GayDays At Magic Kingdom

[Amy&Dan]

Since things seem to be totally out of control with this event I wonder what if anything Disney can do about it? It's so sad. I have a family member who is gay and have had many friends over the years who are gay and just happen to be about as normal as they come! They would be as shocked and turned off as the next guy over what is apparently happening. What bothers me is that this small minority gets to be really big since they are in one, confined place. They are winning the war on this one because they know they have Disney over a barrel and are probably getting a big kick out of all the hoopla. The saddest thing is that all the homophobics are able to say, "see I told you so". After this year and the word getting around people will stay away and the troublemakers will feel justified I guess. Maybe they should read Pete's article and realize the harm they are doing to the gay community.

 

[disneyaggie]

I am still confused as to why WDW has Gay Days anyway. It certainly does not have Christian Days or Jewish Days or DIS Board Days.

My suggestion is for those who may be offended by Gay Days (I personally would never want to attend on those days), to contact Guest Services and state your concerns. Their e-mail address is:

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

I know a while back many people had posted about the Brazillian teens who make visiting WDW less magical, and people were encouraged to write Guest Services. Until they hear our concerns, how can they make any changes (if in fact they would). At least you can say you tried.

 

[mking624]

Some homosexuals may act out at gays days, but until you know what its like to 24/7 hide your actions, to walk down main street during the happiest celebration, and NOT be able to just hold the hand of the person you love, b/c Billie Bob and is wife/sister will cause a scene... then don’t come on these boards and judge the situation.

Sorry, but it "hiding one's actions 24/7" doesn't give ANYONE the right to act out in inappropriate ways...homosexual or heterosexual. So I'm not going to buy that copout. And yes, it's a copout. When someone uses that "reasoning" as their justification to act out completely inappropriately (and Pete described it VERY well), it's a copout. And yes, I'd say the exact same thing if it was a hetersexual couple. No one is complaining about someone holding hands. I haven't seen one person say that at all. What's being complained about is indecency...the fact that people think they can and should get away with certain acts because they belong to a certain group...whether they are gay, a honeymooning couple, or some teenagers. I'm just as appalled that teens are allowed to get away with "FCUK" in a supposed family friendly park.

And if you don't like people "judging the situation" as you claim (and last time I checked, people WERE allowed to have an opinion of how they feel about things), perhaps it's best you don't judge people by saying they're living in the backwoods town in the 20s simply because they disagree with certain acts. You labeling people as "Billy Bob & his wife" is no better than what you're saying other people are doing against gays.

 

[mking624]

I am still confused as to why WDW has Gay Days anyway. It certainly does not have Christian Days or Jewish Days or DIS Board Days.

It is not Disney who hosts it. Gay Days is a separate group altogether and they choose to visit WDW at a certain time of the year. It is not Disney who says "such and such a time will be Gay Days." It's no different than if you got together with a large group of friends and decided that you all would go to Disney a certain time of year every year. Disney isn't labeling that as YOUR weekend, that was just your decision to go. So if you choose to contact Disney about this, be careful not to imply that this is their doing.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am still confused as to why WDW has Gay Days anyway. It certainly does not have Christian Days or Jewish Days or DIS Board Days.

My suggestion is for those who may be offended by Gay Days (I personally would never want to attend on those days), to contact Guest Services and state your concerns. Their e-mail address is:

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

I know a while back many people had posted about the Brazillian teens who make visiting WDW less magical, and people were encouraged to write Guest Services. Until they hear our concerns, how can they make any changes (if in fact they would). At least you can say you tried.

Actually--WDW does not organize it nor do they endorse it. If they did--I'm sure the rainbow flags would be flying on Main Street, but alas they are not--they cannot prevent people from entering the park. If a Christian or Jewish organization chooses a date and says all of those faiths can show up at the same time--they can...and WDW can do nothing about it.

The only thing they can do is to prevent offensive behavior. Refusing admission to those who wear obscene shirts, ejection from the park of those who are behaving inappropriately (hand holding and kissing are minor..."making out"---inapprorpriate by anybody). Gay Days isn't the problem---it is the WDW relaxing its guard when it comes to the everyday rules of the park.


