Gay Days?

[ldiddygirl]

Iam well aware of the annual gay days at Disney World but I was wondering if this is an event sponsered by Disney or if it is something that the gay community put together.

I didn't know if these were inappropriate for younger children or what. I am not bashing a lifestyle just have wonderings!

Thanks!

 

[rastahomie]

No, they are not sponsored by Disney. Sorry, I can't provide a cite (I think it's from the Unofficial Guide, maybe.

 

[chiamarie]

I have been an AP holder for 5 years, and have randomly been at the World each year during Gay Days for at least one day each year.

I'll say that I haven't really seen them doing anything inappropriate that I've seen a heterosexual couples do in public.

I think it's more a matter of if you're used to seeing two guys (or two girls) hold hands, or kiss in public.

And to answer your original question, I'm pretty sure it's something the community plans. Generally it's not just a Disney thing, they have conventions and pool parties at some off property sites; so I doubt it's something Disney "promotes". But clearly, Disney is very open about being a support of the GLBT Community.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

I don't believe it's an official Disney event, but fwiw we've been to WDW at least twice during Gay Days and have never witnessed any behavior I would call "unDisney". What type of behavior are you referring to?

 

[2forMe]

Troll much??

 

[Mysteria]

...and so it begins.

 

[mgroshans]

we just got back on Saturday and didn't notice anything more than what you would see at a mall or any other public event. We never saw any public display. If we would have seen anything out of the "ordinary", my 2 DS would have said something. I wouldn't let it deter any of your plan making.

 

[ldiddygirl]

well maybe it wouldnt be as shocking if we hadnt grown up in such a conservative family, but just the small stuff. Some of the shirts were midly explicit and certain words and PDA were common.

It was definitely was not everyone and yes, anyone could've been using the same language but there was kissing and inappropriate gestures in line for Pirates that we wanted to let a couple of people in front of us for the sake of the younger children with our party.
I just didn't know if this was encouraged by Disney or just supported.

Thanks for the answers!

 

[neile45]

We were there last week, and 2 days overlapped with our trip. Just do what we did if you are offended / don't want your little ones to see / ask questions. Just avoid the park that the gay days is taking place, there is one park that they pick that the will attend.

 

[ldiddygirl]

Thank you.

And I am sorry if I offended anyone as it was completely unintentional. The event does not bother our family it was just one situation that I was referring to.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

I went to WDW in March with a gay friend. We already had plans to go for gay days. While in line for Pirates in March there were two couples who's PDA was so outrageous we commented that perhaps a baby had been conceived while in line. I saw NO behavior even close to that last weekend.

 

[tony609]

Troll much??

Agreed.OP's first post was asking a question. then second post all of a sudden they were there. If your going to troll, learn how and not make a fool of yourself.

 

[Donut23]

7 years ago I just HAD to get away. Even though I have a rule.....no disney after mid-May (too hot).....I booked a single weekend and was off. Well, of course, it was Gay day weekend.

Having some pretty terrific gay friends, I especially liked seeing the Gay couples with their families - or the small groups simply having fun. Sure, there was one group of 4 who were forcing some sort of point....but they went away.

NOW....even better.....there I was standing in line at BTMRR. I started talking with a tall New Yorker behind me.....wearing a red shirt so I assumed he was down for THE weekend vs me down for the weekend.

We really hit it off and hung out together the next day. I exchanged phone numbers with the harmess gay guy and headed home. When he got home....he called me EVERY DAY!!! I couldn't figure out why this GAY GUY was calling me.......until I discovered, he had no idea about Gay Day weekend and red shirts. He wasn't Gay and we are now coming up on our 4th wedding anniversary later this month!!!!




Another Gay Day weekend story.......

My cousin belongs to a very conservative church in Tennessee. The choir had been asked to sing at WDW. It took months for the fund raising and before they left, someone decided it would be nice to have matching Tee shirts printed.

Nope, can't make it up.....a church group trained to HATE gay people arrived at WDW for Gay Day Weekend wearing.......RED tee shirts.

....and who says there isn't a god!!!!!!


psssst.....I don't care if you do not support gay people, it's your choice. You DO have to admit the story is funny!!!!!

 

[Lynne M]

Disney encourages any group that wants to come and spend money in their parks. No different than the assorted family reunions, grand gatherings, sports groups, large tour groups of Brazilian teenagers, etc.

And no different than any day at the parks, when there are many, many, many LGBT individuals, couples and families (and employees) there. Well, OK, one difference. Some wear red t-shirts during Gay Days.

I was at WDW from Friday-Monday. Saw lots of people in red. Didn't see any PDA, or any slogans on shirts. Just logos of the sponsoring companies. But then, I wasn't paying much attention.

