Gay Pride Week?

[MichelleChell]

I think we are all adults here in the yr 2006 and stop the madness.

I agree it will be crowded. If you don't want your kids to see men holding hands then don't take them then.

 

[WDWPartyof5]

Wow...never thought I'd see talk like this here of all places. WDW strives to be the most ethnically & politically diverse park. What's the difference between straight people showing public affection and gay people showing public affection. And why shouldn't children know of all aspects of life? The reason people are so prejudiced nowadays is because kids aren't taught that gay life is just as normal as straight life. And when they grow up, they're scared or intimidated of the new things they haven't seen before. I'm sorry, but there is no difference between the behavior of straight or gay men & women. Believe me, I'm friends with enough of both...

Awesome post!

Also, I don't see the point in hiding this from children. Be honest with them, and let them know that this is "normal". If we raise our children to be tolerant of other people's beliefs and relationships, they are less likely to carry on the prejudices of past generations.

 

[Jalva22]

I think the OP is going out of her way to be honest and non-judgmental. Please treat her with the same respect.

 

[88Keys]

Wow...never thought I'd see talk like this here of all places.

Then you must not have seen the previous 120-some discussions on the topic of Gay Days here on the DIS.

They all go the same and end fruitlessly with no one's mind being changed and the topic getting closed. I like to think of these posts as the stability of my life as I can look forward to them, oh, about once a month. Go on...do a search....you'll see

 

[goofy4tink]

It is my understanding, from posts from previous years, that a lot of the 'bad behaviour' has been at the hotels they are staying in. From what I heard, there was a huge contingent of gay/lesbian folk staying at, maybe a DTD?, hotel, and there were some pretty raunchy things going on. But, I think that for the most part you aren't going to be seeing much more during Gay Days that you aren't going to see anytime else...just a lot more red!! Especially in the MK.

It was at WDW that I had 'the talk' with my dd, then 10. She was sick, and resting at our resort. She was reading a teen magazine I had gotten for her in the giftshop. So, when she turned to me and asked..."Ah Mom, what does it mean if someone says someone else is 'gay'? 'Cause they're saying it here and I don't think they are talking about being happy!" Oh my....well, since we have a gay uncle and a lesbian aunt in our family, I figured the time had come, and I did explain it to her. No big deal. Knowledge is power...however, it is up to the individual family/parent to decide what knowledge their particular child should have. I have a much bigger issue with the behaviour of some of the teens we see in WDW

I don't think this discussion has gotten out of hand and so far it has been pretty well mannered. Keep up the good work DISers!!!!!

 

[mattsdragon]

You know what, if people don't want to expose their children to certain activities at a young age, that is their rights as parents. Why are they the close minded ones? Isn't it close minded to think that they are just being prejudiced, and instilling prejudice in their childred? Why is it suddenly taboo to attempt to maintain a child's innocence towards the world? She asked a polite question, and she deserves a little more civility.

 

[doombuggy3]

She asked a polite question, and she deserves a little more civility.

I agree. EVERYONE is going to have a different opinion on issues, everyone comes from different places, backgrounds, and families. I come from a family where I was told the truth about everything and left to draw my own conclusions. Some families though choose to teach it at different ways and different times. I know some people might feel personally insulted if someone states their opinion or makes an ignorant comment, but just try to keep in mind that everyone is different and these forums are for talking about opinions and feelings we have on different subjects. Try to think of a positive way to attack the issue, but not necessarily the person! After all, we do all have on thing in common...A LOVE FOR DW!!!!

 

[mherb]

Sorry but being "undisneylike" has nothing to do with being gay. I have seen some of the rudest people in my life at Disney and they were there with there husbands, wives, children etc. Might there be rude people that are homosexual? certainly! but it doesn't matter whether you are gay or straight there are rude people everywhere.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

You know what, if people don't want to expose their children to certain activities at a young age, that is their rights as parents. Why are they the close minded ones?

I'm in total agreement with this. that's why we avoid Orlando that time of year. unfortunately, there's a big billboard promoting it on I-4 on the way into town. that's why there's a DVD player in the car for distraction.

 

[kaytieeldr]

we live in a small rural town, two people of the same sex holding hands or showing affection would be shocking to my small children . That is also something I would like to avoid at this point explaining to my children. Nothing against any race of people. I just as a parent don't want to explain it yet.

First, homosexual is not a race. Second, chances are excellent kids won't even notice, especially younger ones. And if they do ask, the simple, sensible response is "They like each other".

