Avoiding Gay Days- Not bashing the weekend just have kids and need help

[tommycairns]

A little late coming back to this thread, however, I think that I would be correct in the belief that Disney is all about tolerance, understanding and love for our fellow man. This is what the "magic" is all about, there is no room in this creed for hate, fear, exclusion and bigotry. It is this that continually oils the slippery slope that leads back to the dark ages, or even a period of darkness not so long ago.
I have three wonderful children, with whom I communicate on a meaningful level. I do not need to protect them from concepts, I need to educate them, and by doing so they will grow to better understand and appreciate this diverse world in which we live.
As for AIDS, the last journal article I read indicated that on the North American continent, incidence of infection is currently higher in the heterosexual population. To make allusion that AIDS is a gay disease is very irresponsible, and gives "straights" a false sense of security.
For the record, I love my fellow man, with whom I choose to have sex, that is no ones business but my own.
Enjoy Disney for what it is, but leave the preconceptions in the parking lot.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I completely agree with Dakota Lynn and JadeDarkstar. It is unfortunate these days that discrimination exists. I'm quite sure that Oregonkids did not mean to offend anyone with her remarks. But if she knew when the gay days were on, and wanted to avoid them, it would have made more sense to plan around it better. The way I view it is that her kids will be eventually exposed to people of all colour, race, etc. It is better to explain it to them young than try to deal with it when they are older. And teach them to respect all people regardless of religion, race, colour etc. Wouldn't it be a kinder, gentler earth if we all accepted each other despite our differences?

 

[flyinshirer]

 

[50sjayne]

Lol-- I'm with ya on this, I'm in Eugene ;-) To tell the truth it's refreshing to see this thread as our vacation was canned due to husbands lay off, but we almost considered not re-planning trip because Disneyland seems to have become such a bastion for conservatives. Honestly I think we'd totally enjoy going during gay days (now that I think about it)-- more cool people around ;-) When we got our planning tape we were sort of watching in horror- I think we'd feel a bit like the Addams family there these days. We're big fans of old Disney-- when Walt was still alive. BTW I love Seattle it is my favorite city. Also this board has seemed awfully cheery and upbeat to me, I was surprised to see that this thread simply hadn't been killed-- right on. Personally in my opinion Christianity itself is one of the single most damaging institutions in the world. I have a beef with the religion itself not most of it's followers-- I don't think they truly understand how hateful and what a horrifying effect it has had on the world, the environment, animals, women/children. Really the only people who benefit are white males and most christians are women-- strange really. Boy original poster-- did you open a can of worms.

 

[50sjayne]

Oh wow, a woman goes to sleep for a few hours and there’s tons to catch up on! Thanks a lot to those who have supported what I have had to say. I was beginning to wonder about the Disneyland board!



Oftentimes when people stand up against discrimination, they are told that they themselves are not being tolerant either. I strongly disagree! We MUST be intolerant towards discrimination. If people hadn’t been intolerant against bigotry and insensitivity towards minority groups, where would women, blacks and other minority groups be today? If somebody started this thread, and substituted “black” for “gay” every single person on this thread would have responded with the passion I did. Why? Because it is overt discrimination. We are out of the dark ages. In 2008, we know that our kids are not in danger if a lot of African Americans show up at Disneyland!!! How did we get to this wonderful place in time where it is no longer acceptable to start a thread like this in regards to black people? Because people refused to allow it to happen without a fight. Because people called bigots on their behavior and ignorance. Being afraid of black people is stupid, as is being afraid of homosexual people. We all know that there was a time that people felt just as strong about their kids being around black people as they do having their kids around gay people. Someday, 20-30 years from now, people will look back and wonder why we could have allowed such useless bigotry to happen. But the only way we’ll get there is to refuse to tolerate it.

