Gay-friendly Thread!

[nordkin]

We are two moms with three kids that have gone to WDW every year for the past 12 years and have never encountered a problem. The same is true for the cruise line. As a matter of fact in June 2004 Disney sponsored a Family Pride Coalition Conference at Coronodo Springs with discounted rates for the hotel and it was well attended. It was an awesome experience and we all felt very welcomed. Even my mother, who attended with us, commented on how accepting everyone was. There was a difference in the conference itself from the Family Week activities in Ptown in that it was smaller and not as openly gay as Ptown, but overall we have always had a wonderful time at all the Disney locations.

 

[joanjett1976]

True North-

Love the Fraggle rock, looooove that another Montrealer is on the boards. Would love to know more about you!

 

[mickeyfan1]

Hi Everyone! I'm new here, but this looked like the safest thread to post this question. I have been trying to figure out how gay friendly Disney actually is. Just being on the DIS there is so much diversity, but their seems to be a large Christian right group, that tends to not be the most supportive of gay rights. Also, Florida is in the southern USA, which I know is not the same at all as my location of Montreal in Canada. At the same time I saw a thread that had a poll showing the majority of DIS voters suport same sex marriage.

I know some places its better to not showcase your sexuality. I don't mean making out in public, but rather how accepting would it be for 2 dads and their kids. It's just something I haven't been able to figure out.

If you and your parner and your kids go to WDW, how would anyone know if you were gay or hetero? Unless y'all were swappin' spit or hanging all over each other, you would like like any other dads and kids. I don't think you would have any problems at WDW if you behaved as you would expect other to behave, like you said. I have seen many men with kids in the parks. I don't know if they were married and the wife was at the spa or not with them, I don't know if they were divorced and it was their turn to have the kids, I don't know anything just by seeing them in the parks. I have seen lots of men in the parks with out kids too, and it never occured to me that they might be a gay couple, just as it never occured to me that they might be 2 guys that like Disney. Sadly, I know that not everyone see things the way I do, and you are correct about the more vocal right anmd christian support on the DIS, but remember there are all kinds of people in the world. If you take your kids to WDW with or with out another man who may or may not be your partner and may or may not have any kids, there will be at least someone who thinks that there is something wrong, even tho they have no personal knowledge of your situation.

WDW is probably one of the most diverse areas in the tourism world, I am willing to bet that if you and your partner and the kids go, it won't cause any odd looks. The majority of people at WDW are there to have a good time, and don't really pay attention to what is around them anyway. Hey, maybe I will see you there one day, the light bulb will go on, and I will think "Hey, that might be the guy who was worried about beong in WDW with his family." But knowing how I am usually not paying attention to the crowds around me, I don't think it will happen.

PS, there are a lot of Gay and Lesbian Cast Memners in WDW, too.

 

[Viki]

Hi Everyone! I'm new here, but this looked like the safest thread to post this question. I have been trying to figure out how gay friendly Disney actually is. Just being on the DIS there is so much diversity, but their seems to be a large Christian right group, that tends to not be the most supportive of gay rights. Also, Florida is in the southern USA, which I know is not the same at all as my location of Montreal in Canada. At the same time I saw a thread that had a poll showing the majority of DIS voters suport same sex marriage.

I know some places its better to not showcase your sexuality. I don't mean making out in public, but rather how accepting would it be for 2 dads and their kids. It's just something I haven't been able to figure out.

Hi! Welcome! Glad you found us. My DP (partner) and I are DVC members and certified disney addicts, plus I have lots of immediate family in the Orlando area that I don't see unless I fly down there (don't get me started!!!), so DP and I make quite a few visits. And it's not just the two of us, we have two adopted African American teens (we're caucasian) that we have raised since infancy and I'm pretty sure that you couldn't miss the fact that we're a family, if not exactly the majority's definition of such.


We're all affectionate with each other in all the "normal" ways and although I don't explicitly recall it, I'm pretty sure that DP and I have held hands, hugged, or given each other a peck on the cheek (but, hey, no spit!!!).

All of which is to say that we do all of that and have never had a problem at WDW - OTOH don't ask me about Phillies games

In fact, it may be true that gay CM have at times interacted with us more. At least that's what we've imagined.

Still, everything you say is true and while I haven't been to PT since before we adopted the kids (I am getting sooooo old), WDW is no PT. It is family oriented and I always assume that family orientation includes my family.

PS Although back in the day, I loved PT, and we may have to visit again someday!