 

[tony609]

Best stories ever. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ThreeBeans]

Are you also offended by straight couples kissing in the park? You know, for the 'younger children' in your party?

 

[tinkerbell313]

Here is an excerpt from the gaydays.com website that gives a very brief history about Gay Days:

Orlando Florida’s Gay Days Celebration is not a single event. It is a total gay and lesbian vacation experience. Gay Days is comprised of multiple events staged at world famous attractions, gay & lesbian clubs, and unique venues secured for the purpose of creating a gay and lesbian atmosphere at Orlando's greatest theme parks and at multiple parties occurring during this long weekend. We have young, old, all races and beliefs, parents, gay AA groups, and every other section of our community attending Gay Days each year.

Gay Days began in 1991 as a single designated day (always the first Saturday in June) when the LesBiGay community and friends were encouraged to "Wear Red and Be Seen" while visiting the world’s most popular theme park. From it’s beginnings (spearheaded by the GLBT Community

Center, local activists, businesses, and the online friends and users of Compu-Who) with 3,000 attendees, this one-day park visit has evolved into a week long, citywide celebration offering round the clock activities including multiple theme park visits, cocktail soirees, concerts, and a host of internationally renowned parties. Gay Days attracts over 150,000 celebrants from across the nation and around the globe!

 

[Mysteria]

7 years ago I just HAD to get away. Even though I have a rule.....no disney after mid-May (too hot).....I booked a single weekend and was off. Well, of course, it was Gay day weekend.

Having some pretty terrific gay friends, I especially liked seeing the Gay couples with their families - or the small groups simply having fun. Sure, there was one group of 4 who were forcing some sort of point....but they went away.

NOW....even better.....there I was standing in line at BTMRR. I started talking with a tall New Yorker behind me.....wearing a red shirt so I assumed he was down for THE weekend vs me down for the weekend.

We really hit it off and hung out together the next day. I exchanged phone numbers with the harmess gay guy and headed home. When he got home....he called me EVERY DAY!!! I couldn't figure out why this GAY GUY was calling me.......until I discovered, he had no idea about Gay Day weekend and red shirts. He wasn't Gay and we are now coming up on our 4th wedding anniversary later this month!!!!




Another Gay Day weekend story.......

My cousin belongs to a very conservative church in Tennessee. The choir had been asked to sing at WDW. It took months for the fund raising and before they left, someone decided it would be nice to have matching Tee shirts printed.

Nope, can't make it up.....a church group trained to HATE gay people arrived at WDW for Gay Day Weekend wearing.......RED tee shirts.

....and who says there isn't a god!!!!!!


psssst.....I don't care if you do not support gay people, it's your choice. You DO have to admit the story is funny!!!!!

Fantastic stories! Love the story of how you met your husband!

 

[Freezing Cold B]

My mom used to take me and my friends over Gay Day. It happened to correspond with the week we went, which was always following the last week of school. The first few years it was tame. Just a day for people who were LGBT to celebrate at a fun location. The last year we went was either 98 or 99. It was, in my opinion, more of a spectacle than an event. The behavior of some of the people was disgusting and inappropriate in public. It wasn't kissing or loving behavior. It was explicit behavior. We never went back again during that week.

Obviously, a person of any sexual orientation could have behaved in the way we witnessed. But, it seemed like this particular group of people that were at the MK that day wanted to shock people. Even some of the gay couples were disgusted, and I heard them comment on it (and I'm sure more who I didn't hear comment were disgusted too). I'm assuming it was a fluke, and as I said just a group of people wanted to be shocking. The first year we went the only reason we knew it was Gay Day was because it was on the news that night. The following years we noticed t-shirts, but that was about it.

 

[Boo Bear]

NOW....even better.....there I was standing in line at BTMRR. I started talking with a tall New Yorker behind me.....wearing a red shirt so I assumed he was down for THE weekend vs me down for the weekend.

We really hit it off and hung out together the next day. I exchanged phone numbers with the harmess gay guy and headed home. When he got home....he called me EVERY DAY!!! I couldn't figure out why this GAY GUY was calling me.......until I discovered, he had no idea about Gay Day weekend and red shirts. He wasn't Gay and we are now coming up on our 4th wedding anniversary later this month!!!!




Another Gay Day weekend story.......

My cousin belongs to a very conservative church in Tennessee. The choir had been asked to sing at WDW. It took months for the fund raising and before they left, someone decided it would be nice to have matching Tee shirts printed.

Nope, can't make it up.....a church group trained to HATE gay people arrived at WDW for Gay Day Weekend wearing.......RED tee shirts.

....and who says there isn't a god!!!!!!

Two INCREDIBLE stories!