How family friendly is Gay Day at WDW?

[Mister Disney]

You know what I look forward to seeing the most when I am in WDW for gay days this year??
(Besides myself in red & lime green!)

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Mickey mouse!!!

hehe
Mike

Mike -

NO NO NO...we've been over this... LIME GREEN and RED do NOT match.....

(putting on my flame suit at the moment) we don't want Dame Doris and the Fashionista after us.....

In all seriousness though.....

I'm hoping to see same sex couples holding hands, etc...just being normal couples. I think it will be good for my boys to be exposed to it. I was a little concerned about them overhearing rude, ignorant comments, but I asked someone who goes to Gay Days and he said he's not had any comments directed toward him and hasn't overheard any.

I am the person "Mom to Will and Finn" spoke to. As a gay man who is in a committed loving relationship (and is a Diney freak like the rest of you all here on DIS), I've never seen or had comments of a negative nature directed at me or others while at Disney. That does not preclude the normal SOBs that you might run into anywhere.

As another poster said....MOST, but not all people (I hate making generalizations) going to "gay day" at the parks are very well behaved. Honestly, we're there to experience the "Disney Magic" just like everyone else.

The only thing you'll have to worry about is crowd levels. Go have a good time and enjoy the magic like everyone else!

 

[mmorizio]

Wow! what is this, R.A.D.P.?

 

[Mister Disney]

Wow! what is this, R.A.D.P.?

OK, I guess I am not up on internet lingo....

What is R.A.D.P.?

 

[OLDMOUSE55]

The one thing I will tell you is not to wear red in the parks and around the hotels while there. I am not gay and have family members who are so I have no problem with gays. I wore a red tank top one day while there a few years ago and got hit on more times than I ever have by the opposite sex. My wife and daughters got a big kick out of it because they warned me to take red shirt off. I will say avoid the parks that they desiginant because it will be very crowded. They even had to close parks because of over crowding on these days. I will be down here again this year so you see it is no biggie to me. Hope everyone has a wonderful time.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

After reading this thread and contemplating on it, I have decided to chime in. I can understand how a conservative family (or overprotected or however you wish to put it ) wants to keep their child from seeing things that are, i guess "out of the norm" (for lack of a better term) and would want their child to grow up so that they can understand things better.

I was sort of raised that way, my family is Catholic and we're from Peru, homosexuality has not been accepted there until recently, and its still frowned upon. But the way I see it, is if a child who is young and exposed to everything "out of the norm" then they will be able to grow tolerance and acceptance and not feel akward or uncomfortable when put in a situation with something that was kept from them for so long.

Children are very impressionable, and if they grow up being completely blocked and guarded from things that are "different" then they will start thinking "hey, if my parents did not expose me to this then there must be something wrong with it" and to me thats ignorant, we all have red blood, a heart, brain, etc. Essentially, we are all the same. So why make someone feel left out for their preferences in how they choose to live?

Anywho, whats a better way to introduce a child to something they are going to learn about anyway than at Disney World? Would you rather have your child learn about it on television? or maybe from another kid in school who has no idea what he's talking about but is repeating things he learned from who knows where?

The way I see it, we're all one big happy family and we need to love, learn, grow, and accept everyone, anyone, and everything.

So you can avoid going to Disney on Gay Days so that you're children aren't exposed to this lifestyle, but they eventually will and unfortunately it might not be in the same circumstances as nice clean family fun at the WORLD!



(Disclaimer: If none of this makes sense, then Im sorry I just woke up! )

p.s. I think families will be a bit more comfortable having their kids watch two men or women holding hands than watching me stumbling around the world showcase with a margartia in one hand and my minnie in the other singing "WISSSHES!!!!" completely off key at 12:30 in the afternoon.

 

[idofabric]

Been down the last 2 years while Gay Days were on. The now 13 yo girl next door and family allways go at this time- it is her B'day, and she loves Gay Day- says that she gets more Happy Bithdays then ever...
We have never had a problem, and one year did not even know it was Gay Days for the first part of the week. PI did get very busy towards the weekend with all the people there. Maybe a little more so then normal.
I would much rather be there during Gay Days then when there is a bunch of the Brazialian Touring Teens... but only because I have never had a problem during Gay Days, and have allways had a problem with behavior with the Teen Terrior Groups.
Not just Brazialian, but mostly- any large under charperoned groupe of teens away from home can sometimes not act in the same way and manner that I hope most would when they are near there parents/teachers/preachers, or cops... But I have never had my children knocked down at WDW except by Brazilain teens, or had the line jumped so many times. Sorry, won't go if I know they will be there. Would even refuse a free trip... OK, no, but would think twice....