 

[True North]

If you and your parner and your kids go to WDW, how would anyone know if you were gay or hetero? Unless y'all were swappin' spit or hanging all over each other, you would like like any other dads and kids. I don't think you would have any problems at WDW if you behaved as you would expect other to behave, like you said. I have seen many men with kids in the parks. I don't know if they were married and the wife was at the spa or not with them, I don't know if they were divorced and it was their turn to have the kids, I don't know anything just by seeing them in the parks. I have seen lots of men in the parks with out kids too, and it never occured to me that they might be a gay couple, just as it never occured to me that they might be 2 guys that like Disney. Sadly, I know that not everyone see things the way I do, and you are correct about the more vocal right anmd christian support on the DIS, but remember there are all kinds of people in the world. If you take your kids to WDW with or with out another man who may or may not be your partner and may or may not have any kids, there will be at least someone who thinks that there is something wrong, even tho they have no personal knowledge of your situation.

WDW is probably one of the most diverse areas in the tourism world, I am willing to bet that if you and your partner and the kids go, it won't cause any odd looks. The majority of people at WDW are there to have a good time, and don't really pay attention to what is around them anyway. Hey, maybe I will see you there one day, the light bulb will go on, and I will think "Hey, that might be the guy who was worried about beong in WDW with his family." But knowing how I am usually not paying attention to the crowds around me, I don't think it will happen.

PS, there are a lot of Gay and Lesbian Cast Memners in WDW, too.

Thanks for the info Mickeyfan! I guess I was more interested in if people we talk to ask. Example, the always popular "Where's mom?" or "which one of you is the dad?" We have never lied about that sort of stuff infront of my son, and have no intention to start. (I know, he is one and doesn't understand, but still, it's the principle of the thing.) At the same time this is our first trip over the border, so it's just good to be prepaired. A trip to Disney should be a wonderful time so I just don't want any suprises!

Also, off topic, but is it normal to call your special other your partner around here? I don't know, I just found it sounding so... ummm... profesional! I guess for me becuase Will and I are fairly young, and laws are diffrent in Canada, but he was my boyfriend, and for the past 2 years my husband. Do most same-sex couples go by partner?

 

[True North]

Viki: Thanks for all the advice, one small problem, I have no idea what PT is. I have been trying to figure it out what this non-familt place could be! Maybe I need to give it a visit!

joanjett1976 - Wonderful to see another Montrealer! On behalf of both Joanjett1976 and I, I want to invite everyone to visit Montreal. Living in the arguably most accepting city in North America is something that makes me smile everyday.

 

[joanjett1976]

joanjett1976 - Wonderful to see another Montrealer! On behalf of both Joanjett1976 and I, I want to come invite everyone to visit Montreal. Living in the arguably most accepting city in North America is something that makes me smile everyday.

I second that motion! Come visit

I just completed my reservation for DL Paris Oct 21-24. Living on the edge, I know. I usually plan months and months in advance...Will take loads od pics.

 

[Viki]

Viki: Thanks for all the advice, one small problem, I have no idea what PT is. I have been trying to figure it out what this non-familt place could be! Maybe I need to give it a visit!

joanjett1976 - Wonderful to see another Montrealer! On behalf of both Joanjett1976 and I, I want to invite everyone to visit Montreal. Living in the arguably most accepting city in North America is something that makes me smile everyday.

Oh, I'm sorry. PT- Provincetown, MA - VERY gay friendly, really gay-run, city on the tip of Cape Cod!

 

[chele3796]

Count us as another family that has gone many times and has never encountered even a raised eyebrow, let alone any unpleasant comments. Honestly, like the PP mentioned, I don't think anyone was even paying attention.

 

[SparklieSunShine]

I'm still waiting to see how me and my SO are imbraced down there. I'll let you know how it went when we return which will be November 4th.

As far as the whole partner thing goes. Me and the mrs. don't really use that term. We have been together for almost 5 years and would be married if we believed in it or it was legal. I guess it is because I hear the word partner all the time being thrown around is business and it seems cold and formal to me so I don't like using, but I know a lot of people who do. On here I use SO for significant other because I think people on message boards prefer things to be short and sweet. Everywhere else online I usually just call her the mrs. lol.

From what I have read here though Disney seems to be a fine vacation choice for same-sex couples and I look forward to relaxing and being myself.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Goodness, somethings are confusing, eh? Now as to the question of where's mom, well she is at home, we don't travel together would be a great answer. And which one of you is the dad, we both are. Then move on to another subject. ANyone asking more personal questions than that - the answer is "I'll forgive you for asking if you'll forgive me for answering".

As far as the partner thing, I tend to say partner unless I am told differently. A very close frind of mine is an a commited relationshiop and she calls her partner her wife, so I call her the same thing. She (my friend) is also called the wife by the other. I also have friends who refer to each other as husband and wife, so I go with that, too. I think that it's up to the couple, and as long as they are together and happy, it's all good.

