Dollywood dress code

[Uncle Remus]

Just popping back in here, and want to say:

Hey, let's not kid ourselves here... marriage may not be all about sex and/or sexuality. But, last I heard, the definition of the slang word 'GAY' relates to those who are physically and sexually attracted to members of the opposite sex.

Nobody can convince me that the word 'gay' in the most common usage ( which is no longer aanother word for 'happy' ) is not a sexual reference.

Same thing would go for the words hetero/straight, bi, etc... when referring to ones sexual orientation.

So, I just ain't buying that whole argument.

PS: I have used, or considered using, the words 'get a room' more than once. And, it was straight/hetero couples.

Anybody who is trying to justify and cloud the issues here by trying to twist the semantics of the word gay, I am not buying it.

And, again, Dollywood is well within their rights to ban whatever sexual or controversial, references that they wish. Nothing changes that....

All I am saying is that they had better have a VERY specific policy, in writing... and if it bans the reference to sexual orientation... That means it should also include shirts that say 'Adam and Eve - not - Adam and Steve.'

One's right to, so called, free speach does not extend to privately owned establishments such as DollyWood.
Nobody was denied access or service.

Even this couple, who seem to be enjoying their 15 minutes of fame just too darned much, know that they have no basis to claim that their rights were violated.

Um, I'm pretty sure gay is attraction to same sex.

I also think Dollywood can ask folks to conform to a family friendly environment, both straight 'n gay families.

I'd like some clarification why the Dollywood employee asked the lesbian to reverse her shirt. All we have to go on is this lesbian sayin' she was discriminated against, I personally think marriage is so gay is a slur, don't like it.

 

[shortbun]

Personally, I think Dollywood made a big deal out of a minor issue and the whole country is talking about it now. I think the shirt was clever but only because the wearer was gay. Had Dollywood left it alone, it would not be an issue. Seriously, do your children walk through WDW reading people's shirts? Mine, even though he was reading lots outloud at one time, would not have noticed anyone's shirt unless it had his favorite character on it and even then, I'm not sure he'd have seen anything but the next ride. So, is Dollywood so boring that children walk around reading t-shirts? Glad I passed on a visit to Dollywood.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, I agree, this employee ( NOT Dollywood itself ) picked a dubious little thing to create this whole national hullabaloo....

However, now that it's out there...
Let it play out.
No doubt in my mind that the this couple was NOT discriminated against.
They were not denied access or service... PERIOD.

Comments on other boards are like MAJOR in support of DollyWood.

DollyWood has not, and IMHO will not give in here.
They know better.

They may issue a personal apology to this couple for the 'unfortunate incident'...

But, NO WAY, are they going to do or say anything to indicate that there was any wrong-doing in their part. Because, quite simply, there was not.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I'd like some clarification why the Dollywood employee asked the lesbian to reverse her shirt. All we have to go on is this lesbian sayin' she was discriminated against, I personally think marriage is so gay is a slur, don't like it.

I agree.

I have been saying from my very first post that any image or slogan 'that might be offensive' just is NOT enough to cut it. Way to subjective.

I suspect that reworking the language in their dress-code policy and coming up with the best 'defense' here is what they are working on as we speak.

 

[Goofyluver]

I can't stand walking billboards. Just BE who you are, for Pete's sake.

But, I like shirts with slogans.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I got one that sez Follow me to Splash Mountain.

 

[scotlass]

But, I like shirts with slogans.

 

[Goofyluver]

Oh. mah. gawd.

 

[Aisling]

But, I like shirts with slogans.

Ok, you got me. In general, I don't like the walking bilboard shirts. But
I definitely make an exception of my opinion for "just married"-type t-shirts.

 

[Jessica14]

As for how to respond to kids, depending on the age it is quite easy to explain that some couples are one man and one woman, some are two men, and some are two women. I've done this with my own kids and thankfully they have learned that when two people love each other it's a good thing.

This is exactly what I tell my kids. There is nothing "tricky" about it as long as you keep it simple. We have always talked about all kinds of families since ours is different as well (our two childen are adopted from China). I have always wanted them to know that all families are "normal." I have no idea what their future will hold as far as who they will love, so I want them to be accepting of everyone so they would never feel allientated.

I don't know whether the t-shirt should have been reversed, but I do think it came off as anti-gay marriage. Of course, if I saw the two women together, I might have chuckled. Just reading the words though, I think it does sound like a slur.

 

[scotlass]

Oh. mah. gawd.

I love Dolly as much as the next lassie but dont think I would turn to her for guidance....tho she did have a coat of many colours !!

 

[PeterPan09]

Ok, you got me. In general, I don't like the walking bilboard shirts. But
I definitely make an exception of my opinion for "just married"-type t-shirts.

Ah...so "some" walking billboards are ok. Do you have a list?

That's exactly the point of the whole issue isn't it? Someone's "list" was violated for whatever reason.

I love T-shirts with slogans too-especially ones that make people think a little. As a society we do far too little thinking IMHO.

