Carefully read entire post before replying because...

[Dallas_Lady]

Upon reading Webmaster Pete's view on Gaydays, I must say I'm completely shocked. I guess I never witnessed any of the things he mentioned because I have always avoided the scheduled parks. My heart breaks for him, you can tell he is really saddened by what he witnessed.

I totally agree. I feel bad for him, because you can tell he wants to support it. It also shows me that you cannot judge an entire group of people by the bad behaviors of some.

 

[disneyjunkie]

You cant pick and choose the best parts of your religion. If you are a christian, you have to believe everything about chrsitianity, same with every religion out there, and we all know what they would all say about gay week.

Not true.

Religion was used to justify slavery.

The KKK uses religion to justify their hate

Thank goodness there were plenty of Christians willing to stand up and say the churches and their teachings were wrong.

 

[*disgal*]

Upon reading Webmaster Pete's view on Gaydays, I must say I'm completely shocked. I guess I never witnessed any of the things he mentioned because I have always avoided the scheduled parks. My heart breaks for him, you can tell he is really saddened by what he witnessed.

I couldn't believe it either. Compared to what this thread says, it's completely the opposite. Ofcourse, I think if you stayed away from the host hotel, you'd probably avoid a lot of the behavior.

But I agree with you, I'm almost stunned. And I give him a lot of credit for that article.

You know, most gay people don't act like that, at least that's my impression. Maybe an event like this just feeds into the ones that want to be "in your face" with it. Am I saying this right?

My BIL's brother is gay. He and his partner came to my niece's wedding. they were great! I've been at social events with them a few times. They would never act indecent like that.

 

[bellaprincess98]

Not true.

Religion was used to justify slavery.

The KKK uses religion to justify their hate

Thank goodness there were plenty of Christians willing to stand up and say the churches and their teachings were wrong.

Religion was used by PEOPLE to do all those things but it doesnt mean the religion actually said it.

 

[yankeepenny]

I cannot believe this thread has gotten this far.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Religion was used by PEOPLE to do all those things but it doesnt mean the religion actually said it.

People used/uses passages from the bible to justify their hate.

 

[cinnderly]

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.

See, Op -- this right here was the issue that caused this thread to be now 9 pages long. For one, it doesn't make sense -- if you're teaching your kids to love everyone just as they are, they why does that lead you to NOT condone homosexuality? I think it's perfectly acceptable for you to ask if the parks are busier during "gay days". But if that was all you were doing then you didn't really need to mention your religion, what you teach your kids, Jesus, etc & so forth.

And this --

Once we are blessed enough to get to know someone (anyone!) and develop a relationship with them, then maybe they will understand why we believe what we believe and we can share our story with them.

...all I can say is this also goes both ways. Maybe someday you'll meet a person who is gay and you will grow to understand why they are the way they are, why they believe what they do, and you can both share your stories. Now that would be nice, wouldn't it? The definition of tolerance, really.

 

[mefordis]

I'd like to add that most confident, straight people, in my experience, don't really care one way of another if someone is gay. They are living their own life and don't really get offended by homosexuality because they really don't think twice about it.

OP, why not just ask if it is going to be busy and if you are going to see a lot of PDA -- why do you have to add all the other stuff about your religion, not condoning homosexuality, etc.? Me thinks.... oh, forget it.

 

[mikehn]

Russel my man, you stirred the pot starting with the title of your thread.

 

[JoanneGreco]

What should we expect if we tour the parks during Gay Days?

I think you can expect an opportunity for your children to see gay people (and gay couples) having fun at Disney, just like they and their family are. Maybe that experience will help your children realize that gay people are not so different than them. What a wonderful opportunity!

 

[Pixeldust Fairy]

Ok here's one for you. Why is everyone so harsh when the man says he doesnt condone homosexuality due to his religious beliefs. It doesnt mean he is full of hate.

I dont condone sex before marriage, because of my religious beliefs.. does that make me guilty of a hate crime.

Come on give the guy some slack. Just because you dont condone something because of one reason or another, does not mean you judge them, or have hatred brewing.

 

[Melora]

It just bugs me that there is an event specifically for peoples sexuality.

I too am on the conservative side, and would never go during that time. Its not because I'm intolerant of gays (even though I dont agree with the lifestyle) but because when you name an event based on sexuality, guess what! Some people are going to go out of their way to advertise it thinking "Hey its gay week, I'm allowed to display it."

Hey it bugs me that there is an event specifically for peoples religion. Night of Joy? Some people are going to go out of their way to advertise it thinking "Hey its religious night, I'm allowed to display it."

Everything depends on your point of view.
And BTW, Webmaster Pete's take on Gay Days has been discussed ad nauseum in the Gay/Lesbuan board here and no one but him ever seems to have seen behavior like that. I have been to Gay Days at Disneyland SPECIFICALLY to support a family member and it was just a wonderful time with lots of family's and their kids sharing their love of Disney.

People freak out thinkign that they might encounter a gay person when in reality they are all over, all the time and no one realizes it specifically because they are just like everyone else. They might have their wild people but holy moley so does the straight world.