So to sum it up, it is inappropriate to not tolerate the vast majority of opinions or perspectives, whether it be in regards to religious beliefs or who you support for president. I strongly disagree with our current administration, but I respect people who do support Bush. Christianity is very much not for me, but I would fight to the death for other people’s rights to practice their religion. But when an opinion or belief oppresses a group of people who are doing NO HARM, that is different. I cannot and will not stand back and say nothing when somebody expresses an opinion that reduces them to something so bad that their kids need protected. As I have said, I do not believe the OP meant harm, but her words are the very words that send minorities backwards. Therefore opinions like that do not qualify for the same kind of tolerance that most opinions deserve. Oppressive words simply do not deserve tolerance.

The prednisone is for autoimmune diseases. I have lupus, RA and Sjögren’s Syndrome.

You think you got problems kid-- I'm an atheist-- IE the new 'gay' ;-) EVeryone hates me.

 

[dizzyami]

I am a bit scared throwing in a comment here without reading the entire thread - but I did want to add my comments.

I was in DL last year for gay days, just me and the two kids (DH was at a bird show in San Pedro and only stopped by for a bit at night time). It was a great time to go - I actually had some great conversations in line waiting for the rides and park opening - I saw nothing inappropriate - the lines were not that bad - and all guests were super nice and on great behaviour. Not once did my DD6 or DD4 ask a single question or think that a thing was out of the ordinary. There were a lot of people in red shirts - but that was it!!! They had a blast, and so did I. I would not hesitate to go back again during that time (we usually have a small break from school so it works great for the scheduling)

 

[blackjackdelta]

Taking a leap and assuming that a three year old at Disneyland would notice or care:

Child: Mommy, those two girls are holding hands.
Mom: Yes they are, they must like each other a lot.
Child: Can we ride Pirates of Caribbean again?

Child: Mommy, that guy kissed his friend.
Mom: Wow, they must be really, really good friends then!
Child: Mom, will you buy me some popcorn?

That is the extent of it. Kids don’t care nearly as much as YOU care. If it’s an older kid who can understand more:

Child: Mom, those two girls just kissed!
Mom: Yes, sometimes two boys or two girls love each other in the same way that me and Daddy love each other. There are many different kinds of families here at Disneyland!
Child: Oh. Where are we eating dinner today?

If it’s an older child, the kid may also possibly ask your views on the subject. If you’re not a bigot you simply say, “love is never wrong and there are many different ways to be a family.” If your religious beliefs make you uncomfortable with homosexuals, you can tell your child in a one sentence statement why you feel that way. I promise you, your kids will not care to make a big issue of it in the middle of Disneyland. They are going to be more interested in the rides, characters, foods, smells, buildings, other kids, and Halloween decorations if you're there in October.

But as I said earlier, I seriously doubt this is about the kids as much as it is about the parents' negative feelings. But I do agree with the previous poster; if you're uncomfortable with it, don't go. Nobody expects you to approve if you don't. But the OP's questions was a bit offensive in suggesting they have to protect their kids from gay people! Good grief! I seriously thought we were past the dark ages!

I agree.

I lived in Berkley and SoCal when I was going to college and experienced many different lifestyles and as my kids have grown older they have always been exposed to all lifestyles. My kids understand that eveyone does not follow the same path and the most negative responses seem to come from adults.
You probably get a more negative response if we all wore religoius and political tags out in the open.

Jack

 

[blackjackdelta]

You think you got problems kid-- I'm an atheist-- IE the new 'gay' ;-) EVeryone hates me.

I am sorry! (About your disease processes and that you can eventually get away with the pred,)If you look at the statistics you will find that most of the world do not believe in any religous persuit and even more say that they believe but do not practice. I work in Iraq and Afganistan for at least 6 months of every year and look where their beliefs have taken them. Terrorist are a minoirty with a big voice(FEAR). Most of these people want to live their lives not in fear but in freedom. Enough said.
Whether you agree with our troops, contractors,and others who are trying to help.

Bless them because in reality (which we try to escape from by going to DisneyLand) hopefully we will not have to deal with these issues here.