***and before anybody says they can refuse admittance to anybody---yes Disney could..but they really can't. The last time I checked, you needed to pony up the money for a ticket and that they cannot refuse admittance in a discriminatory fashion.

I mean--do we want WALT Disney World or WHITE Disney World (or Hetero, American, Fla-resident world)---et cetera. It is for EVERYONE. And if Disney starts having stats requirements of their patrons....they'd be in a lot of hot water with guests and probably the law.

That being said--I thought the kind of behavior discussed was reserved for the nighttime at Pleasure Island. It is a real eye opener to hear that it is not.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Hate to inform you on this... But as a gay man, whose been "married" for 6 years... i hate watching heterosexuals in the park making out. I hate how I feel like i cant hold my partners hand, or steal a kiss on a ride. I I hate how heterosexual kids walk around with "FCUK" shirts on, and or wear the same shirts you are claiming were worn by these offensive homosexuals.

You need realize your living in 2005, in America...

And that’s all I have to say about that. lol

Hetero mom of three young ones here, and I haven't been to Gay Days so I can't comment on whether things have "gotten out of hand," but in general I support gay Days....(Not big on rude shirts or PDA's from ANY group - I do not find the actions of one group more offensive than any other group....)

ECurto, I too, hate that you have been made to feel uncomfortable and don't feel that you can hold hands or steal a kiss on a ride...I wish we lived in a society that allowed you to feel as comfortable as I do to do those same things with my partner. I just watned to say that should you decide to hold your partner's hand at WDW, it would in NO WAY take away from the magic of our trip! I wish it were that way for everyone.

I am not worried about explaining things to my children (actually I welcome any opportunity to talk to my children about all sorts of things...) My children have asked why two men are kissing (in other settings) and I have told them, "They must be happy to see each other" and "they must love each other." No big deal to me - and no big deal to my kids (6, 4, and 3).

I do hope that by the time my children are grown that society as a whole will have become increasingly more tolerant. (And who knows, perhaps with more tolerance, there will be a greater balance, and fewer people will feel the need to get out of hand...).

Peace, Love and Mickey Mouse.

 

[JoyG]

Although Disney doesn't sponsor Gay Days...I wonder if they could do something about the raunchy tshirts or something...like at the gate ask patrons to change or refuse admission to someone wearing something obscene. This goes for other patrons too, not just gay ones. For example, a poster above stated this is not "White Disney" and disney is for everyone. What if a bunch of skin heads decided they wanted to organize a Disney Day? You couldn't refuse to admit them, but if they were wearing rascist or obscene t-shirts proclaiming their message would they be allowed to stay? I don't have the answers to any of these questions, just thinking aloud.

Joy

 

[Tiziminchac]

I mean--do we want WALT Disney World or WHITE Disney World (or Hetero, American, Fla-resident world)---et cetera. It is for EVERYONE. And if Disney starts having stats requirements of their patrons....they'd be in a lot of hot water with guests and probably the law.

Hey! I like the Fla-Resident World idea!

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Sorry, but it "hiding one's actions 24/7" doesn't give ANYONE the right to act out in inappropriate ways...homosexual or heterosexual. So I'm not going to buy that copout. And yes, it's a copout. When someone uses that "reasoning" as their justification to act out completely inappropriately (and Pete described it VERY well), it's a copout. And yes, I'd say the exact same thing if it was a hetersexual couple. No one is complaining about someone holding hands. I haven't seen one person say that at all. What's being complained about is indecency...the fact that people think they can and should get away with certain acts because they belong to a certain group...whether they are gay, a honeymooning couple, or some teenagers..

I agree with you to an extent...hiding one's action's 24/7 doesn't give anyone a *right* to act indecently, but I see it as a vicious part of the cycle of social injustice. With cases of social injustice, it tends to take a few "unrulies" going to extremes to help effect change. And often it can hurt a cause, but it still helps in other ways...