BY THE WAY, it needs to be stressed, this is not a Disney-sponsored event. Disney doesn't discriminate, but Gay Days are a privately-organized event. The event planners, private citizens, pay for that billboard.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

Wow...never thought I'd see talk like this here of all places. WDW strives to be the most ethnically & politically diverse park. What's the difference between straight people showing public affection and gay people showing public affection. And why shouldn't children know of all aspects of life? The reason people are so prejudiced nowadays is because kids aren't taught that gay life is just as normal as straight life. And when they grow up, they're scared or intimidated of the new things they haven't seen before. I'm sorry, but there is no difference between the behavior of straight or gay men & women. Believe me, I'm friends with enough of both...

people are a lot more tolerant these days than any time in history....don't you think?

 

[Paul in TX]

Our first encounter with "gay Days" our daughter was 6---we saw 4 men skipping down main st in those pointed princess hats with the plume----about 5 minutes later we saw 2 older married couples in those green Goofy tophats-------our daughters only observation was that adults wore silly hats at Disney

over the years we've observed far greater risque behavior from senior trips and tour groups than we've ever observed in early June---

jmho

 

[Sylvester McBean]

BY THE WAY, it needs to be stressed, this is not a Disney-sponsored event. Disney doesn't discriminate, but Gay Days are a privately-organized event. The event planners, private citizens, pay for that billboard.

we're well aware of that fact. it's just one we try to avoid, just like the church sponsored billboards. just because you have the first amendment and the cash to buy the advertising space, it doesn't mean I want to read your message.

 

[Sammie]

Here in lies the problem with these discussions. I will not state my beliefs on this issue, as they are personal.

However every human being has the right to decide what is "normal". To some that might include gay relationships, to others it might not. To condemn those that don't believe as you, makes you wrong also. Tolerance goes both ways.

 

[Iggipolka]

Not addressed to the OP who has had her question regarding the time of GD's answered quite adequately.

BTW: Gay and lesbian people go to Disney throughout the entire year, just like everyone else. So, anytime you go to Disney, you run the "risk" of seeing gay and lesbian people.

Just like when you go to a store, the movies, the gas station, the library, your doctor's office (ect ect) you are likely to come in contact with a gay or lesbian or even transgendered person.

If you go in March, you may see the wife and I holding hands and happily walking down Mainstreet along with a lot of other happy gay and straight couples just enjoying Disney Magic.

 

[Linzybrooke]

don't wear a red shirt and you'll be OK.

Ditto! Last year several women tried to pick up my mom, it was hilarious because she had no idea how to react.

The crowds and the weather were great while we were there but we did experience some very vulgar behaviour at Magic Kingdom including some very inappropriate comments directed at people in the parades. It was all from one gentleman but the woman next to me finally got a cast member because the comments were very lude and her toddler asked her what one of them meant...this is by no means a reflection on the group as a whole but it does go to show that one person can ruin it for everyone, I felt really sorry for that mother.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

what I don't understand is how I'm fortunate enough to live in a country where I can call my public officials and tell them I totally disdain their political agendas without oppression. but I'm told by common people I have to 'tolerate' their sexual views.

umm, no I don't.

 

[LukenDC]

Disney is incredibly diverse and you will encounter people of ALL sexual orientations, races, religions, geographic regions, etc. EVERY day of the year there. That is the true beauty of the Disney experience and America in general.

 

[goofy4tink]

Here in lies the problem with these discussions. I will not state my beliefs on this issue, as they are personal.

However every human being has the right to decide what is "normal". To some that might include gay relationships, to others it might not. To condemn those that don't believe as you, makes you wrong also. Tolerance goes both ways.

Yep....my family doesn't think I'm 'normal' since I'm such a Disney fanatic. I'm so happy being 'not normal' based on their beliefs.

 

[subtchr]

Our first encounter with "gay Days" our daughter was 6---we saw 4 men skipping down main st in those pointed princess hats with the plume----about 5 minutes later we saw 2 older married couples in those green Goofy tophats-------our daughters only observation was that adults wore silly hats at Disney

over the years we've observed far greater risque behavior from senior trips and tour groups than we've ever observed in early June---

jmho

This is such a great post...sometimes we worry way too much about our kids' reactions to things!

I also have to admit that when I first read the last line, instead of high school seniors, an image popped in my head of a group of senior citizens...nah, we won't go there.....