Jack

 

[kiwitravel]

Why the need for Gay Days? I have absolutely nothing against Gays and Lesbians and would only avoid Gay days because of the possible crowds but I wonder at the thinking behind the need for any "minority" day. Surely it further highlights divides as what has happened in this thread. If all minorities felt this way we would have a "day" every week, DL should be a place where bigotry, beliefs and race are left at the gate. I would feel the same way whether it was a "Heterosexual", "Blacks", "White" or otherwise day. I am happy to support gay pride in fundraising events and have never felt the need to "explain" gays or Lesbians to my children, just as I haven't had to explain mixed marriages or any other bigotted ideals. They don't deserve explaination and it is surely a sign of progress that kids are growing up not needing to question such things and are just accepting them.

Probably the only explanation I would have to give my kids is "why a gay day?" At this point I couldn't answer that one....

 

[PrincessSitka]

I am truely receiving an education on here.

 

[stitchon]

Interesting that you mentioned Harry Potter. I was at a midnight book sale with my daughter once and somebody was in the store handing Bibles out to people preaching about how we're all gonna go to hell for buying the book. Yee haw!

Yep, at least I know that I'll have a ton of company when I go!

I'm 14 and I find Gay and Lesbian people to be nicer and more accepting than others, I hang out with gay people sometimes and I don't care.

 

[Etoile]

Speaking as a gay person, I don't mind the OP's question at all. Being tolerant of diversity means you are also tolerant of people who simply don't care to see certain things. If somebody wants to avoid Gay Days, that's entirely up to them. In fact, I thought the question was asked about as nicely as possible. Unfortunately I don't have an answer to their question, but I did want to contribute that I think the question was perfectly fine.

Oh, and I wish somebody had told me that atheism was the new gay. I've been atheist for years and I have yet to feel persecuted as a result. Quick, somebody insult me!

 

[Padstack]

Oh, and I wish somebody had told me that atheism was the new gay. I've been atheist for years and I have yet to feel persecuted as a result. Quick, somebody insult me!

You made me lol on this quote. I've had the occasional double take when telling someone that I am atheist and that is usually followed by "oh, okay." Then onto the next subject. Not once have I felt like a second class citizen or been "atheist bashed."

 

[blackjackdelta]

WOW, I am amazed at the number of responses.

Jack

 

[missmonkey]

Why the need for Gay Days?

Gay Days is not an official Disneyland function. I imagine that, like any day for people of any affiliation, it was started by people who belong to this particular group as a day to enjoy the park together.

As I said in an earlier post, if we weren't wearing our red shirts, you wouldn't know us. Well, gaydar aside (mine's rusty), we don't know who we are, either, some of the time! It's really fun telling people at work or school about your plans to go to Gay Days and finding out that they or their friends and neighbors will be there, too. It's not only about finding out who identifies as GLBT. It's also hearing about cool people such as one woman who not only went through with her plans to visit the park for the weekend, but dressed herself, her hubby and infant in matching red shirts to show their support for the very real political and social struggles of the GLBT community. That's cool!

Have you ever belonged to a team or a club that went out to dinner together or just got together to hang out on a regular basis? Isn't it fun to see who's on your side? Don't you feel proud when you're part of a big, fun group? Well, that's kind of what it's like at Gay Days. For a day or two, we can hang out, see who we are and have a great time.

Why Gay Days? Why not?

 

[Etoile]

GREAT post missmonkey! And my gaydar is faulty too, I think.

 

[mariezp]

My only wonder is...where in Oregon (oregonkids being the name) does this first-time, never-came-back, poster......

Perhaps running for the hills? I doubt that she got the warm welcome she was hoping for. Not sure if she got the answer she was looking for as the thread kinda took on a new life of it's own.

I'll take another shot at another answer to her question just in case she is lurking in the shadows. If she has turned shy from posting on the board, I welcome her to PM me because I really hate for her to feel unwelcome. I'd be glad to offer some words of encouragement. We have all been new posters and it never hurts to feel regardless of difference of opinions.

We have actually attended on Gay days and it was no different from a regular day, except for the red shirts. I believe we attended one of the years when it was just getting started because I don't remember it being all that overly crowded. From reports more recently attendance has grown quite a bit. Everyone was extremely nice and there were no PDAs, that I can recall.

