Carefully read entire post before replying because...

[Wendybird55]

I find these threads very interesting and think it's great that, for the most part, we can have a controlled, intelligent "converstation" about a "hot topic".

Putting aside all personal beliefs and issues I think it comes down to timing.

Is the first week of Sept. the BEST week for your family to go DW? Are there other options? Are these options of time better or worse? There's probably something "bad" about anytime you go to Disney- crowd levels, weather, special events, closed rides, etc. So we all try to pick the time that works best for our family and schedules

I'm going the 1st week of Sept. The crowds should be small, but I know it can be very hot, very humid and chances of rain. Not my ideal weather conditions, BUT workwise for both DH and me this is the best week.

So, though I prefer November, I'm going in Sept. with heat & humidity because it's the best time for me to go. And I'm sure I will enjoy myself.

So if the first week of Sept. is by far the best week to go - then go. You and your family will have a great time and understanding about Gay Days will help you navigate your trip.
If there is another time you can go that is equally as good as the first week of June then you may want to consider going then if it would make you and your family feel a bit more comfortable.

 

[Goofy'slady]

When I'm in WDW I consider myself to be GAY and so is my husband, our 2 beautiful daughters, my BFF, oh and my mum is GAY too. Doesn't the word GAY mean- happy and joyful? Since that is the only definition that comes to mind when I hear the word GAY then I fit that to a T and so does everybody else including yourself....you're in Disney World for heaven sakes you can't help but be GAY!

Go, and have a wonderful time and stop looking for negative stuff to ruin your holiday.

T.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

This is actually an interesting topic. I never knew Gay Week was such a big thing (I have never been). My question is does Disney get involved with this? Is there any type of special theme in throughout the parks to symbolize Gay Week?

It is not sponsored by Disney and Disney does not get involved.

Universal does get involved or used to anyway, I don't know. I did some research when I was planning a June trip a few years ago. So I don't know if Universal still sponsors some in park events.

 

[asmit4]

This is actually an interesting topic. I never knew Gay Week was such a big thing (I have never been). My question is does Disney get involved with this? Is there any type of special theme in throughout the parks to symbolize Gay Week?

Yes, "gay week" is a big week at DW. They tend to wear red shirts as a sign of tolerance, acceptance etc. No, to my knowledge DW does not get involved. YES, DW knows about the week. YES, DW knows they will probably be doing marriages that week- you heard correctly- they do marriage ceremonies for gay couples year round- not legal of course. (as in the marriage won't be legally binding).

 

[Sleeping Becca]

I failed to realize this earlier, but it sounds as though this week is also Star Wars weekend? Wow, what does that do to crowds?

Do these events only occur at DHS?

Are there lots of people in costume? I love Star Wars, but it's not a Disney movie and to be honest it would spoil things just a bit to see non-Disney characters in the parks.

I said I wouldn't spare with you over my beliefs, but here goes - how is not condoning homosexuality intolerant and unloving? Please look up the defination of "condone". Does "not condoning" in any way involve hatred, bigotry, etc.? I said I don't condone homosexuality - notice I didn't say homosexuals. How could I "not condone" a fellow human being?

Star Wars Weekends are AWESOME!

There is a parade with the Star Wars Characters, and the characters are out and about in the parks, concentrated around Star Tours of course. There are character meet and greets, trivia contests, special merchandise etc. The Stormtroopers are the absolute best, they mess with the guests and stand guard atop the entrance gates, they "arrest" people, it is great fun.

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

Mouseaholic!!! Your stories are cracking me up!

OP-You'll see a lot of red shirts. You'll be more aware of same sex couples (that you would ordinarily overlook simply b/c you'll know what week it is). The crowds will be steadily increasing that week simply b/c more schools are released for summer. You can check for the designated GD park for the day, and when you make your touring plan simply plan around it. The PDA is not the norm--but again, you'll be more aware of it simply b/c you'll know what week it is.

OP--if you decide to change your dates, go sooner rather than later. I'd much rather enjoy my time at WDW during GD than during the sweltering, overcrowded days later in the month (and beyond.) Also, ask yourself, "WWJD?" I don't think He'd change his vacay plans to avoid a certain group of people. I think He would go. I don't think anyone would think He (or you) was condoning anything, except maybe what a wonderfully talented man His Father made in Uncle Walt!

Good luck in your planning, and have fun!

