Carefully read entire post before replying because...

[Reaper0Bot0]

My problem with these sorts of questions is it reminds me of a similar set of questions, and they pertained to "miscegenation."

You are entitled to your views. You are entitled to raise your children as you will. I am not here to tell you that homosexuality is moral behavior, nor am I here to tell you that it is not. I am here to tell you that I am absolutely flummoxed that you posted a question, worded as it was, on this topic.

You're taking your family on a vacation to a place that prides itself in making its guests forget about the difficulties of their daily lives. Disney World is a spot where you can relax and just have fun with your friends or your family. Politics has no place in such a context. Frankly, I am a bit amazed.

Am I weirded out when I see two dudes making out? Sure. Do I run away? No. Would I go out of my way to make sure that my children never, EVER had to see something like that? No. Life is too full of things I disapprove of to avoid them all.

Good parenting is not defined by hiding your children from your own dislikes. Good parenting IS defined by putting these things in context and molding your children into good and moral people. Tolerance does not require approval, nor does it require love or indeed even respect.

Tolerance just means you don't flip out when somebody does something that does not hurt you but annoys you. If God is so offended by these folks he'll let them know. That's not your job.

Good day, and enjoy your trip.

 

[perkinsrose]

My problem with these sorts of questions is it reminds me of a similar set of questions, and they pertained to "miscegenation."

You are entitled to your views. You are entitled to raise your children as you will. I am not here to tell you that homosexuality is moral behavior, nor am I here to tell you that it is not. I am here to tell you that I am absolutely flummoxed that you posted a question, worded as it was, on this topic.

You're taking your family on a vacation to a place that prides itself in making its guests forget about the difficulties of their daily lives. Disney World is a spot where you can relax and just have fun with your friends or your family. Politics has no place in such a context. Frankly, I am a bit amazed.

Am I weirded out when I see two dudes making out? Sure. Do I run away? No. Would I go out of my way to make sure that my children never, EVER had to see something like that? No. Life is too full of things I disapprove of to avoid them all.

Good parenting is not defined by hiding your children from your own dislikes. Good parenting IS defined by putting these things in context and molding your children into good and moral people. Tolerance does not require approval, nor does it require love or indeed even respect.

Tolerance just means you don't flip out when somebody does something that does not hurt you but annoys you. If God is so offended by these folks he'll let them know. That's not your job.

Good day, and enjoy your trip.

well said!

 

[stitchywoman]

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.

I guess I shouldn't go during gay days then. I've always thought it might be fun because I honestly get amused by flamboyant behavior. PDAs are something I don't appreciate from any person, man, woman, or child (sadly they seem to be coming from those younger and younger) and that would bother me, but as I said from any person. I actually get a warm fuzzy feeling when I see gay people holding hands in public. It makes me happy to know that they are comfortable being who they are.

Now back to why I quoted your post. I shouldn't go because I wouldn't have been able to let it go. I don't care what a person is spewing hate about I have trouble stepping down and letting them think it is ok. For all of those that are saying that having a religious belief isn't hate, I'm sorry but I think it can be. Whatever the reason for hate, those who are out there stating that homosexuality is immoral (I by the way am not stating that the OP was doing this) are being hateful, whatever their reasons.

Glitterkitty, it makes me happy to know there is someone else out there that is willing to stand up for other people even when you aren't going through the same things. My cousin and I were the only straight people on our gay straight alliance in college, and you should have seen the issues I had with the christian club which I also hung out with.....scary....

That being said, to the OP....enjoy yourself....you seem to be pretty open minded, I think many of us were confused by the way your first post was written. Your children will learn about it sometime, maybe the magic of disney way could be a good way to do it....(assuming that you aren't having to use the groping couple as your example...if you are...sorry.....my explanation to my daughter was after walking out to her watching RENT with her grandma....good movie....but she didn't understand the lesbian couple....) Either way, whenever you go, have fun, and hope we haven't caused you more trouble than good with our speeches...

 

[thomas998]

I'm guessing the worst you are likely to see would be two people holding hands and oh the horror they might both be men or they might both be women... Then again I noticed a lot of little girls holding hands and dancing together during the pirate and princess party... Do you think those little 6 years olds were all lesbians?

