Gay Pride Week?

[TammyAlphabet]

And while that wouldn't bother me as an adult, I do not want my children, who have never seen such a thing, to exposed to that while at Disney World.
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.​

How about this:

"Why are those men holding hands?"

"I guess cause it's DisneyWorld and they're happy."

"Why are those women kissing?"

"I guess they're in love."

It really doesn't have to be any harder than that if, indeed, you yourself don't have a problem with it, and don't want your children to have a problem with it.

I think you are oversimplifying the potential exchange. Did you happen to read Pete's column last year after this event? There was quite a bit more than hand holding and kissing going on.

 

[orljustin]

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.

Ummm, maybe it's because your elected officials are there to represent you, or at least the majority that elected them.

You have no right sticking your nose into other people's personal business.

 

[Brian Noble]

Did you happen to read Pete's column last year after this event?

I read it. And, all due respect to our fearless leader, he sounded like he had an axe to grind.

The other first-hand reports I've read are positive much more often than they are negative.

 

[skyhawk]

Ok - a different perspective. Let me preface by saying I am not prejudice agains any race, religion, or orientation. That being said, I stayed at Coronado Springs a few months ago. At the time, there was a convention of people of a certain ethnic group. Now, as I said, I am not prejudice, but the people involved in the convention occopied much of the grounds of the hotel, with certain music and ethnic traditions. While I understood their right to do this, I must admit I was a bit uncomfortable. I think that is what many of the posters that wish to avoid "Gay Week" are afraid of. They are not prejudice against gays, but it is a different "culture" than what many people are familiar with and comfortable with. If they wish to avoid this week, it does not mean they are prejudice.

 

[KatheeME]

What do you define "undisney like"? I am 36 and have seen "undisney like" behavior from all walks of life. I am not trying to start any issues, I just think this comment was unnecessary.

I find it unnecessary, frustrating, and a little sad ....

 

[KatheeME]

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...

Thanks so much for saying exactly how I feel.

 

[JRawkSteady]

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

hehe, it would seem so... but tolerance and acceptance are two completely different things.

 

[RescueRanger]

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.

Wow, I couldn't have said it better myself.

Oh, and JRawksteady, no one has to accept anything. This is America and people are free to choose how they believe. It is you who needs to be more tolerant.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Wow, I couldn't have said it better myself.

Oh, and JRawksteady, no one has to accept anything. This is America and people are free to choose how they believe. It is you who needs to be more tolerant.

Disliking/hating/hurting/verbally abusing someone who isn't the same race, religion, sexual orientation is not what freedom is about, my friend. I feel sorry for anyone who was brought up to hate. I really do. Your lives must be really really sad.

 

[KevinM]

I have found that certain groups fight vigorously for personal freedom of expression, and then label others as "intolerant" or "offensive" when they express their own, opposing viewpoint. It's a convenient way of doing and saying whatever you want without fear of being challenged.
Imagine the outcry if a group put up a billboard inviting people to "Heterosexual Day" at Disney World?

 

[Linzybrooke]

Ok - a different perspective. Let me preface by saying I am not prejudice agains any race, religion, or orientation. That being said, I stayed at Coronado Springs a few months ago. At the time, there was a convention of people of a certain ethnic group. Now, as I said, I am not prejudice, but the people involved in the convention occopied much of the grounds of the hotel, with certain music and ethnic traditions. While I understood their right to do this, I must admit I was a bit uncomfortable. I think that is what many of the posters that wish to avoid "Gay Week" are afraid of. They are not prejudice against gays, but it is a different "culture" than what many people are familiar with and comfortable with. If they wish to avoid this week, it does not mean they are prejudice.

This is exactly the issue at hand. In my experience everytime I go to WDW and some sort of event, either sponsored or not, is taking place the group tends to walk all over the parks and resorts as if they own them, with little regard to others. I have been there during the National Cheerleading Championship, taken part in the National Dance Championship, gone with a giant group of marching bands from Minnesota, seen College football teams take over, giant tour groups from overseas, some Christian Rally and Gay Days. It isn't the orientation, beliefs, or groups that I have problems with but the way they treat the other guests at the parks. Each time I am there and something is going on I see an increase in linebutting, bad language, inappropriate behaviour and everything that goes along with it. Why do I notice? Because they wear team/group t-shirts that cause the behaviour to stand out as being part of the group. If they events took place and no one wore clothing that identified them as group members I am willing to bet that hardly any of us would notice that it was even taking place.