 

[TrickyFish]

Let me also add that I agree that I have seen a lot of teenagers that scare me even worse than the gay day crowd does. They are freaky, scary, and open about it with their piercings and tattoos. Scary to think what these kids have turned into.

Wow, I feel so safe knowing that there's someone like you teaching children that teenagers/people with piercings and tattoos are freaky, scary, and probably crime committing heathens, too, eh? Them and those gays oughta be locked up!!

 

[JLTraveling]

I agree with ahhhhhhhhh! completely on this. Expose your kids to a variety of lifestyles from a young age, and they will grow up to be tolerant, understanding, and accepting. Keep them limited and refuse to let them see anything outside of your narrow understanding of what's "appropriate" and they will always be awkward and uncomfortable around those who differ from themselves.

Like ahhhhhhh! said, your kids are going to be exposed to homosexuality either way. Why? Because it's another segment of the normal range of the human condition. Let your kids see that you are comfortable with it, let them be exposed to it in an entirely friendly and safe environment, and it will be no big deal, which is as it should be.

I wouldn't trade my gay friends for anything in the world, and I plan to show up at Gay Days this year to show my support. There is nothing that goes on at Gay Days that is inappropriate in the least. Go, have fun, and enjoy yourself.

 

[ladysoleil]

Originally Posted by bubba73
Let me also add that I agree that I have seen a lot of teenagers that scare me even worse than the gay day crowd does. They are freaky, scary, and open about it with their piercings and tattoos. Scary to think what these kids have turned into.


Yep, they're scary- hide your kids. I mean, my poor parents must be so heartbroken that their openly freaky child turned out to be an educated, gainfully employed, law abiding, married woman. I mean, surely, I must have been destined to turn out bad because I was "openly strange" as a teenager.

And I must still be horribly wicked and depraved as an adult with my funny colored hair and black clothing. Especially while I'm doing charity work...it might just be a trick to decieve you into thinking that I'm a Christian and believe in doing good works. My husband (who also works with children) is also probably a eeevil predator, especially since he's scary looking and wears a lot of black too. Best to keep your kids away from bad people like us and our teenage minions. You'll have a better day in the parks.

I'm sorry. That was probably a bit sarcastic, but really...most of the funny looking teenagers I grew up with all turned out to be pretty decent adults after all was said and done.

 

[Ronda93]

Mister Disney:

OK, I guess I am not up on internet lingo....

What is R.A.D.P.?

It's rec.arts.disney.parks. The internet usegroup dedicated to Disney Parks. Freewheeling, unmoderated Disney yelling. Used to be just RAD, but the parks were broken out several years ago.

I'm not sure what the original reference to RADP meant. This thread is pretty tame.

I haven't looked at RADP in ages. It's like drinking from a firehose. No categories just one big ball of threads. If you venture over there let me know if Paul T is still around.

 

[JLTraveling]

Originally Posted by bubba73
Let me also add that I agree that I have seen a lot of teenagers that scare me even worse than the gay day crowd does. They are freaky, scary, and open about it with their piercings and tattoos. Scary to think what these kids have turned into.


Yep, they're scary- hide your kids. I mean, my poor parents must be so heartbroken that their openly freaky child turned out to be an educated, gainfully employed, law abiding, married woman. I mean, surely, I must have been destined to turn out bad because I was "openly strange" as a teenager.

And I must still be horribly wicked and depraved as an adult with my funny colored hair and black clothing. Especially while I'm doing charity work...it might just be a trick to decieve you into thinking that I'm a Christian and believe in doing good works. My husband (who also works with children) is also probably a eeevil predator, especially since he's scary looking and wears a lot of black too. Best to keep your kids away from bad people like us and our teenage minions. You'll have a better day in the parks.

I'm sorry. That was probably a bit sarcastic, but really...most of the funny looking teenagers I grew up with all turned out to be pretty decent adults after all was said and done.

Haha....I can completely relate...I'm somewhere between artsy and goth (with an eyebrow ring, shocking I know), and my hair has been almost every unnatural color you can think of. And shock of shocks, I'm also a pagan. And I'm also college educated, law abiding, financially responsible, and socially conscious. And boy have I heard it all of my life from certain close minded members of my family. Anyway, loved your post!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Yep, they're scary- hide your kids. I mean, my poor parents must be so heartbroken that their openly freaky child turned out to be an educated, gainfully employed, law abiding, married woman. I mean, surely, I must have been destined to turn out bad because I was "openly strange" as a teenager.

And I must still be horribly wicked and depraved as an adult with my funny colored hair and black clothing. Especially while I'm doing charity work...it might just be a trick to decieve you into thinking that I'm a Christian and believe in doing good works. My husband (who also works with children) is also probably a eeevil predator, especially since he's scary looking and wears a lot of black too. Best to keep your kids away from bad people like us and our teenage minions. You'll have a better day in the parks.