I'm sorry but your original post is quite funny... you continually mention you want to accept everyone for who they are... yet you somehow feel that you need to avoid people who's beliefs you don't agree with... I know have friends that are gay and friends that are straight... and I can assure you that being around either group doesn't change my own orientation. I don't talk to gay friend and have a sudden urge to become gay... just as I haven't noticed any of them catching that nasty straight thing I have and decided to go date women... people are who they are... you might find one day that one of your children is gay. If you are truly accepting of all people as you say, they will still have a chance to grow up and be a happy person... on the other hand if you show them through your actions that some people are less worth or should be shunned, then there is a good chance they wont grow up happy and might even find suicide as the only option. Think about it... practice what you preach.

 

[d1gitman]

personally, i would avoid going during gay days. i too believe as you have stated. with that being said, i am not one that believes in sheltering our children, they are better off being equipped in life to know how to deal with what happens in life. sheltering them will not protect them.

however, i would not bring my family during this time as i believe you are more likely to have to answer questions to your children about gay couples. i believe there is a time and place for everything, a wholesome family vacation is not the time you want your kids wondering about 'adam & steve'. There will be plenty of time in life to teach them about same sex couples, transgender things and of hte sort... I think you are much better off doing what you can to expose your children to the Disney that you are hoping for. Of course, there will still be gay couples at Disney and you may still have a situation that your children ask about. There are no guarantees but an ounce of prevention still is worth a pound of cure in my book.

good luck.

 

[Dumbo76]

personally, i would avoid going during gay days. i too believe as you have stated. with that being said, i am not one that believes in sheltering our children, they are better off being equipped in life to know how to deal with what happens in life. sheltering them will not protect them.

however, i would not bring my family during this time as i believe you are more likely to have to answer questions to your children about gay couples. i believe there is a time and place for everything, a wholesome family vacation is not the time you want your kids wondering about 'adam & steve'. There will be plenty of time in life to teach them about same sex couples, transgender things and of hte sort... I think you are much better off doing what you can to expose your children to the Disney that you are hoping for. Of course, there will still be gay couples at Disney and you may still have a situation that your children ask about. There are no guarantees but an ounce of prevention still is worth a pound of cure in my book.

good luck.

I'm sorry but I don't think your kid seeing a gay couple holding hands needs to be prevented, let alone "cured".

 

[CanadianGuy]

Ok.. REMINDER :

Posts that don't even attempt to answer the OP's question but rather snip back and forth with another poster on the thread about religion, morals etc.. are considered OFF-TOPIC.

This is not a debate thread. Let's keep the discourse, civil, respectful and most importantly - ON TOPIC.

Thanks,

Knox

 

[jeffbear]

My family was at MK during their official day during Gay Days this year. To be honest ... not that big a deal and I also basically share the views and concerns of the OP. Yeah, there were a ton of red shirted folks and some of them had provocative images and phrases on them ... umm Welcome to Saturday at the MK. Yeah, there were public displays of affection ... I saw a teenage couple (mixed gender) making out like crazy on the Monorail on our way out of the park and an older couple (mixed gender) walking arm in arm. And a couple of dudes holding hands ...

Really ... there's absolutely no reason to stay away from the parks during Gay Days. Sure, some of the activist-minded in that community want to publically push the envelope in the parks, but they're the minority. It's just not that big a deal.

 

[glitterkittyy]

Now back to why I quoted your post. I shouldn't go because I wouldn't have been able to let it go. I don't care what a person is spewing hate about I have trouble stepping down and letting them think it is ok. For all of those that are saying that having a religious belief isn't hate, I'm sorry but I think it can be. Whatever the reason for hate, those who are out there stating that homosexuality is immoral (I by the way am not stating that the OP was doing this) are being hateful, whatever their reasons.

Thanks for your post. Oh how I wanted to defend them. I really wanted to scream, but the looks on their faces when they asked me to let it go stopped me in my tracks. Plus I didn't want to give the offenders the satisfaction of knowing they caused a problem...it's what they wanted afterall. I really wish I would have given the guys I was talking to before a big hug, though. They were having such fun before that happened. They really looked like they needed a hug....even from a married woman with two kids...I was probably the closest thing to mom that day. I really just wanted to make it better. Futile, I know, because in order to do that, I'd have to be able to change the behavior of others. Like I said, it still breaks my heart...

