How gay friendly is Universal/IOA?

[nj2ftl]

I hear a lot about Disney being very gay friendly and how most of the cast members are gay, but I was wondering if it's the same at all for Universal? Are the characters & staff gay friendly? I'll be going with a friend next month and we wanted a picture with Captain America but not sure of the reaction we'd get from him.

 

[macraven]

you all will be fine.



the darkside TM's enjoys all peeps.
gay is not an issue.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Definitely gay friendly. They have a program for employees called StudiOut- they made an "It Gets Better" video you can watch here!

Have fun!

 

[Metro West]

you all will be fine.



the darkside TM's enjoys all peeps.
gay is not an issue.

 

[nj2ftl]

Thanks all! What is 'darkside TM'?

 

[Metro West]

Thanks all! What is 'darkside TM'?

Darkside is Macraven speak for Universal...Motherland is Disney and TM is a Team Member...similar to CM at WDW.

 

[RAPstar]

I've never had a problem at Universal. Even with the Cap himself:

Or other guests (tho to be fair, I don't think he got the joke, English definitely wasn't his first language):

 

[macraven]

and i took that picture.............

the one with the fingerpointing teeshirt ....

 

[BuddyThomas]

Glad to hear this, although I must say that a few years ago at Gay Days, we went to Universal the Sunday they were doing the now defunct Stars Party at the studios that night. A lot of gay people in the park that day. After having had complete respect and no problems of any kind at Disney, we were really taken by surprise by how many f#gg#t bombs were hurled or muttered under breath by many not so friendly guests there. No personal confrontations here but we witnessed several heated confrontations throughout the day. This was a few years ago and hopefully more people have "evolved", especially with marriage equality in many states, although sadly not Florida.

 

[nj2ftl]

I think the crowd at Universal is more teens than at WDW which is why I was hesitant to think Universal was more gay friendly than WDW.

 

[Planogirl]

I think the crowd at Universal is more teens than at WDW which is why I was hesitant to think Universal was more gay friendly than WDW.

I think that you might find less friendliness from families in some cases too. After all what might the kids see? Silly attitudes.

Hopefully most of that nonsense is a thing of the past.

 

[rowan555]

My daughter and I were there last week and there were many gay couples and families at the park. We didn't witness anyone being rude or seeming to care when two men held hands, etc. I was very pleased to see that. One day I wore a Pride shirt, and I got so many high fives from the ride attendants (and sometimes got better spots on the coasters, lol).

 

[BuddyThomas]

My daughter and I were there last week and there were many gay couples and families at the park. We didn't witness anyone being rude or seeming to care when two men held hands, etc. I was very pleased to see that. One day I wore a Pride shirt, and I got so many high fives from the ride attendants (and sometimes got better spots on the coasters, lol).

Very happy to hear this. Thank you for posting it!

 

[Kogo Shuko]

I think the crowd at Universal is more teens than at WDW which is why I was hesitant to think Universal was more gay friendly than WDW.

I always find younger people to be more gay friendly than older people.
Growing up, as a teen, I found nothing wrong with gay people while I knew my father was a homophobe and my mother was against gay marriage.

I find this to be a common theme where I'm from. The teenagers don't see any issue with it. But I am Canadian, so that might be the reason why?

I've never seen any problems at any of the parks when I see gay couples. But I do go in off-season, so I'm not witness to the big crowds.

 

[Senator Tressel]

No, you're right, younger people don't really have an issue with gay people by and large. I think the issue mentioned above was a very isolated incident and far from typical. If there are any problems, you can be sure that the TMs will have your back.

 

[Tinachichi]

Once again I do not intend to start a fire storm but I find it strange that gays feel the need to announce that they are gay. I do not feel the need to walk around and announce that I am hetro. Why can't they just go and enjoy the parks without advertising their preferences? This simply calls attention to something that is a private, personal way of life. I would never consider wearing a t shirt that proclaims me to be a hetro nor would I denigrate someone who choses or has a different way of life. Seems to me that some invite the comments by wearing clothing that calls attention to themselves and even look for confrontation.

 

[dawnhaze]

Once again I do not intend to start a fire storm but I find it strange that gays feel the need to announce that they are gay. I do not feel the need to walk around and announce that I am hetro. Why can't they just go and enjoy the parks without advertising their preferences? This simply calls attention to something that is a private, personal way of life. I would never consider wearing a t shirt that proclaims me to be a hetro nor would I denigrate someone who choses or has a different way of life. Seems to me that some invite the comments by wearing clothing that calls attention to themselves and even look for confrontation.

If you have to add a disclaimer to your post, it means you know you're about to say something horrible and yet lack the filter to stop typing. Seems to me you invited this comment.

Do you consider your relationship with your spouse or significant other to be a private and personal way of life? You probably hold hands and even hug or kiss in public. Are you advertising something?

Pride shirts, and Pride in general, are about changing a society in which everyone is assumed to be a certain default and anything else is seen as something lesser that should be hidden away.

 

[BuddyThomas]

Once again I do not intend to start a fire storm but I find it strange that gays feel the need to announce that they are gay. I do not feel the need to walk around and announce that I am hetro. Why can't they just go and enjoy the parks without advertising their preferences? This simply calls attention to something that is a private, personal way of life. I would never consider wearing a t shirt that proclaims me to be a hetro nor would I denigrate someone who choses or has a different way of life. Seems to me that some invite the comments by wearing clothing that calls attention to themselves and even look for confrontation.

Really???????? Really???? I am married. In NYC. And yes to a man. It is LEGAL, and is recognized finally by both NY and the Federal Government. Why can't I hold my husband's hand just as you can hold your husband or wife's hand?

Please join the rest of us in the 21st Century.

 

[RAPstar]

Once again I do not intend to start a fire storm but I find it strange that gays feel the need to announce that they are gay. I do not feel the need to walk around and announce that I am hetro. Why can't they just go and enjoy the parks without advertising their preferences? This simply calls attention to something that is a private, personal way of life. I would never consider wearing a t shirt that proclaims me to be a hetro nor would I denigrate someone who choses or has a different way of life. Seems to me that some invite the comments by wearing clothing that calls attention to themselves and even look for confrontation.

As with what the other people said, holding hands isn't "announcing my preferences" it's doing the same thing any other couple would do as they visited the parks.

As for the Pride clothes, we have fought long and hard just to get to the level of acceptance we have now. Which is still isn't all that great. There was a time we could be arrested just for looking at someone else a certain way, or even a meaningless gesture as putting my hand on someone's shoulder. So to finally be at a place in the world where we can freely wear a Pride shirt or anything similar without fear of being arrested or beat up (though gay beatings still happen, a lot), can you blame us for doing so?

 

[Metro West]

Before this gets out of hand....

Thread closed.