My side of the Gay Day Story 2008

[ConcKahuna]

I couldn't care less if someone is gay or not, I wouldn't think to ask or care if I knew. That having been said I don't understand one thing: This whole thread seems to be about leave us alone to live our lives and don't judge so here is the thing I don't understsand why is there a time called Gay Days and everyone wears Red. Isn't that doing the very thing you're asking not to be done? Calling attention to gays as a group rather than just individuals. I could be wrong but thats just the way that I took it.

It's not about leaving us alone as much as it is realizing that we aren't any different than any other group of people. Unfortunatly it's hard for gay people/couples/families to feel comfortable in public, and that's why Gayday is such a large draw for so many. It's hard to find a gay event on such a scale that's not a party or meant as a protest of some kind.

 

[edamethyst]

OK, that makes sense and answers my question. I can definetly understand feeling more comfortable in a group of people with the same likes, dislikes etc... as you. Thanks for answering my question.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Not being subjected to harrassment should not be seen as a substitute for coming together and rejoicing in who we are.

Rather like Grad night or the Christian based Night of Joy. Groups of like minded individuals coming together to rejoice in their commonality.

That is what Gay Days does for the community of gay folk, and also what other sorts of Pride gatherings do, too.

Leave us alone speaks more to "don't force your unfounded fears and bigotry down our throats" and "don't muck up our lives with your pathologies" than it speaks to "we want to be invisible." Invisible is not a euphamism for "main stream acceptance." It is a negation, and that is what concerns us.

Bear in mind please, that when I say "us/we" that although I am speaking in the plural, I am just one lesbian voice in the greater gay community.

 

[Ourtoystory]

I am one half of a hetro couple raising two little boys.

I'm sorry that the intial poster had such a horrid experiance. I'm really sorry that there are such hateful hetro mother's still in exsistence. I know one thing for sure...that Mother will stunt her children from being the open minded, innovative and self thinkers our world now demands succesful people to be.

Disneyworld and land were created so that families and friends can gather together to enjoy each other.

I hope Gay days 2009 are, in the spirit of the theme of celebration, bigger and better than ever.


PS: Really if people want to avoid gay and lesbians in large numbers Disney is one of the last places they should go at any time of year. I am fairly certain that a huge # of those good looking, talented, theatrical and enthusiatic cast members that EVERONE loves so much...are probably gay or lesbian.

 

[ConcKahuna]

PS: Really if people want to avoid gay and lesbians in large numbers Disney is one of the last places they should go at any time of year. I am fairly certain that a huge # of those good looking, talented, theatrical and enthusiatic cast members that EVERONE loves so much...are probably gay or lesbian.

From what I've heard it's more than half (varies depending on department)

 

[goofy4tink]

Not being subjected to harrassment should not be seen as a substitute for coming together and rejoicing in who we are.

Rather like Grad night or the Christian based Night of Joy. Groups of like minded individuals coming together to rejoice in their commonality.

That is what Gay Days does for the community of gay folk, and also what other sorts of Pride gatherings do, too.

Leave us alone speaks more to "don't force your unfounded fears and bigotry down our throats" and "don't muck up our lives with your pathologies" than it speaks to "we want to be invisible." Invisible is not a euphamism for "main stream acceptance." It is a negation, and that is what concerns us.

Bear in mind please, that when I say "us/we" that although I am speaking in the plural, I am just one lesbian voice in the greater gay community.

Gotta tell ya....after my Night of Joy experience on Sept 6...I'll take Gay Days anytime!!!! Man, you couldn't pay me enough money to go back in there again...and I'm a 'church lady' according to my kids!! Those kids in there are out of control!!!!!

 

[Schmoodle]

Sorry for your obnoxious experience. To quote my husband's favorite motto, "we are surrounded by idiots." In the interest of full disclosure, I am not gay, nor is anyone in my family or any of my friends (to my knowledge), although I have a couple of internet buddies that are. But we practice and teach tolerance in my house. That doesn't even sound quite right because another person's sexual orientation isn't really something I have to "tolerate", in my opinion it's just who they are and has nothing to do with me.

I do wish Disney would advertise Gay Days. Particularly if that would mean that a lot of obnoxious people would stay away, and maybe a lot of the crowds! I would definitely plan to go that week if that was the case. How are the crowds for Gay Days anyway?

 

[ConcKahuna]

Sorry for your obnoxious experience. To quote my husband's favorite motto, "we are surrounded by idiots." In the interest of full disclosure, I am not gay, nor is anyone in my family or any of my friends (to my knowledge), although I have a couple of internet buddies that are. But we practice and teach tolerance in my house. That doesn't even sound quite right because another person's sexual orientation isn't really something I have to "tolerate", in my opinion it's just who they are and has nothing to do with me.

I do wish Disney would advertise Gay Days. Particularly if that would mean that a lot of obnoxious people would stay away, and maybe a lot of the crowds! I would definitely plan to go that week if that was the case. How are the crowds for Gay Days anyway?