You are making a good decision going during the week, simply to avoid the weekend crowd. We always plan our dates to take in as few Saturdays and Sundays as possible, and certainly avoid holidays and any known days that it is likely to be crowded, regardless of the group in attendance.

 

[kiwitravel]

Have you ever belonged to a team or a club that went out to dinner together or just got together to hang out on a regular basis? Isn't it fun to see who's on your side? Don't you feel proud when you're part of a big, fun group? Well, that's kind of what it's like at Gay Days. For a day or two, we can hang out, see who we are and have a great time.

Why Gay Days? Why not?

Of course, I have been part of clubs etc but I see this as something totally different to that. This is a population minority seeking to further separatise itself willfully. I apologise if I'm not expressing myself in an understandable manner and cause anyone any offense, I just feel the sooner that all people feel there is no need for a Gay day the better. Wouldn't society be a better place if we accepted people as people and don't seek to label or pidgeon-hole them by ethnicity, sexual orientation or religous belief. A sign of this is in my own country where in all government forms where you must fill in ethnicity they have the option now of just "New Zealander", whilst I would be classed as "European" in origin my great grand parents and later were born in this country, I see proudly see myself as nothing but a kiwi.

 

[Etoile]

Of course, I have been part of clubs etc but I see this as something totally different to that. This is a population minority seeking to further separatise itself willfully. I apologise if I'm not expressing myself in an understandable manner and cause anyone any offense, I just feel the sooner that all people feel there is no need for a Gay day the better. Wouldn't society be a better place if we accepted people as people and don't seek to label or pidgeon-hole them by ethnicity, sexual orientation or religous belief. A sign of this is in my own country where in all government forms where you must fill in ethnicity they have the option now of just "New Zealander", whilst I would be classed as "European" in origin my great grand parents and later were born in this country, I see proudly see myself as nothing but a kiwi.

I really don't see Gay Day as any different from a large club. Perhaps instead of "separate" the word you could use is "celebrate" - we want to celebrate who we are, be with people like us, etc. It's not about ghettoizing ourselves by only going on "designated" days - there are gay people at Disney 365 days a year! - but it's about celebrating ourselves and feeling comfortable around people like us.

And actually, there is an amusement park near me (not Disney) that has a Muslim Day. It's not different from any other day - plenty of non-Muslims go on that day, but of course they understand they will be seeing more Muslims there than usual, with a lot more head scarfs and the occasional full black covering. They come from many different mosques around the region. How is that different from a Gay Day?

Yes, it would be wonderful if everybody accepted everybody regardless of race, ethnicity, orientation, religion, etc. But the fact is that they don't. Life isn't like that. It's especially not like that at a "family" place, where people from certain backgrounds consider homosexuality an abomination and don't want to expose their children to it. "Sure, they can have their bars," these people might say, "but why do they have to come to a place where my KIDS are?"

 

[Zoemakes5]

I have not read the entire thread, yet.
I do want to point out that being in So.Cal, I've seen just about every type of PDA at DLR and other family amusement parks. I've seen everything from hand holding to deep throat kisses and groping. Especially in the "older" rides at night. I have to say, the teens/twenty somethings are the worst as far as appropriate boundaries. While I've seen lesbian and gay couples who I could clearly identify as couples, the amount and level of PDA has been much much more understated, as far as I'm concerned.

And, in support of our gay and lesbian members of the DisBoard, I think members have to be very careful of pointing out a "group" of people with concern in a post and then couch it with "but I don't mean to offend". Sometimes asking the question in that way can offend.....

An example, had OP said "I've heard that around certain events, like grad nights, gay days, and (hypothetically) Harley days, that there is an increase in PDA's that I'm concerned at having my children around as I'm uncomfortable exposing my children to what I consider private moments for adults." That seems like a reasonable question that isn't meant to hurt anyone.....just general concern about other members experience with increased PDA's, not a concern about GAY or LESBIAN PDA's, which the OP narrowed in on.