GAY DAYS- Should I be concerned for my kids ?

[mandymommy4]

I think it depends on how "aware" your children are. We were there once and a gay man was wearing a pair of Minnie ears and had a bedazzled top on that read "Miss Bill". My son asked rather loudly why that boy was wearing the girl ears, he was 4 and like all young kids can ask embarrassing question LOUDLY. I told him because that was his favorite character just like Goofy was his. By the time I could finish my sentence he was distracted by something else. The point is if your kids are young they may be so distracted by the sights and sounds of Disney that they don't notice the people around them, older children might be a different story. And to be honest that was the most "unusually" dressed person we saw, there were a lot of red shirts but thats certainly not perverse.

 

[ramftbl]

Thank You for the straightforward response. I asked a simple question, and you answered it without sarcasm and left-wing intolerance. Even more importantly, you posted a list of which days would be the popular days in each park. I am fully aware of the "alternate lifestyles" that exist, (some of my friends are). PDA's by anyone are not appreciated by most and that was the main concern of my original post. There was an unnecessary amount of vitriol by many and your response was right on target, so thank you.

 

[HonnyDipp]

Can you say stereotype? This thread is unbelievable, OMG, I can't believe some people!

 

[sassyat30]

WDW is the *most* family-friendly place! Isn't that wonderful??

Everyone is welcome!

 

[JeremyGNJ]

I think it depends on how "aware" your children are. We were there once and a gay man was wearing a pair of Minnie ears and had a bedazzled top on that read "Miss Bill". My son asked rather loudly why that boy was wearing the girl ears, he was 4 and like all young kids can ask embarrassing question LOUDLY. I told him because that was his favorite character just like Goofy was his. By the time I could finish my sentence he was distracted by something else. The point is if your kids are young they may be so distracted by the sights and sounds of Disney that they don't notice the people around them, older children might be a different story. And to be honest that was the most "unusually" dressed person we saw, there were a lot of red shirts but thats certainly not perverse.

I like this story because it illustrates what Disney world is. I seriously doubt that most gay people who visit Disney world would be offended by a child asking those questions....or they probably wouldnt be the type of person who wants to go to Disney.

Like wise, most people who would want to go to Disney would not be offended by seeing people being themselves.

It's one of the few places in the world where "the magic" can override everything else.

 

[kakiegirl]

I can tell you my experience from last year. This is from my point of view and trust me I am a small town southern girl it does not take much to shock me We were there on Saturday and MK was the park of that day. We went to Epcot in the a.m. and saw nothing inappropriate at all. There were some groups of men in red shirts but if I did not know about Gay Days from this board I probably would not have even noticed it. We did avoid MK during the day because of the crowds but headed over there about 5:00 p.m. that evening. We did see a few more younger men acting more flamboyant but nothing out of the way they were just having a good time. It was not even anything that my dd 8 would notice unless it was just that those guys are acting crazy. Again I probably wouldn't have taken much notice to it if I was not aware what day it was. Anyway not long after we got there the park really started clearing out. We rode Splash Mountain three times in a row without a line. It was great. I would go again without a doubt. Now everyones experience may be different but I would think as others have said as long as you avoid the park of that day you probably won't even know Gay Days are going on. I personally would love to do MK on its designated day in the evening again because alot of the Gay Day participants leave the park to go to night time events and alot of other people have avoided the parks that day so it is a great time to be there, but shh don't tell anybody else that secret.

 

[Lintasare]

Thank You for the straightforward response. I asked a simple question, and you answered it without sarcasm and left-wing intolerance. Even more importantly, you posted a list of which days would be the popular days in each park. I am fully aware of the "alternate lifestyles" that exist, (some of my friends are). PDA's by anyone are not appreciated by most and that was the main concern of my original post. There was an unnecessary amount of vitriol by many and your response was right on target, so thank you.

Since you are new firstly...Welcome to the DIS.

And secondly your original question is a hot button question here on the boards. Whenever there is a post like that it is almost expected to get some snarky and sarcastic responses. You must realize that Disney is probably the most family friendly place there is. But family can be defined in many different ways. It is also a very gay friendly company, it was one of the first companies to offer benefits to same sex partners. Really anytime of the year you go there will be gay people there either working or enjoying their vacations. It's just for these 4 or 5 days there is a higher number of them. And it's not just at Disney it is all over Orlando. So unless you like to go to clubs or Pleasure Island I wouldn't expect too much outrageous behavior in the parks. And again like Canadian Guy said just try to avoid the parks in the schedule and you should be fine.

I hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Thank You for the straightforward response. I asked a simple question, and you answered it without sarcasm and left-wing intolerance. Even more importantly, you posted a list of which days would be the popular days in each park. I am fully aware of the "alternate lifestyles" that exist, (some of my friends are). PDA's by anyone are not appreciated by most and that was the main concern of my original post. There was an unnecessary amount of vitriol by many and your response was right on target, so thank you.

You're welcome. Glad to be helpful.

I like this story because it illustrates what Disney world is. I seriously doubt that most gay people who visit Disney world would be offended by a child asking those questions....or they probably wouldnt be the type of person who wants to go to Disney.

Like wise, most people who would want to go to Disney would not be offended by seeing people being themselves.

It's one of the few places in the world where "the magic" can override everything else.

More often than not.. way more often.. I've found what Jeremy says to be true.

Knox

 

[Macca1111]

Since you are new firstly...Welcome to the DIS.

And secondly your original question is a hot button question here on the boards. Whenever there is a post like that it is almost expected to get some snarky and sarcastic responses. You must realize that Disney is probably the most family friendly place there is. But family can be defined in many different ways. It is also a very gay friendly company, it was one of the first companies to offer benefits to same sex partners. Really anytime of the year you go there will be gay people there either working or enjoying their vacations. It's just for these 4 or 5 days there is a higher number of them. And it's not just at Disney it is all over Orlando. So unless you like to go to clubs or Pleasure Island I wouldn't expect too much outrageous behavior in the parks. And again like Canadian Guy said just try to avoid the parks in the schedule and you should be fine.

I hope you enjoy your trip.

OP, this is what I was going to point out too. With a very low post count, you asked a question that many people saw as offensive, myself included. Often, we find people "trolling" the boards, starting topics that they know will draw ire, solely to see people arguing. And as also pointed out, this sort of trolling happens every year about the same topic. Now, the smart thing to do if you're feeling sarcastic about something a potential troll said is to not respond, because that's the attention that they're looking for. It also makes things work out for the people who may be like you asking an honest question (I hope so!) However, many people can't help themselves and that's why you ended up with so many sarcastic comments. Since you have gay friends, the answer to your question is that you most probably won't see anything that you haven't already seen, and that the more offensive things will be coming from the straight couples.

 

[declansdad]

Thank You for the straightforward response. I asked a simple question, and you answered it without sarcasm and left-wing intolerance. Even more importantly, you posted a list of which days would be the popular days in each park. I am fully aware of the "alternate lifestyles" that exist, (some of my friends are). PDA's by anyone are not appreciated by most and that was the main concern of my original post. There was an unnecessary amount of vitriol by many and your response was right on target, so thank you.

You received the responses that you did because you are new (by post count) and this topic usually gets heated. In the past, people have created alternate Dis identities in order to stir the pot and cause trouble. Here's hoping that isn't you.

 

[Feralpeg]

I've been to WDW theme parks many, many times during Gay Days. I've never seen anything that caused me to even bat an eye. That being said, I wouldn't go to PI during the organized party event. I wouldn't go to PI during any organized party event if I know it is happening. Just too much partying for me!

OP, go with an open mind and you'll have a great time and so will your children.

 

[ramftbl]

Yes, I am new to this site, and no, I am not looking to "cause trouble". I was looking for a "free and open exchange of ideas", not insults.It shoudn't matter how many posts one has, was I expected to only ask about "the best spot to find Mickey" ? I hope this clarifies things.

 

[Lil Connor]

Last time I checked it wasn't contagious!

 

[Jessfrogger88]

I worked in the park during the gay days, and seriously it was hardly noticeable unless you were looking for it. Everyone was nice and polite and I didn't witness any over the top PDA cept hand holding and so forth.

One tip... Last year they had this party at MGM after the park closed called "One Mighty Party" I would advise against going to MGM that day or at least leaving a few hours early if your children are young, because this is a private party charter event I have heard things tend to get a bit wild, and because it's a private party the regular disney dress code is not enforced.

