ... way to be a citizen ... nice....




<<< it to yourself that's all we ask, we don't care about your life style. >>


Who is *we* ???
You mean ignorant bigots?


---------------------------------




I really love that the disboards has a forum specifically for gay and lesbian.

Thanks! This is very nice indeed


Dennis

 

[Tinkmom]

Dennis,

You know, sadly, I figure people like that are pretty much hopeless. The funny (not haha) part is that when I see that sort of close-mindedness it is often because this person has a family member who is gay and/or their have some concern about their own sexuality, and they are SO in denial and SO afraid of some sort of, I don't know, taint or backlash from others.

Part of my ex's family was so freaky about this sort of thing. There were a few who, at large family gatherings, made negative comments about gay people. I was floored because there are 3 family members who attend every gathering who are gay. They just sort of rolled their eyes and ignored it. I found out that they never OPENLY stated their sexual orientation, so some family just pretended it was otherwise. WHO CARES? Would they love these people less for their sexual orientation? Just bizarre. But the gay members of the family asked me to also ignore the comments, because they felt there would be no progress in getting those to understand and accept, and it would just cause problems for them. I never "outed" anyone, but couldn't help but let my general feelings be known when those, and other bigoted remarks were made.

I did see the point, though, that it was like beating your head against the wall to try to get anywhere. Then my ex BIL who went on a rant about gay people and I was more or less dragged from the room before I could ask how he could not be aware that his own father is gay. Logic and compassion seem to be excluded from their discussions of the subject. Very frustrating . . .

 

[Ex Cast Member]

I'm gay and a redneck!
Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia (ok, In LA now but once a redneck, always a redneck). Some of the hottest guys are rednecks!

Mmmmm Pick up trucks!

 

[dennis-in-ct]

Hi tinkmom - very nicely put indeed!!

My "civil-union" husband had a former life. he was married 26 years and has three beautiful daughters who all love their Dad. At our wedding, they stood up for him and my two brothers and Dad stood up for me.

His youngest daughter ( 16 ) stays with us every weekend, holiday and summer. I have learned first hand that LOVE really does make a family. She wrote a paper about people sticking up for their rights - she wrote about us.

When I hear that and how many schools today have gay/straight allience groups, I have hope that gay people will be successful in gaining equality.


It amazes me the hate and bigotry people have. *sigh* ...

Here's to a PRIDE!! and I will be going to the Rhode Island pride this weekend and NYC pride the following weekend .. don't you just LOVE June