 

[wdwjunkie2005]

My partner of eight years and I got married when it became legal in Massachusetts in '04. I refer to her as my spouse, but then people (usually customers where I work) say, "Oh, what does HE do?" I tell them I'm married to a woman. They don't really say anything then. We have been hesitant to use "wife," but have started to and it's beginning to sound "normal."

We went to THE WORLD in January for our belated honeymoon and were treated no different than anyone else.

 

[Viki]

I think partner sounds cold too, but I use it because lover sounds too hot and is really no one's business!

Neither spouse nor wife does it for me either.

One of my friends and colleagues, out of political support for lesbians and gays who can't marry, always refers to her male spouse as her partner and if anyone else does otherwise she corrects them and tells them why!

As for our roles as parents, we're both the "Moms."

 

[SparklieSunShine]

I knew a woman who did that who worked at a collage I attend. I always thought that was so great. (refered to her "husband" as her her partner I mean)

 

[Viki]

Our August trip is meandering out of control!

First it was four nights standard, four nights concierge. Then it was 8 nights concierge. And now, because my DP was having a tough time booking a Saturday flight for our Dec trip (a situation which caused us to add one night to that trip at - where else- AKL), we've just gone ahead and added another night on to our August trip, so now it's 9 nights AKL concierge!!!

And to tell the truth - after I set that up, she looks at me and says, "I'm not sure I can wait that long," and I think - to myself - how can I get a quick weekend - maybe at the Poly - in between Dec and August. Sheesh.

On other matters, my teenage daughter is very excited, Rick and company, because for a friend's birthday, she and a group of her friends are getting picked up at 3 PM this afternoon, driven to NYC, and setting sail on a dinner boat. I'm not sure she slept last night. Good for them.

 

[SparklieSunShine]

Your post made me laugh b/c I sooo completely do the same thing. This 7 day trip to Disney w/ dining plan at pop began as a short 3 day trip staying at a Days Inn off site. Then woosh! One thing lead to another. We almost went for the AKL this time, but we only decided to go in August so that didn't give us much time.
Our trip for next year is turning into much of the same and I had to take down the ticker b/c we keep changing our plans so until they are final I'm going to let it go. lol.

Still this will be our 1st vacation together ever so I'm not to sure what to expect. I think it is going to be fantastic.

Does anyone have any stories to share about there 1st vacations with there SO? I would love to hear them.

I hope everyone is well.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Also, off topic, but is it normal to call your special other your partner around here? I don't know, I just found it sounding so... ummm... profesional! I guess for me becuase Will and I are fairly young, and laws are diffrent in Canada, but he was my boyfriend, and for the past 2 years my husband. Do most same-sex couples go by partner?

Even though it sounds corporate, I think partner is probably standard american usage. Husband/wife is not a correct term in any except in the three states where your relationship can be legally recognized (unless you go out of the country to get married) and spouse always begs the gender question with the person asking always getting it wrong (with the accompanying embarassed silence). Plus I think of spouse as the label on a form, not a word I use in everyday conversation.

Personally, with gay or gay-friendly people I use "husbear" (I know it's really geeky, but you know, a lot of us are geeks). In other situations, I'll use the word partner.

And I don't know...I just think there's something strange about a 50-year-old (straight or gay) having a "boyfriend" (unless he really is a boy toy ).

 

[SeattleRedBear]

No, not Christopher Street! Husbear & I are going to DL at the end of the month to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday. Anyone from the list going to be there??

 

[True North]

Yeah, "boyfriend" sounds wierd with older people. I'm lucky to legaly say husband and be correct. It gets ride of the whole relationship part, and "coming out" part all in one easy word. Partner is more common for both straight and gay people here so it doesn't help that way. Also, because same-sex marriage is still pretty new here in Canada, I tend to get a lot of "oh wow! Congratulations!" with general excitment. I don't tend to get to tired of that.

 

[Viki]

Yeah, "boyfriend" sounds wierd with older people. I'm lucky to legaly say husband and be correct. It gets ride of the whole relationship part, and "coming out" part all in one easy word. Partner is more common for both straight and gay people here so it doesn't help that way. Also, because same-sex marriage is still pretty new here in Canada, I tend to get a lot of "oh wow! Congratulations!" with general excitment. I don't tend to get to tired of that.

No, I wouldn't get tired of it very quickly either. If the USA is going to do this state by state, however, I've got a long wait, because PA will be back at the back of that line.


We discussed it way earlier in the thread, but I'm still curious to know what WDW's policy and practice will be with regard to renewing wedding vows, now that other countries and states within the US are making gay weddings legal. On the wedding question, they've got a nice little cover - no marriages on site without a FLA license, But on the renewal question, the license wouldn't matter. Unfortunately, because we don't have the first the second isn't something we can question for our anniversary trip in August. I checked out the website on renewals and it offered no policy that I could see.