Gays Days..BIL called me worried. Need help.

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I agree with the comments about it being preferable to the cheerleaders (I have experienced Pop Warner time, first hand - never again!) and groups of rude teens - anyday!!!!

We had friends who went one year at this time - and they are no way as open and accepting as we are - and it wasn't a big deal for them.

Is it still true that red shirts are very popular and if you are a straight man who is a little uncomfortable, you should avoid wearing a red shirt? - I had heard that in the past.

 

[goofygirl]

Worried about what??


Explaining something to his kids? Sorry, but that's a parent's job.

 

[CathrynRose]

Is it still true that red shirts are very popular and if you are a straight man who is a little uncomfortable, you should avoid wearing a red shirt? - I had heard that in the past.

It was in 2004. We were living there at the time, and when we decided to go to MK for the afternoon, I (being the huge Disney nerd-o I am) had forgotten the "first weekend in June = Gay Days"

We pulled up on the ferry and my fiance said to me "Why is everyone wearing red??" And the little light bulb above my head went off and I remembered! "OMG!" and started laughing like a mad women. And my fiance didnt believe me until we asked Security at the gate.

Thankfully Jimmy was not decked out in red....

 

[chris1gill]

We were there last year. We didn't go to MK on Saturday, but were in the other parks all weekend.

Our kids were 14, 12 and 9, and are by no means sheltered. As we were sitting at the Orlando airport, waiting to leave town, I asked each child individually how many gay people they noticed. EACH ONE SAID "NONE."

ROFL... This would be MY children!! They would be TOTALLY in the dark on this one LOL... Unless they actually fell over someone showing PDA they wouldn't notice a THING!!

As for the OP, I would just skip the MK on that Saturday... way too many crowds IMHO...

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I just talked to BIL...I gave him the website and all the great advice. He is a newbie and has never been to WDW.

I told him to avoid MK on June 3rd and don't wear red. He said OK.
So all is well, thank YOU!

 

[Brianne]

I want to say that one "event" is being held at MGM on June 2nd as well--might want to double-check that, but I'm pretty certain it is because I was planning my days around their events due to the crowd factor.

 

[barkley]

i hope the bil never plans on bringing the kids to visit california-in our neck of the woods he would encounter a large gay/bi/transgender population. great people who participate in community activities, school events, live side by side with us as valued neighbors and friends....and i have to say my kids are far better by virtue of having the opportunity to meet and know people of lifestyles alternative to that they experience within their home-very open and unjudgemental. they are however offended (as are my husband and i) by blatent overboard public displays of affection...

oh but wait-it's the "straight" teens and adults we observe doing this 99% of the time

 

[jacksonsmom]

The Gay Days guests were just some of the thousands of guests in the park. I guess if your BIL is LOOKING to be upset by the very presence of gay people, he will be. Otherwise, it should nave no impact on his trip at all.

.

I totally 100% agree with this.

We went twice during "Gay Days" the first time we had no idea and when I heard about I was worried, mostly about crowds. But after researching I knew to avoid MK on that Saturday and all was fine.

Gay people don't bother me, so I was just worried about crowds.

Now I will say heavy PDA (holding hands is fine) by ANY ONE, gay or otherwise, is not something I want to see on vacation.

Sure I saw gays on both of my trip during Gay Days, but I also say them on my other trips!
I will say I have NEVER saw any thing from Gay people that I would not want my 6 yr old son to see, BUT I HAVE seen some teenagers doing things I would not him to see

 

[Disney Doll]

Personally, I'd rather spend a day in the parks with 15,000 flamingly flamboyant homosexuals in drag, playing Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, than have to spend it with cheerleaders.

Oh Tag Fairy, where are you?????????????

Meanwhile, I was there during gay days a few years ago and didn't even realize it till we got home.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Someone at his work told him that men run around with their shirts off yelling "gay pride" and making out in front of everyone.

I remember a DISer posting that he saw a bunch of men coming off the monorail yelling, "We're here, we're queer, get used to it!!" That would be annoying. Just as much as someone who isn't gay going around WDW yelling, "We're straight, don't hate, get used to it!!"