As for nobody complaining about people holding hands, there certainly are those who would like to complain about that but they realize that would look bad so they hide their true objections by complaining about the over the top behaviors. It's easy to diguise your prejudice in a more acceptable form when talking about homophobia. And this concerns me. Hate crimes aren't committed because somebody crossed a line with a vulgar t-shirt or crazy PDA. Hate crimes are committed on a prejudice that is set off by the mere thoughts of others actions. So, some may not openly complain about hand holding, they are very much against it. (And there are those who are honeslty accepting of or at least tolerant of homosexual behaivior hwo are not bothered by hand holding, but are by really explicit shirts or PDA's -- I'm not asying all who comapling about the PDA's are bothered by hand bholding, but some are even if they don't voice it that way).

I don't know...prejudice can be so insidious, and I just don't like that those who are extremely intolerant are able to hide behind a more socially acceptable platform. That's what causes some to hide their actions 24/7 to begin with.

When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are....

 

[vegasnw]

I am still confused as to why WDW has Gay Days anyway. It certainly does not have Christian Days or Jewish Days or DIS Board Days.

My suggestion is for those who may be offended by Gay Days (I personally would never want to attend on those days), to contact Guest Services and state your concerns. Their e-mail address is:

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

I know a while back many people had posted about the Brazillian teens who make visiting WDW less magical, and people were encouraged to write Guest Services. Until they hear our concerns, how can they make any changes (if in fact they would). At least you can say you tried.

Disney has the "NIGHT OF JOY".. it is a special event held every year. They close the park and special tickets are purchased. So you are wrong when you say they don't have special events for other groups.

As it has been stated, it's not a DISNEY thing and it's not JUST at Disney. All of the theme parks in Orlando have a larger then normal crowd and they have as much right as you or others do to travel to Orlando.

What concerns do you want us to state in an email to Disney when it comes to these kinda weekends? What kinda changes would you like to see happen during this weekend? What do you think Disney can do about gay people coming into the parks when they have paid for a ticket? I'm not understanding the comment on emailing Disney....

I have a couple of friends that are gay who have been together for 19 years now and I see how they are treated by others and in the news. I see how people look down on them and I have seen how people who don't even know then talk about them like they are scum just because they are gay. And I have had to choose sides because some redneck thinks he is better then they are. I have a problem with anyone who thinks thats okay to treat someone like that.

 

[buddy&wooz]

I am still confused as to why WDW has Gay Days anyway. It certainly does not have Christian Days or Jewish Days or DIS Board Days.

They do host Night of Joy which is Christian music, and like others have said Disney does not "host" Gay Day, the people that go that day are just very well organized!

As far as the inappropriate shirts- I agree it's up to Disney to enforce some kind of rules for this, not just on Gay Day, but I see some really nasty stuff on teens and even little kids (matching daddy, of course.) If they want to keep WDW the fantasy world it is, they have the right to expect certain decorum from the guests.

Dating myself- but back in the early 80's my cousin's husband was not allowed to wear a shirt with a marijuana leaf graphic into Disneyland- he either had to buy a new shirt or turn his inside out (he chose the latter.) No reason they can't reinstate those kinds of rules.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Although Disney doesn't sponsor Gay Days...I wonder if they could do something about the raunchy tshirts or something...like at the gate ask patrons to change or refuse admission to someone wearing something obscene. This goes for other patrons too, not just gay ones. For example, a poster above stated this is not "White Disney" and disney is for everyone. What if a bunch of skin heads decided they wanted to organize a Disney Day? You couldn't refuse to admit them, but if they were wearing rascist or obscene t-shirts proclaiming their message would they be allowed to stay? I don't have the answers to any of these questions, just thinking aloud.

Joy

Disney has a dress code that guests must abide buy. You must wear shoes, shirts (and something on the bottom, too!). YOu cannot wear anything offensive or obscene---and those laws..it has been a long time since I was in college and learned the laws about that--but they differ community to community and it is the tolerance of the community that sets to parameters for what is obscene and what is not. What may be obscene or offensive in Podunk--would be just fine in NYC. Well at Disney--where the main clientele is families...what might be fine in NYC is certainly not okay at Disney.

Usually the protocol is to change shirts/clothes....or turn the offending shirt inside out. Sounds like protocol wasn't followed as it seems many were wearing offending shirts. It isn't a guest problem (it is kind of) it is a cast member problem.