The crowds at Gayday can vary. In my experience it can be a bit busy from about 11am until a bit after the parade, and after that it slows down. There are a lot of late-night parties that go on that week, so many of the guys (and gals!) sleep late and leave early to get ready for that night.

 

[Schmoodle]

Sounds great, I'm in! That means I can get there early, and leave for a while mid-day, then stay late. Thanks ConcKahuna, see you there (I wish)! If I don't make it, hope you have a great time.

 

[DawnM]

We are just heading home from a vacation up in Niagara Falls and Montreal, both on the Canada side. It was refreshing to see gay couples opening holding hands and walking down the street. Nothing inappropriate was going on at all.

I think I object to making out in public, but that is an overall statement to hetero or homosexual conduct.

Dawn

 

[MsLeFever]

I get this every year. Halloween we go big. I give out really good stuff (because I remember what is was like when I was a kid) and we go full blown on the decorating. We even have people who call their friends and tell them they just have to come look.

Oh my kids would LOVE this....we're out by the Pittsburgh airport - how close to us are you?????

 

[PghLybrt]

Oh my kids would LOVE this....we're out by the Pittsburgh airport - how close to us are you?????

it takes us a good hour to get to the airport when we go to Disney! We are north of cranberry.

 

[Zspa<3ariel]

I actually avoid gay days in WDW for 2 reasons...

A) From what I have seen/heard its more of a "rave"/party-time 24-7, rather than a gathering for unity among gays and lesbians

B) It's WDW, for the past 3 times I have been (July 07, Dec 07 & Oct 08) isnt everyday there a gay day lol? I could understand if it was a place where there wasnt a large population of gay people, but c'mon...Disney world. Im just trying to understand why a place that has so many gay employees/vistors needs its own week, but it seems to be popular anyhow.

 

[ConcKahuna]

I actually avoid gay days in WDW for 2 reasons...

A) From what I have seen/heard its more of a "rave"/party-time 24-7, rather than a gathering for unity among gays and lesbians

B) It's WDW, for the past 3 times I have been (July 07, Dec 07 & Oct 08) isnt everyday there a gay day lol? I could understand if it was a place where there wasnt a large population of gay people, but c'mon...Disney world. Im just trying to understand why a place that has so many gay employees/vistors needs its own week, but it seems to be popular anyhow.

A) Not at all. Yes, there are lots of parties you can go to, but the parks are...well Disney.

B) On top of the local gays (3-5% of the population), more come in from around the world. A large number of the people who come to visit do so because there just aren't all that many gays where they are from, and they come to "touch base" with the community.

 

[OrlandoMike]

A) From what I have seen/heard its more of a "rave"/party-time 24-7, rather than a gathering for unity among gays and lesbians.

How do you rave on a Saturday morning at the Magic Kingdom?

Honestly, there are more families there with kids these days than any other group! It's a great day for "unity"!

 

[ConcKahuna]

How do you rave on a Saturday morning at the Magic Kingdom?

Honestly, there are more families there with kids these days than any other group! It's a great day for "unity"!

Yup, unless you just stay on Hotel Plaza Blvd, you won't even know about most of the parties.

 

[CheapMom]

ConkKahuna- did you take that video of the seagull? It is hilarious- is that at WDW?

Back on topic-when is gay days? I may be going in June next year but unsure of my dates.

 

[ConcKahuna]

ConkKahuna- did you take that video of the seagull? It is hilarious- is that at WDW?

Back on topic-when is gay days? I may be going in June next year but unsure of my dates.

LOL No, the gif got e-mailed around at work last year and I loved it, so I snagged it

GayDay at the Magic Kingdom is always the first Saturday in June. The other parties and various events happen the week before and that weekend.

 

[rpmdfw]

I actually avoid gay days in WDW for 2 reasons...

A) From what I have seen/heard its more of a "rave"/party-time 24-7, rather than a gathering for unity among gays and lesbians

After telling all of us that we had no right to condemn Twilight until we'd read the books, and not just believe what the media told us about them: isn't that exactly what you're doing in terms of Gay Days? You're judging it and avoiding it purely based on what you've heard.

Until you've been, you can't judge it. For some the parties are more important. I've been the last six consecutive years and have never set foot in any of the parties. For us it's about the parks.

And there is no greater feeling of unity that I've ever experienced than that at Magic Kingdom on the first Saturday in June looking out onto the sea of red shirts. It's empowering.

 

[Chuck S]

After telling all of us that we had no right to condemn Twilight until we'd read the books, and not just believe what the media told us about them: isn't that exactly what you're doing in terms of Gay Days? You're judging it and avoiding it purely based on what you've heard.

Until you've been, you can't judge it. For some the parties are more important. I've been the last six consecutive years and have never set foot in any of the parties. For us it's about the parks.

And there is no greater feeling of unity that I've ever experienced than that at Magic Kingdom on the first Saturday in June looking out onto the sea of red shirts. It's empowering.

Although I was unable to go in 2008, this has been my experience as well. I have never been to a private ticket or offsite event, just enpoyed the parks, with straight and gay family and friends.