Disney endorses....

[jakenjess]

RickinNYC -- Congratulations!! How wonderful for you both! I hope your special day is everything you've always dreamed of! Enjoy!

 

[write2caro]

RickinNYC - your post has me in tears I'm so happy!!! I AM THRILLED FOR YOU GUYS!! Congrats, and thanks for sharing your happiness with us!!!

 

[MissyDVC]

RickinNYC-- so glad to read how this has a positive effect on a loving relationship. My best friend was gay(he died last year) and I KNOW that would have loved to do this with his partner. Seems so silly that you've had to wait to celebrate your love. Best wishes and all the happiness in the World

 

[cinjam]

RickinNYC - great post

 

[DisneyMomx7]

RickinNYC - Good for you! Glad everything is coming together for you and your partner. Best wishes and best of everything!

 

[Hodder]

Hi folks! I rarely if ever visit the Disney for Families board simply because I've often thought, "Well heck, it really doesn't apply to me. We're a family of two with one dog." But I do lurk on all boards from time to time just to see what's what.

With that, I'm so incredibly happy to see this posted here. Support from so many different walks of life is an amazing thing to see, and whether you know it or not, it is incredibly gratifying and heartening. I recall not long ago when I was absolutely without a doubt terrified of telling anyone I was gay. The very idea made me nauseous. Gay characters rarely existed on TV and in the movies. There were no gay role models. The concept of being gay was just not discussed.

I came out in 1985 when the idea of a commitment ceremony was nothing but a pipe dream. I felt that marriage was for other people that lived heterosexual lives, wanted to raise children in the suburbs and that if I were to ever find someone to love, we'd simply have to do so as room mates at best.

It's a new age and one that I'm so happy to live in. I have a wonderful man in my life, in a committed relationship of many, many, MANY years (16+). And I then realized that we could have a ceremony of sorts. That we could have a "marriage" albeit not recognized legally (that's a battle I'm still fighting). But the one thing I had always wanted was to have a small group of friends with us, in my favorite place on earth, both of us in tuxedos, my brother at my side as best man, grinning like idiots as we were married in Disney World. But it was never, ever an option and it always bothered me. At times it depressed me that it would never be something I could do, let alone dream of.

And now it is and we're going to do it!

So whether I know you or not, whether you and I ever meet, whether we'll ever speak in person, whether we'll chat in line for Haunted Mansion, whether we'll bump into each other during Illuminations.... just know that you're support means the World to my partner and I. From being a terrified college kid who was horrified at telling anyone that I was gay, to being a proud 40 year old man with the best partner, home, dog and friends, the world is becoming a better, more inclusive and accepting place... at least through my view off my balcony.

What a beautiful thought.

OT- 40!! You both look so young in your picture......now I'm depressed....LOL

 

[MickeyP]

Yay for Disney! I like them even better now!

BTW, I am just an average, midwestern hetero SAHM.

You forgot: "Not that there's anything wrong with that".

 

[MickeyP]

I think after 4 pages of "way to go Disney" responses, I was very hesitant to respond, but I guess I'm entitled to my opinion as well. I have to say I am not a huge fan. It won't ruin my trip, or even affect it, but for those who think Disney is not taking a stand in any way shape or form, that just isn't so.

Not looking for a debate or flames or anything (REALLY), so feel free to continue with the "way to go Disney" thoughts...just interjecting a different opinion.

PS - I am not a southern baptist or anything like that...come from the great blue state of Illinois....

I was thinking the same thing. After 4 pages, who wants to open the can?
I don't agree with the lifestyle. And although many are saying to each his own, they don't mean it. I guess I just don't understand the WTG attitude, but my neighbor will be thrilled to know she can marry her new puppy at Disney! Of course, it won't be legal.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I was thinking the same thing. After 4 pages, who wants to open the can?
I don't agree with the lifestyle. And although many are saying to each his own, they don't mean it. I guess I just don't understand the WTG attitude, but my neighbor will be thrilled to know she can marry her new puppy at Disney! Of course, it won't be legal.

Why would you dare to presume what other posters mean? Just because you don't understand the WTG attitude doesn't mean others are insincere. I won't even go into your "not approving of the lifestyle" comment, but it just seems both mean spirited and condescending.

 

[Davids-Coco]

I was thinking the same thing. After 4 pages, who wants to open the can?
I don't agree with the lifestyle. And although many are saying to each his own, they don't mean it. I guess I just don't understand the WTG attitude, but my neighbor will be thrilled to know she can marry her new puppy at Disney! Of course, it won't be legal.

