Gay Day Question

[bytheblood]

Hi All,

Before I ask my question, please know this is not meant to offend anybody. I have a legit question for a legit concern.

My family and I, as you can tell by my clock below, are visiting WDW next June (early June). I have been told that the first weekend I am there is considered "Gay Day weekend", so it has prompted a few questions.

1. Is it Gay Day or Gay Weekend? a.k.a. "Red Shirt Day"
2. Is this a wide spread attendance or a 1-park thing?
3. For my biggest question.....would there be anything visible to a small child that could be viewed as obscene, shocking or just downright vular? That is the main reason for my concern, not because I dislike gay people.

And before anybody goes slamming me for my questions, I have a brother who goes to Disneyland on "Red Shirt Day" proudly wearing his red shirt and I love him dearly. I have already asked him this question, but being that he lives in LA, he cannot speak for the WDW crowds.

 

[Mom2R&D]

My family went this year right after Gay Days. As a matter of fact, our first weekend overlapped with Gay Day's last weekend. I saw several gay couples (mostly men) holding hands, a few kissing but have to say that my two boys (8 & 6) never noticed anything. And I guess if they had I would've given them a brief explanation of what was going on.

I never saw anything remotely obscene or vulgar (at least not from homosexual couples ) and honestly have no concerns about going during that time.

Then again, my DH is a good looking guy...

 

[bytheblood]

Thank you! I am glad to hear there was nothing to alarm a child. My daughter is 6, will be a few months shy of 8 when we go, and knows nothing of that lifestyle. She is very opininated at her age and would probably say something.

 

[NickyRe]

We were at WDW last year during gay days and we did see a few couples holding hands but nothing vulgar whatsoever and my three children didn't notice a thing. I wouldn't hesitate to go again during that time.

Nicky

 

[bytheblood]

Nicky,

I see you are about to head off on your trip. Have a great time and be safe. Wish I was going already. Uuggghh!!!!

 

[MouseClubMom]

There is an official website for this event. http://www.gaydays.com/

I have gone several years during this event and just to avoid the crowds we always schedule our days to be at a different park than the group. Saturday is always in the Magic Kingdom and is the official "red shirt" day. This year when there we spent that Saturday in EPCOT with my girls' Godfather (and he was wearing his red shirt to show his support!).

Individuals actions vary but for the most part we didnt see anything offensive or off-key at all. As for me I dont want to see ANYONE making out or all over each other in the park no matter who they are. My 2 sisters and my kids' Godfather are gay and my kids have never picked up on it. Kids will ask questions about all kinds of things. Just answer their questions honestly as they come up about any topic.

Have a great vacation and dont let this event worry you at all. Disney is magical for everyone.

MCMom

 

[ciera321]

I totally agree with the previous posters having been to DW for 2 Gay Days. They have a day at each of the parks, the main one being Magic Kingdom the the 1st Saturday of June. For crowd purposes only, we stayed away from the MK on that Saturday. We never noticed anything close to offensive!! I would definately go again at this time of June. Have a great time!!

 

[NickyRe]

Yes, we're almost all packed and can't wait to go!!! Thanks for the well wishes!!!

Nicky

 

[Shugardrawers]

WDW expects the same behavior from gay couples as it does straight couples. ANY couple behaving offensively will be asked to leave. I guess it depens on your definition of vulgar or offensive. I personally don't want to see ANY couple swapping spit or groping but holding hands or closed mouth kissing isn't offensive to me. Your children may have some questions if they see 2 men or 2 women holding hands or kissing so you should be prepared with an answer just in case. They may not even notice.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Originally posted by bytheblood
Hi All,

Before I ask my question, please know this is not meant to offend anybody. I have a legit question for a legit concern.

My family and I, as you can tell by my clock below, are visiting WDW next June (early June). I have been told that the first weekend I am there is considered "Gay Day weekend", so it has prompted a few questions.

1. Is it Gay Day or Gay Weekend? a.k.a. "Red Shirt Day"

Weekend. The schedule will include all the theme parks, but on different days.

2. Is this a wide spread attendance or a 1-park thing?

Mostly one park on the scheduled days, but not guaranteed.

3. For my biggest question.....would there be anything visible to a small child that could be viewed as obscene, shocking or just downright vular? That is the main reason for my concern, not because I dislike gay people.

Nope. We were in MK several weeks ago on "gayday" and other than alot of red shirts we didn't notice anything inappropriate. Did see one cute t-shirt - red, with the printing " I see RED people." In fact, I think all the hype kept attendance down. We were able to get FastPasses to popular rides [BTMRR, Buzz] as late as 7~8 pm.

And before anybody goes slamming me for my questions, I have a brother who goes to Disneyland on "Red Shirt Day" proudly wearing his red shirt and I love him dearly. I have already asked him this question, but being that he lives in LA, he cannot speak for the WDW crowds.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

I have a question. Are the Gay Days always the 1st week of June? We are planning to go again next June. I personally do not have a problem with gays and have several friends who are gay, but I do have a few relatives that would be uncomfortable around it, so I would like to plan around it. Apparently we just missed Gay Days this year and we didn't even know it.

 

[MdmMim]

I was at WDW during Gay Days, and I did see ONE couple who were making out and had hands all over the place! Not something I wanted to see!! BUT--they were heterosexual, not gay!

It seemed to me that everyone was there to enjoy the parks, and they did. I'd go again at that time of the year.