 

[CanadaPT]

Ok here's one for you. Why is everyone so harsh when the man says he doesnt condone homosexuality due to his religious beliefs. It doesnt mean he is full of hate.

I dont condone sex before marriage, because of my religious beliefs.. does that make me guilty of a hate crime.

Come on give the guy some slack. Just because you dont condone something because of one reason or another, does not mean you judge them, or have hatred brewing.

You can't compare those two statements. not condoning homosexuality is like not condoning people who are black. It's not a choice! Homosexuality is not a choice (why would we want to continually defend ourselves to people who don't understand... would you choose that?)

Not condoning sex before marriage is different because that IS a choice.

 

[CanadianGuy]

We're drifting into debate here folks.

The topic of the thread is what to expect in the parks at GayDays.

As for Pete' GayDays Article, he and I had a chance to sit down and discuss that and while his experiences weren't from 2006, or 2007 .. the larger point he's driving at and I see why -- Is MK really the place to make such a politically charged stand?

I gotta admit, this year at GayDays.. I saw more than a few 'deer in the headlights' families who had no idea what they had walked into that day. I don't feel that what they walked into was all that bad this year from what I saw -- offensive shirts aside -- which are worn by folks all stripes all year long.. there is just a few more that week.

After talking to Pete this year prior to GayDays.. I was really torn.. One of things we discussed was "sure.. go to Epcot, have a day at DHS, enjoy AK - but leave MK alone.. "

I'm kinda starting to lean that way myself a bit. Regardless, I still gotta say I didn't see the behavior he notes in his article -- but just cause I didn't see it - doesn't mean it wasn't there. It's a Shroedingers Cat type dilemma.

Knox

 

[mefordis]

That's right, no way could it be a choice. Families and careers have been destroyed because of people trying hard as they can to deny it. Would Larry Craig and Jim McGreevy have chosen to throw their careers away like they did? Heck, no, it's no choice. Many christian people are gay but choose to deny that part of themselves. Sometimes it comes out anyway because they can no longer deny it to themselves, so what do they do? They cheat on their wives/families. Who was the most recent pastor who they tried to de-program? Forgot his name but there are many besides him.

Okay, back to the topic: If I really did want to avoid seeing gay people, I would pick one of the other 51 weeks of the year to go.

You can't compare those two statements. not condoning homosexuality is like not condoning people who are black. It's not a choice! Homosexuality is not a choice (why would we want to continually defend ourselves to people who don't understand... would you choose that?)

Not condoning sex before marriage is different because that IS a choice.

 

[disneybound31]

This is interesting.

My DH older sisters are gay. So (obviously) I have two gay sisters-in-law and, although DH and I choose to live a different lifestyle and choose to raise our children in a Christian environment, we find very little difficulty maintaining a relationship with both God and my husbands' sisters. At various points significant others have joined in family festivities and I see this as no different than when my son or daughter will bring along their sig other in the future.
They understand that while we may not necessarily be going bonkers over their lifestyle- they may not agree with some of our lifestyle choices as well.

(I will further state that I do not believe homosexuality is a 'choice')

I have no way of knowing, at this point, what orientation my own kids are but I can tell you with a definite spirit that I could never live without them in my life. Just the same as we could not imagine life without DH's loving and creative sisters who are both adored aunts to my children.

I don't have to love everything they do in order to love them. I hope they feel the same about me.

 

[momof1+1+2]

It really bothers me to see people shaming you for asking such a question, I am truly sorry and quite embarrassed to have such behavior coming from DISers when you quiet clearly were not being rude about the topic, simply wanting to know...as RESPONSIBLE parents, it is a person's RIGHT to ask such a question. Our children are extremely impressionable and there is a duty as a parent (and Christian) to let our children be made aware of different sexual preferences AND instill what we feel is proper...do not let a minority few shame you or make you feel you have done anything wrong...YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO ASK! Myself, I have never gone during Gay Days...I have heard both sides of the fence, it is terrible and then again, you would never notice...not sure what the situation really is. Personally, I do not wish to go to WDW in June because of the crowds and heat...some people cannot help but go at that time, if they wish to go because of vacations, or what have you. If Gay Days were moved to another month that I do enjoy going to WDW, I am not sure it would keep me from going...such a touchy situation, indeed. Keep your head high and keep asking questions until you get the answers to all of your questions...

I second this post! Well said!

 

[rkmassa]

I've never been during this time, but from what I've read (mainly on DIS boards) Gay Day's is like any other time. You may not even notice it.

Oh you'll notice.....our trip during Gay Days (not knowing), we noticed.......

men wearing spiked heels
men wearing princess hats
same sex couples fondling, kissing, etc.,
rude and offensive sayings on t-shirts
sky-writing trying to "persuade" people they were headed to hell
loud confrontational groups on rides

These were just some examples. We had my 3 year old DD with us at the time, and we did not want to explain to her any of this. We will never go to Disney again during this time.

 

[CanadianGuy]

The sky writing is 52 weeks a year.. the only thing that changes is the message.

 

[kadesha]

The sky writing is 52 weeks a year.. the only thing that changes is the message.

what does it say during gay days? While we were there it always said "Jesus loves you" and things to that nature? How exactly does it change?