I'm sorry. That was probably a bit sarcastic, but really...most of the funny looking teenagers I grew up with all turned out to be pretty decent adults after all was said and done.

Actually, that's not fair. All New Yorkers know that if you aren't wearing black and have at least 2 piercings, there is no way you're getting into any really great clubs on the weekend. In the East Village, you're the norm, baby!

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Actually, that's not fair. All New Yorkers know that if you aren't wearing black and have at least 2 piercings, there is no way you're getting into any really great clubs on the weekend. In the East Village, you're the norm, baby!

awesome!

 

[Mister Disney]

Mister Disney:



It's rec.arts.disney.parks. The internet usegroup dedicated to Disney Parks. Freewheeling, unmoderated Disney yelling. Used to be just RAD, but the parks were broken out several years ago.

I'm not sure what the original reference to RADP meant. This thread is pretty tame.

I haven't looked at RADP in ages. It's like drinking from a firehose. No categories just one big ball of threads. If you venture over there let me know if Paul T is still around.

Thank you, but......

I think I'll pass on that.

LORD knows I spend TOO much time on DIS already! Let alone to add another one.

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

ok maybe i am lost here but why would taking your kids on "gay days" be any different than taking your kids on the other 364 "straight days" during the year. does disney allow people to wander around nekkie and copulate on park benches during "gay days". Last time i checked WDW was a family theme park and that means all families, not just the perfect ozzie and harriet judeo christian white picket fence family. Disney is for everyone

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

My family and I are headed to WDW the week of Memorial which as luck would have it is the same time as the Gay Day festivities. Just because we have avoided their schedule, should we stilll to have to do a lot of explaining to our kids?

Thanks!!

Honestly, the amount of explaining depends on what your kids have already been exposed to. Yes, there are drag queens, and on our last visit, quite a few of them. Yes, there are same sex couples holding hands and kissing. Yes, the parks are extremely busy on these days. Actually, you'll probably have more problems explaining to the kids why the wait is so long to get on some of their favorite rides!
If you kids have been sheltered or raised to reject this kind of lifestyle, that it is wrong or "evil" from some "spiritually" guided view point, or otherwise, then yes...you will probably have some explaining to do. No one can tell you how to raise your kids, but I do hope that you keep and open mind and maybe everyone could learn a thing or two about how in the end, we are all really no different from each other. We all want to find love and happiness and be accepted for who we are.

 

[DisFlan]

One of the reasons I love going to WDW is that I get to see and meet ALL kinds of people. I don't pre-judge them before I even get there. That would be a nasty thing called "prejudice". And we all know what a waste of time, energy and spirit that is.

DisFlan

 

[50bear]

"Gay Days"
As my family are all commited christians i feel these events are things we will do all in our power to avoide. We belive that homosexuality is a sin and we see this is a sign of the times that we live in that "Gays" are normalised in our society. I would say that this is the Bibles teaching and we both feel that wherever possible we will avoide these events.
This has put a downer on our holiday.
AAAA,S

 

[CheshireVal]

"Gay Days"
As my family are all commited christians i feel these events are things we will do all in our power to avoide. We belive that homosexuality is a sin and we see this is a sign of the times that we live in that "Gays" are normalised in our society. I would say that this is the Bibles teaching and we both feel that wherever possible we will avoide these events.
This has put a downer on our holiday.
AAAA,S

How very Christian of you.

It's been a while since I read the Bible, but I thought Jesus associated with sinners? Do you think He would have avoided Gay Days?

(I personally don't think being homosexual is a sin, but for those who do... I don't see how you can reconcile your judgmental attitudes with the teachings of the Bible.)

 

[JLTraveling]

"Gay Days"
As my family are all commited christians i feel these events are things we will do all in our power to avoide. We belive that homosexuality is a sin and we see this is a sign of the times that we live in that "Gays" are normalised in our society. I would say that this is the Bibles teaching and we both feel that wherever possible we will avoide these events.
This has put a downer on our holiday.
AAAA,S

It truly saddens me to see such intolerant and closed minded posts. So much hatred and judgement spewing forth in the name of Christianity. Did not Jesus himself say "Judge not, lest ye be judged?" But I guess that teaching does not apply to the holier than thou self-professed Bible experts.

If you choose not to go to Gay Days, fine, don't go...but don't use your choice as a reason for gay bashing, and then try to justify your gay bashing by throwing religion into the mix. Look around, there are plenty of "commited christians" who also happen to be gay.

It is intolerance, judgement, and proselytizing that put a downer on my holidays. Can't we all just get along?