I need to stay away from gay day threads

[njchris]

I don't need (or want) anyone's sexuality rubbed in my face in the effort to prove a point, just as I don't need religion shoved down my throat.

What do you consider being shoved down your throat?

I went to gay day(s) probbaly about 10 years in a row. It was just nice to be around so many people that don't judge me.

I never saw anyone shoving anyting down anyone's throat. (Ok, that came out wrong)....

Some extremes people will say a gay couple just being next to each other in their sight is shoving it down their throat.

I haven't seen anyone do anything more than what any straight couple does. Hold hands or a peck on the cheek. And maybe a guy with a princess hat on.. but that's all in fun and meant to make people smile.

 

[Ember]

You said you were very aware of that and didn't allow that person to cloud your judgement. It seems, however, that you're having a change of heart? Please don't let that one person make you change your mind... As to whether it's an "in your face" statement, I've no idea. I can tell you, however, that I have a LOT of friends, all heterosexual, that have gone to WDW during Gay Days and they strongly felt that it was just not a big deal at all.

No one person will change my mind on anything - as I believe I demonstrated by actually asking questions. I wanted to know what other people thought. Would you have rather I simply take the article at face value, it being the only information I had at hand, and assume Gay Days ia a "vile spectacle of self indulgence and indecency" and stop looking further to see if there are other opinions? Opinions like the one you give above, about it not being a big deal at all, is exactly what I was looking for, a counter balance. Yes, the flaming I got lent validity to the authors claims. But that is tempered by the number of people saying what you are saying, that it's just a day like any other with many people who happen to be gay. (Which is a point I should have clairified in my last posting. For that I do apologise.)

The whole discussion on the political side of things was more trying to explain my reasons for asking the questions in the first place. Which, after reading this thread, some people seem to have issue with and it is why I chose to share my experience. I do not believe asking questions is ever wrong, even asking "stupid" questions. Only education can put an end to ignorance.

I think if you were to change your dates, you're making a quiet political statement of your own. One that supports those who are vehemently and ignorantly trying to deny the gay community some basic civil rights. I'd like to think, because you have stated that you are in full support of our acceptance, that you might not want to be associated with those people. At least I hope so.

This is a dangerous line of argument. A similar one has been used by feminists claiming those women who choose to stay at home are choosing oppression and should therefore, for the good of women everywhere, choose to work outside the home regarless of what they themselves want. But what this is infact saying is that there is no choice. Choose this way or your choice is wrong. So really, it's just oppression in another form. You simply cannot take away choice and still claim freedom from oppression.

In response to the above challange: My choice to avoid Disney during Gay Days is about me, not you, I'm afraid. I refuse to be polarized by your claim that by not wanting to be in Disney for Gay Days I am somehow supporting "those people." Apart from that, as I have said, it has much more to do with the crowds than with the politics of the situaiton. (Which, after seeking other people's thoughts and asking questions, it is my opinion that the author of the DIS article is probably incorrect.) I refuse to put up with crowds of people from both Gay Days and from the end of school simply so you will think me supportive of human rights. I know what I believe, I know how hard I have worked in pursuit of those beliefs, and I don't feel the need to prove myself to anyone.

It shows a testament to your strength of character to have the courage to post something that might prove to be an argumentative stance against gays and lesbians on this board.

This I must admit I find difficult to accept. It was never my intention to be arguementitive or take a stance against anyone. Once again, you seem to be trying to polarize me and I find it uncomfortable. Why is it so hard to accept that someone can have questions but not be against something?

 

[Viki]

I'm coming to this discussion late, but I would like to say that from what I know of working with Rick on these boards he's the last person in the world who would try to polarize people. In fact I found his posts on this question patient and informative.

For myself I have very little interest in Gay Days, but I like the idea that lots of folk do and I have little reason to believe any of it is political. I think it's probably about being family, a very loaded experience for many of us.

In any event, have a great honeymoon.

 

[RickinNYC]

Ember, you need to reread my post or you're simply assuming that I'm bashing you when I am not in way doing so.

 

[Psychometrika]

I suppose I should state that I have never been to Gay Days and don't intend to go anytime soon. My reasons relate to crowds and heat. I would otherwise love to go and be in a friendly place where I needn't worry about being myself.

"Qui tacet consentiret" (Silence gives consent). Like Thomas More, questions are or often appear as loaded. Whether or not the original question was, consider how it may sound to an oppressed minority. The ask whether or not it truly is a "vile display, yada yada" suggests that that would be a reasonable possibility. Would you ask the same question if this were Christian day or Armed Services day? Perhaps, perhaps not.

Consider your own reaction to responses from such individuals as Rick. Was that response appropriate based on what Rick said, or was the hostility towards the initial responder transferred? I'm not passing judgment - just raising the idea that questions are never "simple".

 

[Amy&Dan]

I am on this board because I did a search of "gay days" since I think when it falls will probably be when we head to WDW in the future since thats when my kids get out of school and the crowds will only get worse as the summer wears on. I was trying to get a feel for crowds and how soon the resorts sold out and was surprised at how hotly this gets debated, although I shouldn't be. I must say after reviewing some of the threads on this issue I cannot imagine that Gay Days will be anything but a lot of nice people doing what my family will be doing: enjoying WDW. So as a conservative Christian, I'll probably be there during that time at some point in the future and I won't be worried about anything but having a good time. I understand that some people post questions about this event in regards to how it affects crowds. But you cannot expect people who are gay and experiencing discrimination at its most vile form to not feel reactive to posts regarding the avoidance gay days for whatever reason. They suspect people of the worst because they often experience it. Sad but true. And sadly, it is to the point that many people feel they can avoid certain groups of people and feel fine stating that. I had a friend for instance who avoided WDW during the Christian event (is it Night of Joy, you'd think I'd know but I don't). She said she didn't want to be at WDW when a bunch of wacko Christian zealots who were there trying to convert everyone. Its too bad that we can't all just go to WDW when its convenient and not be worrying about who else will be there. At any given day at WDW there will be people who might offend you, why assume thats any more likely at a certain time?