Bottom line, I get irritated when ANY group of people acts like they own the place. It can ruin it for the rest of us. This being said, in my experience the cheerleaders were the worst...I've never seen so many bottoms hanging out of tiny shorts in my life...

 

[horsegirl]

If they wish to avoid this week, it does not mean they are prejudice.

yes it does.

 

[mickeyfan2]

yes it does.

I'm sorry I see it differently so please explain this to me. I will be going this year with DH for the first time. We our celebrating our anniversary. We will avoid the MK on Saturday due to the # of people who attend on a Saturday (locals too). Am I anti-gay. Oh yeah one of my favorite cousins is gay (and his SO is a great guy too), so I don't know what I am talking about?

 

[RescueRanger]

Disliking/hating/hurting/verbally abusing someone who isn't the same race, religion, sexual orientation is not what freedom is about, my friend. I feel sorry for anyone who was brought up to hate. I really do. Your lives must be really really sad.

I don't believe my post said anything about hate. I do not hate anyone. You certainly are assuming a great deal with the abusing comment. You don't even know me. In fact, I didn't even post what my PERSONAL view is. However, I would like to thank you for making my point for me. It is you who has no tolerance for people who do not believe as you do. I feel sorry for you as you were obviously brought up not to respect the rights of others. You truly must lead a pathetic life.

 

[JRawkSteady]

I completely agree Linzy - That's basically what I was trying to say. Every day there's people acting inappropriately. No use in singling out one group, you know?

That would be fine if we had a heterosexual day or a heterosexual parade. That's our right. Plus it would be fun! I'm not being intolerant - I'm just not promoting ignorance.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

You have no right sticking your nose into other people's personal business.

I've never walked up to someone and asked their race, religion, sexual preferences, political slant, etc... that would be sticking my nose into other's people's business.

here's an absurd example of my point. a percentage of the population chooses to do heroin. it's their lifestyle. they organize 'heroin days' at WDW on their own. they shoot up, and go to the parks and have fun. they wear clothing that speaks of their love of the drug. does that affect me? not at all. but I don't condone the use of heroin, so I don't attend during that time period.

people can live however they want, I do. but I see examples of behavior everyday from people I don't agree with, so I choose not to associate with those kinds of people. we used to be able to have our own opinions in this country. now if you have an opinion and it's in regard to someone, they take it as a personal attack. you're 'intolerent' or 'unaccepting'. somehow if you don't agree with and accept every one of the almost 300 million people in this country, you're a un-PC jerk. no.... I just don't take the family to WDW during gay days.

 

[KevinM]

here's an absurd example of my point. a percentage of the population chooses to do heroin. it's their lifestyle. they organize 'heroin days' at WDW on their own. they shoot up, and go to the parks and have fun. they wear clothing that speaks of their love of the drug. does that affect me? not at all. but I don't condone the use of heroin, so I don't attend during that time period.

QUOTE]

You better watch what you say: drug addiction is now considered a "disease". Those poor people are victims. Despite the fact that they chose to begin abusing the drug..........

Everyone is a victim.

 

[JRawkSteady]

I don't believe my post said anything about hate. I do not hate anyone. You certainly are assuming a great deal with the abusing comment. You don't even know me. In fact, I didn't even post what my PERSONAL view is. However, I would like to thank you for making my point for me. It is you who has no tolerance for people who do not believe as you do. I feel sorry for you as you were obviously brought up not to respect the rights of others. You truly must lead a pathetic life.

Wow - you completely misinterpreted that. I was not speaking of you. I was speaking of a couple of the other posters who had a very narrow look on the situation. But thanks for telling me how I was brought up, because I stand up for anyone who is treated unfairly. I'm going to go back to my pathetic life where people actually like me because I don't judge them.

 

[orljustin]

but I'm told by common people I have to 'tolerate' their sexual views.

umm, no I don't.

You do have to tolerate them. You choose to do so by avoiding them, but that is still tolerating them.

 

[JRawkSteady]

I'm just stating for the record that this is a friendly board and because of all the unfriendly attitude in this post, I am stopping the conversation here.

I'm surprised some of the people who posted here aren't upset about having Morocco in the World Showcase. Honestly, some of my friends (who happen to be gay men & women) would be crushed if they heard the things some of you were saying. Why don't you all just grow up and learn that we're all people - Regardless of what we look like or who we'd like to spend the rest of our life with. We're all human beings. And unless they're hurting someone else, we should respect one another.

That's all I have to say about this topic at this time.