Anyway, I think the OP can have a good time at WDW during gay days as long as they avoid the park of the day. I have a great time no matter when I go, but I didn't notice a problem with a lot of crowds during gay days.

 

[Belle1962]

The normal advice is to go to gaydays.com and check their schedule. Avoid their park of the day to avoid the bigger crowds. That being said, I think you and your family would be much happier changing your week. There is no 'rule" that says participants HAVE to go to the designated park of the day--some will not follow the schedule for the same reason we wouldn't---head to the less crowded park. Parks aside, you may see couples in the airport, at your hotel/resort, in restuarants and other places. You don't want to worry or obsess about what you might or might not see, what your kids might or might not see, etc.

 

[My2Angels]

There is absolutely no shame in wanting to protect your children from those who are intent on acting disrespectful and inappropriate. Nor is there any shame in standing firm in your beliefs and wanting to be the person who decides what sort of behavior and values your children are exposed to. Good for you.

AMEN! AMEN!

 

[letthewookiewin]

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?????????

I met my future DH in line for a ride at WDW as well. It wasn't BTMRR though, it was the now gone Skyway.

 

[CanadianGuy]

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

Ok.. REMINDER :

Posts that don't even attempt to answer the OP's question but rather snip back and forth with another poster on the thread about religion, morals etc.. are considered OFF-TOPIC.

This is not a debate thread. Let's keep the discourse, civil, respectful and most importantly - ON TOPIC.

Thanks,

Knox

Just a reminder that we have warned on this twice. I'm not sure all posters have seen these based on their subsequent posts.

Thanks,

Knox

 

[Dumbo76]

I think we went off topic about 5 pages ago, but whatever. I say take your kids to gay days, let them see the world, who cares. I bet it will be totally fine.

 

[glitterkittyy]

Sorry Canadian Guy...I'll behave!

Two DISers have met their spouse while waiting in line at WDW? Is this a sign that FP should go away? LOL

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Sorry Canadian Guy, just saw your post....... this post went off topic..... Sorry again......

Bottom line..... Where gaydays are concerned......you decide what is best for you and your family.

OK.... Off Topic.... but here it goes.....

I don't care what a person is spewing hate about I have trouble stepping down and letting them think it is ok. For all of those that are saying that having a religious belief isn't hate, I'm sorry but I think it is.

I repectfully disagree.

I don't think having a religious belief about something equals hate.

I do try to live my life as Jesus would do, and he loved all, and so do I. I don't think that if I disagree with a person's actions that that is hateful. We were all created differently and believe differently and live our lives differently, I may feel that the way some people live their lives in not in accordance with my beliefs, but that certainly does not mean that I hate anyone or that I am judging them.

I am very careful to raise my child teaching her that there are all kinds of people in this world and that God loves them all and that all people are God's creation and all deserve equal treatment. I also teach her that there are many kinds of families in this world and that God loves them all. I don't want my child to perceive anyone as "bad" or have preconceived ideas about anyone.

 

[livie1205]

if you do not feel 100% ok with it do NOT go and do not let others try to shame you into it. I would not go either, not that I think my kids do not see gay people everywhere (3 very nice couple live near us) but if you are un comfortable with that much same sex pda do not put yourself through it.I do not understand what it being 2008 has to do with anything...because it is 2008 we should all agree on this topic by now? everyone will never agree on it.

 

[Dumbo76]

Ok I admit this one is off topic, but why are the boards predating our replies? I just posted at like 5:15 but it put it at 4:46. What is that about? Have I just never noticed this before or is it acting weird?

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Sorry Canadian Guy...I'll behave!

Two DISers have met their spouse while waiting in line at WDW? Is this a sign that FP should go away? LOL

Me too! I'll behave.

I don't think the standby line is prohibitive to one meeting their soul mate, I think the FP line although short could be condusive to meeting said mate.

I think the "single" rider line is an even better place. Hello! Bu dum ching! Thank you! Thank you! I'll be here til next Thursday.... try the veal!

 

[newtodis]

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

Could not have said it better myself!

Also, to the OP-maybe next time when addressing a "controversial" topic just list specific questions you'd like answered?? That might help curb the debating. HTH!