Question about gay days schedule...

[lntsmom]

I've lurked on their boardand can't find much info. I feel the need in these politically correct times to preface my questions with this: I am not homophobic. I am PDAphobic. I don't care what your orientation is, I don't want to watch you grope your significant other, and I sure as heck don't want my children to be subjected to watching it.

I was warned by a friend who has an AP that they had a big problem the year they went the first week of June. She said she and her husband ended up taking their kids out of the MK because of some inappropriate behavior they were being exposed to. Her suggestion was that I find out the schedule...official or unofficial...about which parks the gaydays folks will attend on which day.

We will be in the parks thru June 3rd. I've seen a reference to "Saturday in the Magic Kingdom". Is this Saturday June 7th? Are there official plans for certain parks for the rest of the week? Is it an all-week long thing or is it just the weekend?

To be honest, I had no idea that this was something I'd have to deal with until after all the checks were written. Any info that you can share would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Beth

 

[npmommie]

Honestly there are gay straight and bi people in all the parks every day.........there are PDA's of all orientations all the time........teenagers come to my mind.
If you see anything... I would bet a million bucks your kids won't even notice or care. they will be too busy looking for characters and enjoying the parks. Really I don't think you have a thing to worry about.
and if your kids do notice anything and say anything just say something along the lines of those two kissed because they love each other, and move on.
Just enjoy your time in the parks with your kids, have fun!

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

Beth---

Normally, gay days are the first week in June. As for their schedule, I have no clue. I would recommend reading the gay and lesbian forum, if possible.

We were there once for gay days and luckily, at the time, we didn't have children. Now, I know just never to book a trip the first week in June.

 

[drumsRdaBEST]

yep

 

[K and K's Mommy]

We were there two years ago during Gay Days. You know what, it was not a big deal at all. I saw nothing inappropriate. I did find their schedule. It was on here somewhere and probably will be closer to June. Their scheduled AK day was our AK day. My DH and I noticed, but my kids noticed nothing. My DH and son rode primevil whirl with two gay men, and my son got quite a kick out of them because they were laughing so much during the whirling parts. My kids don't know any gay people so I did know ahead of time what I was going to tell them. They never asked a thing though because we saw no PDA. I know someone who knows someone who changed their week because of Gay Days. Sorry, IMO that is sheltering your kids way too much! Now, I will say I would not take them to Pleasure Island at night during that week.

 

[pha1226]

It's my understanding from friends who have attended is that the "official" day is the first Saturday in June at the MK. I don't believe there are organized visits to the other parks but would anticipate Gaydays visitors would be visiting other parks.

I'm sure the attendees won't miss you if you decide to cancel your trip.

 

[mommiebyrd]

I believe the last day is on June 8th this year. We changed the dates of our family reunion at Disney because of this. We just didn't want to deal with the issue with kids of different ages coming-let alone get any heated family debates started!

 

[MiniGirl]

You can go to gaydays.com for a complete schedule of activities as well as host hotel information, etc.

HTH,

 

[2Kds2K9]

We were there in June of 2005 and weren't really botherd by it. My kids were 9 and 11 at the time. The only thing that raised an eyebrow or two were some of the "off color" t-shirts that some were wearing. My DH and I got a chuckle out of them, but could easily see how others would be offended. We were also happy that the kids were too busy with everything else to notice. But then again, I've seen "regular" people wearing T-Shirts that were much more offensive.

We did find out in advance that the attendees were asked to wear red. Needless to say, we left all red shirts at home!

My DD did notice a group of about 6 men dressed as "fairies". They wore tu-tus and crowns and were skipping with their magic wands. My DH just looked at her and said "It must be dress up day". She just smiled and continued on.

Other than more crowds, I'd say it's just another day at Disney. No more PDA's than any other time.

Enjoy!

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I've seen gay couples going at it, I've seen lesbian couples going at it, and I've seen straight couples going at it. I don't see what the difference is. I'm sorry, but I find your post to be very offensive and just plain ignorant. You say you don't care about orientation, but obviously you do, or else you wouldn't be so worried about "gay days." People need to open their eyes to the fact that all people are made differently, black, white, fat, thin, gay, straight... you need to be respectful of that. Post this thread on the gay boards and see what the reaction you get is. If I get flagged or points or whatever for this post, than so be it, but peoples ignorance just really bothers me.

 

[Wit]

You should cancel your trip. To be on the safe side. Don't go the next week either, because I plan on kissing my partner of 6 years in moments of happiness in all the parks.

"Making Out" in public is idiotic no matter orientation, period.

That being said, in this age of enlightenment, you may have to explain to your child why two men or women may have a kiss, hold hands, and be a couple in public. Any embarrassment or angriness will be entirely on your part. Children have this amazing ability to accept, it's usually parental influence to changes that.