I usually stay out of these topics because they are usually very hateful and turn into a Christian vs. nonChristian fight. However, I read this post and the highlighted statement stuck out. I too am a Christian and completely agree with the highlighted statement. For too long Christians have acted as if they are forbidden to be around homosexual people, drunk people, drug addicts or anything else we consider "sinful". Fact is, Jesus hung out with "sinners". He despised the "religious" crowd. Jesus was about love and while He did not condone sin by any means, he didn't stop loving them either. As I recall, we are "all sinners and fall short of the glory of God". Their sin of homosexuality is no more than my sin over over eating so who am I to judge?

I said all of that to say that Christians need to stop their judgemental ways and start loving people again. I am sick of being associated with the clinic bombers and homosexual haters. Being a Christian means to be Christ like...those people are not Christ like.

I will now step off of my soap box and apologize for interrupting the thread...

 

[TessieA]

My family went two years in a row during Gay Week. The first year we did not realize until we were there. The second year, that was the week that fit into our plans the best. My advice is to avoid MK the day they are going there. The crowds were horrendous that day. Other than that, we didn't have any problems. Sure, the kids had a few questions, but it was all fine.

 

[qv09vvp]

I didn't say I would be offended. Re-read the original post.

As to "sad this topic exists in 2008" - huh? Why can't I ask a quesiton about a particular week at Disney the same as anyone else? What about all of the "is Christmas week busy?" posts? This question happens to be about Gay Days week. I don't know any other way to ask. I tried to explain in my original post that this was not directed at anyone - I'M JUST TRYING TO GET INFO!!!

Because you are asking, I'm going to assume you guys will be ok because you have an open mind already. We went last year during that time, our families outlooks seem to be similar ..so here is my take...you will notice almost no difference...EXCEPT at MK on the designated day...... not so much in the other parks to even draw your attention..... MK day is a little different... Don't do hall of presidents that day for sure.....don't wear red...and don't bring anything to your kids attention...my kids were caught up in Disney to notice anything of consequence except the hall of presidents boo'ing & hissing..... we left after that ....but the rest of the week had been perfect!

Enjoy!

 

[kakiegirl]

OP I had some of the same concerns you did because of some of the things I read on line about Gay Days. I don't care if it is Gay Day, hetrosexual days or Night of Joy I do not want to see alot of over the top displays anytime but especially not at Disneyworld I go there to escape reality and enjoy spending time with my family. My DH and I have decided that the first week in June is the week we are going to go next year. We went the third week in June this year and it just seems the later in June you get the more crowded it gets. Last year our vacation started on the last days of Gay Days our first Saturday there was the day MK was the park of the day. We went to Epcot that A.M. and besides seeing some groups of red shirts we saw nothing out of the ordinary and crowds were not bad. We actually were in front of a group of about 10 men on Test Track that all had on red shirts so I will assume they were probably particpants but if I hadn't known it was Gay Days I woudn't even have noticed it except to wonder why are all these men dressed alike. We actually went to MK that night and it was fantastic appearantly alot of people avoid the park that day and alot of the Gay Day participants go to other activities that night. We got there about 5:00 and again saw lots of red shirts and some of the younger guys were a little more flamboyant but nothing that would offend anyone they were just having fun. As the night went on the park really cleared out we road BTM and Splash Mountain both twice without Fast Pass with little or no wait. We plan to avoid the park of the day but besides that feel comfortable that it will be like any other week. After reading these and other boards I do think that most of the participants that are there to make a statement and be in your face attend MK Day especially around the afternoon parade. I guess I am just not very observant but after six trips I have never seen any inappropriate PDA at Disneyworld except once in the pool by hetrosexuals (yuck).

As to your question about Star Wars Weekends it does not effect anything except DHS on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It is more crowded but managable if you do it right. If you like Star Wars you really should go it is awesome seeing the characters and they do mix Star Wars with Disney this year they had Jedi Mickey, Mini as Princess Leia and Stormtrooper Donald just to name a few. It is Star Wars but it has a really Disney fell to it. I grew up watching the original Star Wars Movies and I really enjoyed it.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Disney does not officially sanction the 'Gay Days' events and in fact they happen at parks and hotels across the greater Orlando tourist area.. NOT just Disney.. It's just that the days at Disney are all we ever seem to hear about.

I've gone for the last three Gay Days times periods and yes, I must confess I saw shirts that made me cringe with the messages contained there-on.

HOWEVER, I've seen shirts that made me cringe worn by heterosexuals (anytime of year) and once, it was so bad, I complained about the content of a shirt to a CM. The shirt was worn by a 'Harley riding dude' and I was chicken to say a thing to him directly.