If ever you see an offending behavior--report it to a CM immediately. It is their job to handle it. I've seen it in action with a smoker--and I tell you it was almost priceless the reaction on the guests face when they were told they couldn't do something that they felt was just fine to do where it was not allowed. Yes, I'm a snitch and proud of it! If you break the rules and it affects me, I do let it be known!

Some people believe they are above the rules of society and wear their "trash" wherever they want and it is time for Disney to step up to the plate and enforce their own rules.

 

[mking624]

I agree with you to an extent...hiding one's action's 24/7 doesn't give anyone a *right* to act indecently, but I see it as a vicious part of the cycle of social injustice. With cases of social injustice, it tends to take a few "unrulies" going to extremes to help effect change. And often it can hurt a cause, but it still helps in other ways...

As for nobody complaining about people holding hands, there certainly are those who would like to complain about that but they realize that would look bad so they hide their true objections by complaining about the over the top behaviors. It's easy to diguise your prejudice in a more acceptable form when talking about homophobia. And this concerns me. Hate crimes aren't committed because somebody crossed a line with a vulgar t-shirt or crazy PDA. Hate crimes are committed on a prejudice that is set off by the mere thoughts of others actions. So, some may not openly complain about hand holding, they are very much against it. (And there are those who are honeslty accepting of or at least tolerant of homosexual behaivior hwo are not bothered by hand holding, but are by really explicit shirts or PDA's -- I'm not asying all who comapling about the PDA's are bothered by hand bholding, but some are even if they don't voice it that way).

I don't know...prejudice can be so insidious, and I just don't like that those who are extremely intolerant are able to hide behind a more socially acceptable platform. That's what causes some to hide their actions 24/7 to begin with.

When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are....

I understand what you're saying, however the issue of this thread had nothing to do with hand holding or mild things like that. It had to do with people wearing obscene shirts or acting out in very inappropriate ways. So I think it's quite unfair for anyone to all of a sudden turn this thread into that because it had nothing to do with that. As I said, Pete described it very well. And when a homosexual man can even recognize the problem occuring, then people should open their eyes and see there IS a problem. I have been to WDW twice during Gay Days. I do not agree with the homosexual lifestyle, yet I was not bothered by the event in and of itself any mroe than I am bothered by a group of foreign students coming to visit WDW. I recognize that ANY person should enjoy the fun of WDW. That said, I HAVE seen some of the stuff that Pete has described. I've seen the same stuff done by heterosexual couples and I HAVE called them out on it (I remember clearly this one time I sternly informed a young couple groping each other in a pool that children were right in front of them...they got out and went back to their room). I have no problem addressing an issue of indecency, no matter WHAT lifestyle a person leads. Indecency is not prevalent in only one group of people.

We also need to be careful that we are not equating those who disagree with homosexuality with those who are committing hate crimes. I disagree with homosexuality but that doesn't mean I go out and commit a hate crime. Let's not turn this thread into that. The need to come down on those who may not support homosexuality can imply prejudice as well...a prejudice against those who have a differing opinion. Now, I am in no way saying that we should just accept the actions of anyone who treats another in an inhumane way or expects them to hide like animals. But neither should we expect everyone to accept something they feel is wrong (as long as they aren't using their beliefs in a very wrong way...because that, too, is VERY wrong). We have to remember that true tolerance doesn't exist. We can hope and wish for it all we want, but it will never exist. Why? Because true tolerance cannot tolerate intolerance. So we can't force people to be tolerant. We can, however, encourage people to care about people, even if they disagree with their lifestyle.

Social injustice or not...every person has the full ability to choose how they're going to act. In cases like this, it only hurts the image they want to build up...not help it. I may disagree with homosexuality, but it has never prevented me from building friendships with someone who is a homosexual. Just as I would hope that my beliefs as a born again Christian wouldn't prevent someone from building a friendship with me (since people can be "intolerant" of my beliefs as well). I personally know that most homosexuals are not the way a select few may "represent" them to be (for lack of a better word). Just like someone proclaiming to be a Christian who acts out in unbecoming ways does not represent the Christian people as a whole (and trust me, I quickly distance myself from people who choose to represent my beliefs in a way that is truly wrong). But because there are people in this world who aren't accustomed to things like this, wouldn't you agree that you would want to represent yourself in a way that gains respect and a voice? Acting in unbecoming ways has a tendency to make others stop listening...and I'm sure I can safely say that the homosexual community doesn't want to be not listened to. Everyone...homosexuals and heterosexuals...need to remember that people are watching how the other lives. Every single person in this world is represents something in their lives...they are an example of what they represent. They key is whether we will be a good example which in turn allows others to really listen to what we have to say...or be a bad example which furthers a supposed prejudice.