And yes-"just be who you are" is a wonderful sentiment. But for those of us who have spent nearly our entire lives being told that being what we are is evil,and in an environment where people are still being literally bullied to death for being who they are-those walking billboards might make people think a little.

 

[pyrxtc]

I don't like "XXX is so gay" being used as a pejorative. If her shirt just said something like "2 people + Love = Marriage" or something else benign I think it would be fine.

I am a huge supporter of gay rights and gay marriage but I don't think Dollywood was wrong in this case.

Yup, this right here.

 

[BunsenH]

Can I assume that the T-shirt in question was not tucked??

 

[PeterPan09]

Can I assume that the T-shirt in question was not tucked??

 

[Ceila]

Ah...so "some" walking billboards are ok. Do you have a list?

That's exactly the point of the whole issue isn't it? Someone's "list" was violated for whatever reason.

I love T-shirts with slogans too-especially ones that make people think a little. As a society we do far too little thinking IMHO.

And yes-"just be who you are" is a wonderful sentiment. But for those of us who have spent nearly our entire lives being told that being what we are is evil,and in an environment where people are still being literally bullied to death for being who they are-those walking billboards might make people think a little.

While I also love t-shirts that make people think, I do think that using phrases that are generally accepted as slurs, using vulgar language, etc. is not appropriate for a family-friendly place. It's the way the word gay was used that's the problem - it's not an acceptable usage. Had the shirt said "gay marriage is great" then that would have been OK to me, since the word is used in a different context.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Here's an update:

Representatives for Dollywood issued statement in response to the news, assuring the gay and lesbian community that everyone was welcome at Dollywood properties. Now, Dolly Parton has released a statement to ABC News apologizing for the incident. The statement reads:

"I am truly sorry for the hurt or embarrassment regarding the gay and lesbian t-shirt incident at Dollywood's Splash Country recently. Everyone knows of my personal support of the gay and lesbian community. Dollywood is a family park and all families are welcome." Dolly adds that the policies on clothing or signs with profanity or controversial messages are in place to protect the person wearing the shirt and keep disturbances at the park to a minimum. Dolly concludes saying, "I am looking further into the incident and hope and believe it was more policy than insensitivity. I am very sorry it happened at all."

http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music...zes-for-gay-t-shirt-incident-at-dollywoo.html

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

I don't see the problem. Just turn the shirt inside out. I'm sorry, but a family park really isn't the place to take your agenda. I support gay rights and have no problem with adults marrying each other regardless of their persuasion.

Abortion, death penalty, smilies with holes in their heads, natural child birth, naked volleyball, big breasted women, all that stuff can be worn elsewhere, let's all just have a good time.

People are here for a break not to have to explain your agenda to their kids. Relax, enjoy, other days are available to wear what you please.

Kids are exposed to rhetoric everywhere these days, is it too much to ask that you table your grouse or proclivities at the gate of an amusement park for a day?

 

[Uncle Remus]

I don't see the problem. Just turn the shirt inside out. I'm sorry, but a family park really isn't the place to take your agenda. I support gay rights and have no problem with adults marrying each other regardless of their persuasion.

Abortion, death penalty, smilies with holes in their heads, natural child birth, naked volleyball, big breasted women, all that stuff can be worn elsewhere, let's all just have a good time.

People are here for a break not to have to explain your agenda to their kids. Relax, enjoy, other days are available to wear what you please.

Kids are exposed to rhetoric everywhere these days, is it too much to ask that you table your grouse or proclivities at the gate of an amusement park for a day?

We can all have a good time when we all have equal rights.

 

[brookmey]

Some may think this is a little naive, but how is a t-shirt supporting something you believe in, like gay marriage, any different than wearing a t-shirt promoting your favorite university or sports team? As a University of Michigan grad, I can't tell you how much I dislike having to see Ohio State t-shirts!

And for those who are opposed to shirts supporting gay rights because you want to choose the time and place to talk to your kids about it, would you really talk to your kids about it if they were to never see one of those shirts? Would you make sure you address this topic when having "the talk" with them?

Sometimes there's never the perfect time and place to have the necessary conversations. We just got back from a long trip to MI to visit family. While there, my kids and I spent time with my 2 best friends from college, 2 gay men who live together and have been together for 18 years. My kids, DS4 and DD7, know my friends and like hanging out with them. This year, for the first time, DD asked me about their relationship. We were in Mongolian BBQ and she asked me if they were brothers. I didn't want to explain everything to her there, but I also figured since it's in her head and she's thinking about it, this might be the best time. If I waited until later, she would be on to the next thing and I might miss a good opportunity.

So, I explained their relationship right then and there. Having my friends there helped because she started asking them questions instead of me. And it was funny because her questions were geared more towards "Why aren't you married? You can't live together if you're not married!" Then she asked them if she could be in their wedding when they get married. It ended up being a really good conversation. Not really where I wanted to have it, but I'm glad we did.