A CM simply said "Sir, I'm afraid I"m going to have to ask you to turn your shirt inside out, that word isn't appropriate". The man took one look at his shirt and says, "Oh crap, I didn't realize I wore this. I'll throw it out and buy a shirt in the shop over there."

And he did.

That for me was a little lesson in judging a book by it's cover that of all people, I should have known by that point in my life.

--

Best Explanation of Gay Days YET

At the 2008 Gay Days event, we were in the Magic Kingdom on Saturday and waiting for the parade. There were a LOT of red shirts milling about. And this kid, he couldn't have been more than 4 or 5 years old asked his mom, "Mommy, why did everyone wear red shirts?"

Mom waits a second, I can tell she's thinking and she says, "You know how you like the color blue??" Kid says ya, Mom continues, "Well it's a get together for people who REALLY like the color red!"

Kid takes that in.. waits and second and then asks "And why are those guys holding hands?"

Mom had the answer for this one already "You know how you hold hands at school so you stay together and don't get lost? Well, they wanna stay together and not get lost either!"

That was it. I thought that was the best demonstration of not over-thinking the answers for children that age.

Just a reminder that attacking other posters or their beliefs is not cool. Its ok to express differing opinions, but always treat other posters with courtesy and respect.

If you can't do that, then step away from the keyboard and go for a walk.

Knox

 

[RussellDisney]

After further reflection on this topic, here are a few thoughts:

I guess my real concern is over-the-top, in-your face. Anything. Not just "gay" stuff, but anything. I'm not easily offended - but what does offend me is people all up in my face about stuff - politics, a particular lifestyle, yes even Christians. I don't like to have anything shoved down my throat.

With that said, I'm realizing the real reason I asked this question is because of the few gay people who seem to want to flaunt their lifestyle in peoples faces. They tend to be the ones organizing particular events, parades, etc., at least from what I gather from my limited exposure, i.e. the news. I'm not stupid, I realize the vast majority of gay people do not live their daily lives in a flambouyant fashion. But events such as these are, at least in the media, played up to the extreme. That was really the heart of my question - how extreme is the behavior?

Since the vast majority of gay people do not live their lives in such ways, why is it always portrayed as such in the media? Why have Gay Days if the general perception is a wild orgy? If a particular group is trying to explain itself to society at large, why portray the extreme?

Moralists try to hitch themselves onto the Christian church - but Jesus was far more concerned about people than their behavior! Behavior, lifestyle, etc. was always second place at best with Him - He was concerned with the individual. As noted by a previous poster, He certainly did not condone sinful behavior, but truly loved people.

 

[LisaInNc]

Hello!

5.) The TRUE magic of the weekend.......I met my future husband there....standing in line at BTMRR,....we was wearing a RED shirt so I thought he was GAY !!!! We spend the next 2 days together having a wonderful time....as I thought.....why are all the GREAT guys gay?????????

You met your hauband IN Disney standing in LINE Yowza! That puts a whole new spin on the standby lines!

 

[glitterkittyy]

I only want to say one thing. It's not only a few gay folks wearing shirts that are offensive. There are heterosexuals who go during gay week who wear t-shirts filled with hateful, hurtful words directed at gays. They shout things at them to be cruel. So while some may see a small group of homosexuals displaying their love in public by holding hands and/or kissing or even wearing an off-color shirt, the t-shirts filled with hate and cruel comments are IMO worse. My hubby, a CM, had to call security on one group because they refused to turn their hateful shirts inside out. Anyway, it broke my heart to witness a group of these so-called adults insult and intentionally hurt people just for being different than they are. It still brings tears to my eyes. I'll never forget the look of hurt in their eyes when they were laughing mere seconds before. I spoke up in their defense, but they begged me to let it go. But their eyes...I'll never forget.

If you go, have a good time and avoid the crowds by going to the other parks instead of where the "gay day" is going on.

 

[kat777]

Can you honestly say you don't see the hypocrisy of this statement? "Love everyone just as they are"..."We cannot condone homosexuality"??

That's exactly what I was thinking.

Perhaps the OP didn't mean that as it came across though.

Being from the UK where things are rather more secular/liberal, this kind of thread (and I've seen a few on "moral" issues on the DIS lately) scares the life out of me. I actually lost sleep over the last one.