So by all mean, cancel your trip. It's probably for the best. Bring them to Disney World to learn about the magic of love and different cultures, dreams and family during a time when you won't have to worry about PDA's. Wait....there is chance of that any time....but Gay PDA's are much worse.


Edit - I also have to add that I am utterly offended. I would have been less offended if you said you were a homophobe. I can understand an accept my lifestyle is not acceptable to many cultures, religions, etc. And that is fine with me. But the tone of the original post is just....offensive and contradictive.

 

[PrincessBoo]

I second Wit and SharpMomofTwo...Kudos to the both of you.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

Beth---

Normally, gay days are the first week in June. As for their schedule, I have no clue. I would recommend reading the gay and lesbian forum, if possible.

We were there once for gay days and luckily, at the time, we didn't have children. Now, I know just never to book a trip the first week in June.

I was just wondering if you realize how backwards, offensive and plain raciest that is? "...and luckily, at the time, we didn't have children." What were the gays going to do, CONVERT THEM!??!? I'm just horrified by some peoples thinking.

 

[Camno's Mama]

About ten years ago, we went to Disneyland in March. We were in the line for Space Mountain, and there was a couple in front of us being very touchy feely. The one person had a hole in his jeans, and wasn't wearing any underwear. His partner was repeatedly reaching in the hole and stroking his behind. We were pretty grossed out. It was inappropriate to say the least, and they were heterosexual.

If it's PDA you're truly concerned about, then you will find that anytime, anywhere. You obviously have some hang-ups about being around gay and lesbian people, and that's your problem. I am also quite surprised by the tone of some of the other posters. Not wearing red because that's the designated color of the day for the gay people? Really?

I, too, am surprised by some people's ignorance. Everyone is entitled to their point of view, but I'm not sure it belongs here. This is the family board and we're here to discuss Disney related topics. Did you think that because we have families, we would understand your prejudice?

Good luck planning your vacation. I almost hope you do go at that time of year because maybe you'll learn that your children care a lot less than you do.

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

Children have this amazing ability to accept, it's usually parental influence to changes that.

Totally agree with you there- my kids just accept some of our friends have same sex partners and to be honest I never thought much of their willingness to just accept it until my eldest began middle school and our eyes were opened to just how xenophobic many of her peers were raised, allowed to be.

In the event you come across a situation and one of your kids does ask then a truthful answer is always the best- people hold hands/kiss because they're in love, some people love the opposite sex, others love the same sex.

 

[Janet Hill]

I was just wondering if you realize how backwards, offensive and plain raciest that is? "....

Um .... I'm not sure how this can be racist. Unless of course it's only black same sex couples that present a problem.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

In defense of the OP, it can be very difficult to explain things to kids sometimes. My DS is 4 and knows that he's adopted but still has a very difficult time grasping the concept that he grew inside someone else and then was placed with us. I think about every time I give an explanation ends with him saying, "Why?" no matter how many different reasons or explanations I give him. I don't think the OP should be criticized for wanting to avoid this if this is her concern. I know if I explained, I'd be badgered with the, "WHY?"

I have a BF who is gay and an ex-boyfriend who almost 2 1/2 years ago after marrying his wife for 3 (together for a total of 10 yrs) decided it was time to say that he was interested in men (obviously his wife and he are now divorced). I am very good friends with him and his partner.

I know people who have attended Gay Days at Disneyland and were offended by some of the t-shirts that were worn as well as sexual comments being made. It was not easy for these people to explain it to their kids when they asked.

There are lots of people who wear inappropriate things and say inappropriate things in front of kids unconsciously even at WDW & Disneyland. But in defense I also have to say that no matter what you feel, believe, etc., you are in a family oriented environment and have to act accordingly. Ask me how many times I've gotten ticked off at punks at WDW who walk around with their pants hanging off their you know whats cursing up a storm. There's a time and a place for things and I don't think that any kind of orientation should be flaunted. I don't flaunt that I'm heterosexual and my gay friends don't flaunt their sexuality either (except at gay bars or if they've had one too many drinks and then it gets really funny! )

 

[FoundMyPrince]

http://www.gaydays.com/calendar/

If you look at the Gay Days calendar, it looks like the specific dates for the parks begins June 5.

We will be at WDW the last week of May until June 4.

 

[DevilDuckie]

So you're not homophobic, you just think gay people are less capable of controlling themselves in public?


*** is with the bigotry lately? This is the second "I'm not a bigot" bigot post in like a week! Way more disgusting than any display of affection between two people.

 

[wardfamily1]

PDA ? what's that? Could someone translate please.