 

[bicker]

Since things seem to be totally out of control with this event I wonder what if anything Disney can do about it?

For a variety of reasons, I believe the answer is Nothing. If these folks aren't damaging Disney property, and they're not doing anything that Orange County Police would do anything about, there is nothing Disney can do that wouldn't end up being a disaster. In tough situations like this, it is appropriate for world-class companies to rely on the standards of society, as embodied in the law, rather than putting themselves in the position of moral arbiter.

I am still confused as to why WDW has Gay Days anyway.

I know it has been clarified about a hundred times already, but because the confusion is still out there, it bears frequent repeating: Disney has nothing to do with Gay Days.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

For a variety of reasons, I believe the answer is Nothing. If these folks aren't damaging Disney property, and they're not doing anything that Orange County Police would do anything about, there is nothing Disney can do that wouldn't end up being a disaster. In tough situations like this, it is appropriate for world-class companies to rely on the standards of society, as embodied in the law, rather than putting themselves in the position of moral arbiter.

Actually--their thermostat for morality is it's client base. Not necessarily the city of Orlando. As the Reedy Creek something or other--they set their codes, they set their rules---at minimum to meet the county/state of their locale. So they could have a lower threshold for obscenity/offensiveness than surrounding communities. Magic Kingdom especially--it is frequented by children....and what they will be exposed to in terms of obscenity/offensiveness trumps what you could get away with jogging around Lake Eola.

On that note--does anybody know where to find WDW's policy on this matter?


(btw--I love how well you post on most any topic so please forgive my pedestrian posting style ).

 

[bicker]

Reedy Creek isn't authorized to maintain its own police force. Those services are provided by the county. WDW Security is just like any other company's security department, nothing more. Also, Reedy Creek cannot pass its own municipal statutes regarding criminal laws. Again, the county's (and state's) municipal laws prevail, enforced by county personnel.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

I have a problem with anyone who thinks thats okay to treat someone like that.

I'm with you vegasnw.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Reedy Creek isn't authorized to maintain its own police force. Those services are provided by the county. WDW Security is just like any other company's security department, nothing more. Also, Reedy Creek cannot pass its own municipal statutes regarding criminal laws. Again, the county's (and state's) municipal laws prevail, enforced by county personnel.

No but they are entitled to set forth a dress code if they wish. It is private property. If they don't want shirts with profanity---someone cannot say their free speech rights are being violated. They have to comply with what Disney says or just not go to Disney that day.

Disney has the right to enforce a dress code. I'm still interested in what that is. Perhaps I will dig up an old park map.

And I do recall seeing for the first time an OC sheriff issuing a speeding ticket on property.

 

[GrumperFL]

As mentioned, the OP had a problem with INDECENCY, not with a few men holding hands or sharing a small kiss.
As an eye-witness to this event, the main problem was, in fact, the very descriptive slogans on the red-shirts. Not being from a "back-woods" town, I found the description of bodily fluid exchange, genital size, sexual techniques as offensive. I believe MOST people would be offended. I feel this thread is going places that the OP didn't intend. Just a thought ...

 

[bicker]

For a variety of reasons, I believe the answer is Nothing. If these folks aren't damaging Disney property, and they're not doing anything that Orange County Police would do anything about, there is nothing Disney can do that wouldn't end up being a disaster. In tough situations like this, it is appropriate for world-class companies to rely on the standards of society, as embodied in the law, rather than putting themselves in the position of moral arbiter.

but they are entitled to set forth a dress code if they wish. It is private property.

Of course, but my point was that without being able to cite municipal law, that is a minefield that no company can navigate without incurring disaster.