 

[declansdad]

Yes, I am new to this site, and no, I am not looking to "cause trouble". I was looking for a "free and open exchange of ideas", not insults.It shoudn't matter how many posts one has, was I expected to only ask about "the best spot to find Mickey" ? I hope this clarifies things.

No one is condeming you for asking the question, just trying to help you understand some of the responses.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Ram:

Welcome to the DIS.. this particular issue has a LONG history on the DIS boards and therefore, as other posters have explained ... when this is the topic from a new poster, it's viewed in a different light - it's not fair - but that's the internet for ya.

I forgot to say - the craziest get up I saw last year, was a man.. probably about 60 years old.. he had a very crazy hat and a long feather-y thingy.. like a boa but different. Otherwise he was wearing a t-shirt and shorts.

He was having lunch at the same time as my party at the Plaza Restaurant. Kids thot it was hilarious to see someone dressed like that and otherwise nobody seemed the least bit bothered with his get-up. It was his birthday so everyone sang him Happy Birthday!

Knox

 

[aspcamhreditor2]

Thank You for the straightforward response. I asked a simple question, and you answered it without sarcasm and left-wing intolerance. Even more importantly, you posted a list of which days would be the popular days in each park........

..... There was an unnecessary amount of vitriol by many and your response was right on target, so thank you.

AMEN!

I believe the OP asked a legitimate question and did so tactfully.

THANKS so much to the who poster who gave a reasoned and mature response.

There are many reasons to have asked that question that implied NO intolerance. If I were going at that time period, I'd want to know what to expect as well ...simply so I could either properly prepare my small children who might be caught off guard by something they might not have experienced before ... OR ... to make a decision not to go IF a trip at time period did not fit with your general outlook. ONLY having a good, reasoned idea of what to expect could allow you to make other arrangements.

I have no idea why the immediate jump is to assume the worst.

Intolerance comes in all forms ... ignorance is often a cause. I commend the OP for reasonable question posted in a fairly tactful manner. I further commend those who responsed accordingly

Again, intolerance comes in all forms. Automatically assuming intent or immediately assigning a motivation/position to a question when NONE was directly noted ... well, now ... that is just as intolerant. In my mind ... even more so.

 

[mom2zandjsquared]

I have to say its not a big deal but that being said I will go to the parks during that time but my DH will not step foot in Orlando during this week. We have only been there one time during the annual event and well nothing out of the ordinary that you wouldn't see in every day life.

 

[joenan88]

I would have no trouble taking my kids to Disney during "Gay Days". I feel tolarence should be taught young. There is nothing wrong with same sex couples. My kids are 9, 7 and 6 and I do not shelter them..we live in a world filled with intolerance for others and I want my kids to not feed into that ugly behavior. Don't be afraid to take your kids..

 

[CleveRocks]

There are many reasons to have asked that question that implied NO intolerance.

Again, intolerance comes in all forms. Automatically assuming intent or immediately assigning a motivation/position to a question when NONE was directly noted ... well, now ... that is just as intolerant. In my mind ... even more so.

I totally agree!

I hate it when someone asks an honest question, an innocent question, and gets bombarded with responses assuming that the question was asked in a negative or prejudiced way.

I totally agree that lack of knowledge does NOT equal lack of tolerance. It IS true that lack of knowledge can lead to intolerance and hatred. But there is a cure for that ... knowledge is the cure. The OP now knows more than she did about the subject.

I'm about as gay-friendly as one can get without actually engaging in gay behaviors or feelings. And the first time I heard about "Gay Days" I had the same question as the OP. My kids (7 and 5) know an age-appropriate amount of information about the subject -- just like they know that Mommy and Daddy love each other and don't know what Mommy and Daddy do in private, they know that two men in a committed relationship love each other but don't know what those two men do in private). But if you've never heard of it, you'd not know what "Gay Days" means or what it entails. We know it is not a time of public debauchery, but how would we know that unless we'd somehow been informed? WHo knows ... how do we know it's NOT a sexually charged event???

If there was a "Heterosexual Day," don't we think someone would be asking about that, too? How would we know if it was a G-rated celebration of loving couples and families versus a celebration of how people can have heterosexual sex in public places?

Yes, there are plenty of people who have disdain for gays. But unfortunately, there are also plenty of people who have disdain for people who don't know every nuance about every phrase that contains the word "gay."