 

[ryley26]

we went last year no big deal just avoid parks where they are going for the day to avoid crowds. I have to agree seen much worse behavior from hetrosexual teens in my visits. I had at the time a 7 & 9 and they had no clue .

 

[bytheblood]

Thank you everybody for your feedback.

I will certainly avoid the large crowd at MK on Saturday!

 

[OKW Lover]

Some great questions.

First the standard stuff:
Disney does not sponsor gay days. This is an independently organized event that actually runs a full week in central florida. On specific days the focus is on specific parks (not just Disney parks), with Saturday being the day for the MK.

Many people report large crowds on Saturday in the MK. (Actually this is true many Saturday's) So you might want to consider another park that day.

You may see a same-sex couple holding hands if you look hard enough, but its doubtful that your children will even notice since they will be busy taking in all the Disney stuff. If they see something unusual and ask about it, just answer their questions with a straight forward answer (no pun intended) and that will probably be the end of it.

Jeff

 

[DonnaSue]

We were there this past year for Gay Day. It is no different than any other "convention" or other large gathering of people. Of course we saw LOTS of red shirts, just as you run into a lot of other "family gathering" shirts or whatever! We didn't run into anything from this group that you don't run into from everyone else. Everyone I encountered was very nice!!! Just excited about being in "The Happiest Place On Earth" - just as everyone is!!! If you want to avoid the crowds, just know where the designated days are for each park. Saturdays are ALWAYS busy anyway, so we usually avoid MK on Saturdays. This year though we just felt the need to go to MK on Saturday afternoon. It was just a little crowded, and we had a great time. I don't think that should keep you from going to Disney World any more than any other large group being there should. This is not the first time we have been there at that time, and we have never had any bad experiences!!! It is really a great time to go - smaller crowds - generally!!!

Go and have a GREAT time!!!

Donna

 

[Chuck S]

I have attended GayDay parks for the last several years, with my Mom, who is in a wheelchair. The first year, I kept a watchful eye, ready to spin her chair in a different direction if I saw anything she may find "offensive". We never had a problem, never saw anything offensive, and truly, the cowds at this time of year, even on Saturday at the MK are MUCH better than the crowds beginning on the Monday following the event. I'm sure it has to do with some school schedules in many states, but it seemed like the crowd increased at least 30% for the following week.

For your children, give them an honest, but not too detailed answer if they notice anything (you're a parent, I'm sure you know how to do that ), and they should be fine.

As for the schedule, it is always built around the First Saturday of June, so whle it is usually the weekend after Memorial Day, it CAN fall the 2nd wekend after Memorial Day.

For 2005 the schedule is:

Thursday, June 2, AK
Friday, June 3, MGM
Saturday, June 4, MK/PI
Sunday, June 5, EPCOT
Monday, June 6, IOA/USF (Tentative)

Some events are held after hours at MGM and Typhoon Lagoon, requiring a private ticket and are not open to other guests.

 

[The Sweetness]

The first week in June just happens to be perfect timing for my fam to hit the WDW when we can afford to. The only time there was any kind of difference in our trip was the first time. We werent aware, and DH was lined up at the gate of MK wearing a red t-shirt. Before we even got through the gate, we could tell what was going on, and DH hussled into the Epourium immediately for a new shirt. It was also on that trip, that I happened to recognize someone I knew. It was a lady who had done one of my tattoos skipping past us arm in arm with her g/f. That was the only time I ever ran into an aquaintance at WDW

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

sigh Surely wish your husband didn't find it necessary to change his shirt.

This year as I was entering the MK on "the first Saturday in June", there was a family in front of me, Dad was in red, and some of the children were too. It was pretty impossible to miss that red was a significant color for that day. The Dad looked around a bit, a little puzzled, then asked the "air" what all the red meant.

I told him that it meant you were supporting the right for people to be who they are, or indicating that you were gay yourself. He laughed, a great laugh and said, that he always supported folks living life in their own way, and didn't think he had to worry about being mistaken for other than what he was. It really was a nice little exchange.

I would hope that if one's children pose questions about a same gender couple holding hands, or the like, that you would respond with something along the line of "they are doing that because they love each other" and move on.

Do you explain why opposite gender couples are holding hands, kissing, and the like? Do you even notice when they do?

I've witnessed more inappropriate displays of public affection from opposite gender couples than I've ever seen from same gender couples whether at WDW or in P-town!

Please, just live in peace. Please?

 

[The Sweetness]

Originally posted by DVC~OKW~96
sigh Surely wish your husband didn't find it necessary to change his shirt.

Do you explain why opposite gender couples are holding hands, kissing, and the like? Do you even notice when they do?

Please, just live in peace. Please?

DH was uncomfortable in the red shirt not b/c he isnt tollerant of other peoples choices. He just didnt want to be confused for something he isnt. ( I agree that this would be difficult with his wife and daughter in tow) I didnt want to agrue with him, and his impatience to get inside and buy a t-shirt really was funny

When DD 12, sees people holding hands, she thinks nothing of it. Kissing however makes her uncomfortable, regardless of who's doing it. She attends a private middle/ highschool, and last year she consistently defended the one highschooler who is gay. I was proud of her for sticking her neck out for him, telling other students to shut up and leave him alone whenever she heard them being rude or mean to him. As far as living in peace goes, I do what I can