I think that you are def intitled to your opinion... everyone is. And while I am also a "regular old straight sahm", there are people who disagree with my lifestyle as well.

I commend RickinNYC for going for what he (you) want(s). That is awesome. Everyone deserves love and happiness.

And now, the "no flames please" portion: because of my beliefs and up-bringing, I would glady give up the state given marriage if they would just replace it with civil unions (yes, for heterosexual couples too). I was brought up believing that the state is a licence only. The "marraiage" exists as a religious term. I know that not everyone will agree with this, but it is just how I feel. No judgement though... I can't control what anyone else thinks, and I don't try to.

 

[va32h]

I was thinking the same thing. After 4 pages, who wants to open the can?
I don't agree with the lifestyle. And although many are saying to each his own, they don't mean it. I guess I just don't understand the WTG attitude, but my neighbor will be thrilled to know she can marry her new puppy at Disney! Of course, it won't be legal.

Implying that gay marriage is equivalent to bestiality.

Charming.

 

[kt_mom]

Double post.

 

[kt_mom]

All this talk of tolerance and being open minded is wonderful. Except that you are still only tolerant and keep an open mind to those that fit into what you believe. This does not apply to everyone. I don't want to generalize although that seems to be the flow of things. But yet over and over I have read bashings of people that do not agree with this. And everyone that disagrees is lumped in together, they are gay bashers, they are "right wing rednecks".
They listen to "right wing radio". They are less educated and less traveled and in that post made to sound like they were back woods stupid or something. If that's your idea of tolerance and open mindedness you can count me out.

And lets don't forget the Southern Baptist as a whole. They are all lumped together and insulted quite frequently. As a southern baptist I take offense at that. Just because some people in a group act a certain way does not mean that everyone in that group is the same. Isn't that the whole idea of this tolerence thing, or does that only apply to everyone else? If you take any kind of religous stand then you are exempt from being tolerated or respected.

Not everyone on this thread has gone that direction. Many people have just said they thought it was great and left it at that. I have no opinion. It will not affect Disney in any way except they will make more money and it doesn't affect me. But they are definitly taking a stand on this issue. Will it change me going in June, not a bit.

Flame me, bash me I don't care. But I really hate to hear people preach tolerence and all that while they disrespect the people that they are calling intolerent, close minded and "haters". You can't call yourself tolerant and then chose who you want to be tolerant of.

To the poster who posted about taking advantage of this change at Disney I wish you a wonderful ceremony. Whether or not I agree with someone's lifestyle choices doesn't mean that I wish them ill will. Have a wonderful ceremony and wonderful trip and a happy and prosperous life.

 

[Hodder]

All this talk of tolerance and being open minded is wonderful. Except that you are still only tolerant and keep an open mind to those that fit into what you believe. This does not apply to everyone. I don't want to generalize although that seems to be the flow of things. But yet over and over I have read bashings of people that do not agree with this. And everyone that disagrees is lumped in together, they are gay bashers, they are "right wing rednecks".
They listen to "right wing radio". They are less educated and less traveled and in that post made to sound like they were back woods stupid or something. If that's your idea of tolerance and open mindedness you can count me out.

And lets don't forget the Southern Baptist as a whole. They are all lumped together and insulted quite frequently. As a southern baptist I take offense at that. Just because some people in a group act a certain way does not mean that everyone in that group is the same. Isn't that the whole idea of this tolerence thing, or does that only apply to everyone else? If you take any kind of religous stand then you are exempt from being tolerated or respected.

Not everyone on this thread has gone that direction. Many people have just said they thought it was great and left it at that. I have no opinion. It will not affect Disney in any way except they will make more money and it doesn't affect me. But they are definitly taking a stand on this issue. Will it change me going in June, not a bit.

Flame me, bash me I don't care. But I really hate to hear people preach tolerence and all that while they disrespect the people that they are calling intolerent, close minded and "haters". You can't call yourself tolerant and then chose who you want to be tolerant of.

To the poster who posted about taking advantage of this change at Disney I wish you a wonderful ceremony. Whether or not I agree with someone's lifestyle choices doesn't mean that I wish them ill will. Have a wonderful ceremony and wonderful trip and a happy and prosperous life.