My poor DBf is Christian so everytime something like this comes up I end up interrogating him about it. I would be utterly mortified if he were to suggest we avoid WDW or anywhere else because of an event like this. Even if it were supposedly in the interests of "protecting" our children when we have them. As far as I'm concerned, there would be nothing to protect them from. What would that say about my gay friends and their partners? Many of their relationships set examples that my children will certainly benefit from in the future.

Now, I'm not condoning any indecent behaviour at the parks, obviously...I'm sure CMs would be keen to put a stop to anything like that no matter what the sexuality of the couple.

Wanting to avoid the crowds from the event makes sense to me...the rest...

 

[Dumbo76]

I find all the posts about "crowds" throughout gay days to be somewhat thinly veiled references about behavior, rather than actual number of persons. I get it that certain people don't understand that particular lifestyle or many other lifestyles for that matter, but may not neccesarily "hate" that type of person or lifestyle. So it stands to reason that most posters on these boards don't HATE Gays (or substitute any minority group in here), but some may not want to be around them or have them around their kids. Innocent enough right? "I don't want to expose my children to such things, how ever will I explain it to them? I am a good Christian." So on and so forth.
But I still think ignorance is a form of bigotry. People fear what they do not know and fear can turn to hate quickly in tense situations. I guess what I am trying to say with this rant, is that it seems a little stupid to try to shield your kids from something, especially something so inoccuous as gay people holding hands (AAAHHH, the horror!) when guess what folks they are going to have to find out how the world actually works someday. Why not today? The irony of these discussions is that some percentage of these posters' kids will end up being gay. What are they going to do then? When they only want to go during Gay Days!

 

[1hero2princesses]

I have a friend who just attended the last few days of this event a week or two ago. They didn't know about it when they planned the trip. She went with her husband, 2 seven year olds and a 10 year old. Her thoughts? She said she would love to go back during gay days. The only thing they really noticed were people wearing red shirts. Said it was much less crowded than during the rest of the time that they were there. Much easier to get on rides, otherwise just like any other day.

 

[kadesha]

If it's really a big deal and you don't want to risk your children seeing anything affectionate between a same sex couple, then I would reschedule.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I usually stay out of these topics because they are usually very hateful and turn into a Christian vs. nonChristian fight. However, I read this post and the highlighted statement stuck out. I too am a Christian and completely agree with the highlighted statement. For too long Christians have acted as if they are forbidden to be around homosexual people, drunk people, drug addicts or anything else we consider "sinful". Fact is, Jesus hung out with "sinners". He despised the "religious" crowd. Jesus was about love and while He did not condone sin by any means, he didn't stop loving them either. As I recall, we are "all sinners and fall short of the glory of God". Their sin of homosexuality is no more than my sin over over eating so who am I to judge?

I said all of that to say that Christians need to stop their judgemental ways and start loving people again. I am sick of being associated with the clinic bombers and homosexual haters. Being a Christian means to be Christ like...those people are not Christ like.

I will now step off of my soap box and apologize for interrupting the thread...

Amen, sister!!! lol!!! I could not have said it better myself!

 

[CanadianGuy]

I find all the posts about "crowds" throughout gay days to be somewhat thinly veiled references about behavior, rather than actual number of persons.

I can assure you that on the Saturday in MK this year, it was BUSY. At least until after the parade.. the crowd thinned considerably once the afternoon parade was over.

And honestly, avoiding any park that is designated by a large group like the gaydays crowd on a given day is just a smart touring practice.

I don't find the gay days crowds at AK, EP or DHS to be enough to be concerned about. In fact, in those parks on their designated days, you'd be hard pressed to know anything out of the ordinary is going on.

Knox

 

[DizzDoll]

...this is about Gay Days.

An aside: My wife and I try to follow the teachings of Jesus and love everyone just as they are, are trying to teach this to our kids, and so we cannot condone homosexuality. We want to love and respect ALL people, just as they are.

Did you mean condemn? At any rate, I wouldn't let a particular "Day" ruin your time at WDW. You're gonna see "sights" no matter when you go, and those "sights" could include: hetero and/or homosexual over-the-top DPAs, vulgar T-shirts, crude and offensive language, etc. But the time you spend at the World is YOUR time, and you make of it what you want. If there's something offensive, move on to something else and return to the ride or show you left later in the day. In a nutshell, if you don't like what's on TV, change the channel. Not all gays are crude, not all heteros are classy, but you have a nice family, and are doing a good job in the values-teaching department, and when you go have yourselves a good time. And look out for the Brazilian tour groups!!!