 

[LindaR]

I have to say that this is our favorite time to go! DD17 and I have gone several years in a row during Gay Days. It really freaks out alot of people. We've had the best conversations with folks during this time. When we go to the parks during other times alot of families are very lacking in friendliness (whether in line for an attraction or sitting in a restaurant). I think the couples and groups go out of their way to be friendly to those who are accepting.

If you are looking for something "wrong" you can find THAT anytime and anywhere!

 

[WeirdEyes]

Someone at his work told him that men run around with their shirts off yelling "gay pride" and making out in front of everyone.

Not true!! We were there in 2003 when Gay Days was going on and it was fine. We just checked their schedule and went to different parks that day to avoid the large crowds. Tell your BIL not to worry.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Never had a problem with gay people or South Americans...or gay South Americans.

The only time I was ever uncomfortable was after entering the AK, but still waiting for official opening. A 20-ish couple was seriously (SERIOUSLY) making out with each other in the middle of the group...right in front of me. Kissing, hands, rubbing, whole bit.

I'm all for young love and romance. Don't mind a kiss here or there. But that was horrible.

So, I'll take a couple of guys holding hands any day of the week.

 

[clutter]

I was there last year, at MK on Saturday, no less. Yes, crowded. Yes, red. The only other thing that I noticed was that the average height of the crowd felt weird. It was much taller than I've ever seen before because ther were so many men there!

However, I've also been in July the year before, the week AFTER July 4th holiday. That was definately a less crowded time than early June. So given the choice, I actually might opt for JUly, if it was the week of the 10th, over the first weekend in June due to crowds.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I don't like watching "serious" PDA from anyone, whether it be teens, young adults (like the ones I saw playing tongue hockey at Kings Dominion in line for a ride--I was gagging), couples in their 50's (like the ones I saw outside a local restaurant freak dancing ) g/l or straight.

But some hand holding, pecks, etc doesn't bother me and actually gives me such a warm feeling no matter who it's directed towards. Sad that people get offended my loving behavior.

Personally, I would be more concerned about the crowd level. And I agree that I would be more leery about a group of screaming kids.

 

[tar heel]

We've been there three times during gay days and never saw anything offensive to us. There was a bit of outlandish fashion, such as leather and Minnie ears, lots of red shirts and rainbow stuff. If he stays away from MK on Saturday and doesn't go to Pleasure Island or any of the private parties, he won't even know it's gay day. And kids the ages of his won't notice anything even if they do go to MK.

I'm not too easily offended, but I did see a young heterosexual couple who were very offensive one year. They apparently were following the same touring plan as us, so we ran into them over and over. They were all over each other and also hadn't showered before leaving their resort. Ewww.

 

[SC Minnie]

We have been during Gay Days and didn't have any problems. We planned our park visits around their planned days and the crowds were not bad. We didn't notice a lot of gay/lesbian couples and the pda. No more than you would see on a normal day.

They should go and just plan to go to a different park that the Gay Days festivities.

 

[LukenDC]

I remember a DISer posting that he saw a bunch of men coming off the monorail yelling, "We're here, we're queer, get used to it!!" That would be annoying.

I am gay and that would annoy me too!

 

[Disneylvr]

We have been numerous times and have no problems to report. I would rather stand in line with a nice gay couple then some foul mouthed teenagers or over active cheerleaders. Tell him to check out the websites and avoid the park they have selected for that day to avoid the crowds. Other then some crowds I wouldn't be concerned at all.

Amen to that! That is why we are keeping our trip dates, crowds or not, and are looking forward to it.

 

[scraptoons]

Looks like the gay days behavior is pretty tame at WDW.

My husband worked at Six Flags over Texas (in Arlington) while in school. He said the behavior was very inappropriate on Gay Pride Day.
There were some in thong bikinis or dressed like hookers, some making out, some being loud and obnoxious. My husband was even sexually harrased! It was obvious they were trying to rub it in.

Drag is ok, but a thong bikini on a man? Too much.

Jeez, I think two guys holding hands is an obvious enough statement. There is no need to go through all that display.