I have to agree...too a point, when someone equals same sex marriage to beastiality (sp?) then I don't tolerate hate. I do believe that everyone has a right to believe in what they believe, but that doesn't make them (or me right). I believe in equality for all human beings regardless of sex, race, religion, and so on. I don't believe in hating anyone group, while Neo Nazis are free to believe what they believe that doesn't give them the right to kill, torture or terrorize.

Just wanted you to know that I am not flaming you I think you said it well.

 

[luvmy2sams]

Hi folks! I rarely if ever visit the Disney for Families board simply because I've often thought, "Well heck, it really doesn't apply to me. We're a family of two with one dog." But I do lurk on all boards from time to time just to see what's what.

With that, I'm so incredibly happy to see this posted here. Support from so many different walks of life is an amazing thing to see, and whether you know it or not, it is incredibly gratifying and heartening. I recall not long ago when I was absolutely without a doubt terrified of telling anyone I was gay. The very idea made me nauseous. Gay characters rarely existed on TV and in the movies. There were no gay role models. The concept of being gay was just not discussed.

I came out in 1985 when the idea of a commitment ceremony was nothing but a pipe dream. I felt that marriage was for other people that lived heterosexual lives, wanted to raise children in the suburbs and that if I were to ever find someone to love, we'd simply have to do so as room mates at best.

It's a new age and one that I'm so happy to live in. I have a wonderful man in my life, in a committed relationship of many, many, MANY years (16+). And I then realized that we could have a ceremony of sorts. That we could have a "marriage" albeit not recognized legally (that's a battle I'm still fighting). But the one thing I had always wanted was to have a small group of friends with us, in my favorite place on earth, both of us in tuxedos, my brother at my side as best man, grinning like idiots as we were married in Disney World. But it was never, ever an option and it always bothered me. At times it depressed me that it would never be something I could do, let alone dream of.

And now it is and we're going to do it!

So whether I know you or not, whether you and I ever meet, whether we'll ever speak in person, whether we'll chat in line for Haunted Mansion, whether we'll bump into each other during Illuminations.... just know that you're support means the World to my partner and I. From being a terrified college kid who was horrified at telling anyone that I was gay, to being a proud 40 year old man with the best partner, home, dog and friends, the world is becoming a better, more inclusive and accepting place... at least through my view off my balcony.

When this news article was forwarded to me a few days ago, I immediately thought of the excitement this must bring to some of our DISers. I'm beyond thrilled for you, Rick, even though we don't know each other at all. I think you're one of the funniest and most warm-hearted posters on the DIS, and your post had me in tears. Your family deserves every happiness, and I celebrate with you that you're now able to have a ceremony in your favorite place in the world. That's the way it should be. Kudos to Disney for extending this service to everyone.


As an aside, I'm a Christian, and I attend a Southern Baptist church. I occasionally teach Sunday School, and I facilitate a Friday morning Bible study group there. Been doing it for years, wearing my Mickey Mouse sweatshirts all through that ridiculous boycott. Please don't lump all of us into the same basket. I'm right there alongside those who shake their heads at some of the highly judgmental and hypocritical statements that come out of those conventions.

I was thinking the same thing. After 4 pages, who wants to open the can?
I don't agree with the lifestyle. And although many are saying to each his own, they don't mean it. I guess I just don't understand the WTG attitude, but my neighbor will be thrilled to know she can marry her new puppy at Disney! Of course, it won't be legal.

Yikes! I hope that this was just over the top sarcasm. Not a very nice comparison, to say the least.

 

[MissyDVC]

I was wondering when it would take a turn down this road. I knew it couldn't last

 

[eliza61]

I don't think it is anything about family values. I think that it is all about $$$ If Disney can make money on them, they will do it.

Couldn't have said it better! This is another market to them, just like the campaign they launched in September to market to families with very small children. I don't have a problem with it at all

 

[kt_mom]

I was wondering when it would take a turn down this road. I knew it couldn't last

Which road would that be?

 

[MissyDVC]

I was thinking the same thing. After 4 pages, who wants to open the can?
I don't agree with the lifestyle. And although many are saying to each his own, they don't mean it. I guess I just don't understand the WTG attitude, but my neighbor will be thrilled to know she can marry her new puppy at Disney! Of course, it won't be legal.

THIS road.

 

[kt_mom]

I agree, that is over the top and uncalled for. But not everyone that disagrees with Disney's decision has a hateful attitude about it.