Question re: Gay Couple holding hands in the parks

[scdak]

Here's my take on things. Disney World is for everyone - mothers, fathers, kids, grandparents, young, old, male, female, straight, gay and everything in-between.

Why shouldn't you be able to hold hands with your love if the mood strikes you?

I've seen many gay couples in WDW and never observed any instances of them being hassled in any way.

To be honest, I'd much rather see two people in love and holding hands (regardless of sexual preference) than see two people arguing with each other or yelling at their kids or being rude to other guests for whatever reason.

You can never go wrong with love, so visit WDW and enjoy it to the max.

WELL SAID! Esp the part about aruguing, yelling at kids and being rude!!!!

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

This thread made me so happy! One hundred thirty-seven posts offering such a positive message.

Have a great trip, OP.

This! I expected to see someone saying something upsetting, and not a one!! I love it, makes me so happy!

OP, the way I see it, people judge other people for things all the time...someone may not like someone's choice of clothing, hair, etc...we are all judged all the time and we don't even realize it...so I say hold hands and have a great time, and if anyone doesn't like it, then feel pity for them, because anyone who has a problem a happy couple having fun at Disney just because their gay is obviously not someone with an opinion worth caring about

 

[SashaFarce]

We have never had problems with any other guests in the parks. I am not big on PDA, but that's because I grew up in a small, rural, prejudiced area and despite having been out since I was 14 or so, it's still scary for me. We see at least two or three other same sex couples on every trip, and I'm sure there are plenty more.

 

[Ravenne]

Considering there's Gay Days every year at WDW, I don't think you'll have a problem. I think it's a good thing to remember that you're in a public, family oriented place, and to represent yourself in a respectful manner is always appreciated by all. That goes for everyone. Enjoy your vacation. Don't worry about what others think or may say.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

No one cares...well...the vast majority don't care...at all.

I'm *straight* as an arrow(and a political conservative) and I would gladly exchange gay couples ANYDAY(in fact if the park was nothing but gay couples as we've found them generally delightful, incredibly smart and hilarious) for the groups of obnoxious teens that come from all points of the globe from schools/sports leagues, etc..

The gays I have witnessed are highly respectful Disney fans that help add to the magic. Like so many have said before...graphic displays of PDA are inappropriate and I've yet to see that from same-sex couples in the many times we have visited.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I do NOT think it is a problem.

I am uncomfortable with way over the top PDAs from both hetero or homosexual couples, equally. Holding hands would not qualify for over the top public displays of affection!

Have fun at Disney everyone!!

(uncomfortable to me are couples fighting, parents snarking at their kids, or yelling in a crazy way, hitting the kids, etc)

 

[supergoofy]

Personally I have no issues with it at all.

If you are happy and in love and at the World what else could you want.


Congrats and have an awesome trip.

 

[Jetta8300]

Hi there, Everyone ~

So, Im a little embarassed to have to ask this question (and in a way, it's kind of sad that in this day-and-age I still have to) but...

Can a gay couple hold hands in the parks without causing a problem?

Im deliberately keeping this question off the Gay/Lesbian board, and we're arriving a week before the "Gay Weekend" (I didn't even know there WAS a gay weekend at disney... we booked our trip before we even knew about it...!)

My partner and I are your normal, aussie, guy next door types... you wouldnt know it to look at us... and engaged to be married and madly in love. We want to be comfortable around the parks, but not if people are going to be raising their eyebrows or shielding their children away from us in horror...

Have you seen this kind of thing in Disney World before? Has it been a problem? Have people taken issue? Do people even care these days in the U.S?

We know everywhere is different... America is at a different stage regarding equality to where Australia is at - The last thing we'd want to cause is trouble... but it would be wonderful if we could hand hands as any other couple would while enjoying our holiday.

I'd love to hear what you think...

just wanted to say congratulations on your engagement and have a great time!!!

 

[MandiC]

I don't think you should have any problem at all, I doubt most will even notice. (Looking back I couldn't tell you if I saw ANY couples holding hands) I agree with the majority, respectful PDA is fine. Disney is a happy place and people in love might want to hold hands or give each other a peck on the lips. Personally, I'd have a problem with a couple making out but that goes for any couple no matter what their genders are.

 

[RainbowWit]

You will be fine!! Hold hands. Happy smooches. Dance. Hug and sway during the fireworks. I have NEVER had a problem through ally years at Disney as a lesbian. If someone did do or say seething I must have been having too much
Fun to notice.

That's being said. No one should be playing tonsil hockey in public. That's just icky. ;

 

[Bullseye]

Lovvvve exciting and new, come on board, we're expecting you....I didn't really have anything, so I just went with the love boat theme
Anyway, we are always there during gay days and couples are holding hands all the time. No big deal, everyone's just enjoying themselves equally

 

[wdwislife]

They were prepared for stares and questions, but what they go instead was smiles and tons of "Pixie Dust"... which led them to conclude that Disney must be staffed by hordes of young gay people. Because in the author's mind, there could be no other explanation for why they were being treated like family!

As a former CM, this isn't very far from the truth haha.

With so much going on at any given moment in a Disney Park I'm sure most people wouldn't even notice hand holding of any kind. If anyone gives a dirty look or says something insensitive just know that there are far more people in the park who couldn't care less and just want everyone to feel comfortable expressing love in all its forms.

 

[AJ1983]

If I see you there, I'll smile and wave with my free hand (the other hand will be holding my husband's).

 

[lizzyb]

You should be held to the same standards as any couple. Be tasteful and respectful. If you want to hold hands with your partner, hold hands.

I agree! Have a wonderful vacation.

 

[AmyB2006]

Who cares what others think.
I'm a biker who goes to the park several times a year.
People stare and clutch their purses tight, etc, when I walk near them.
Do I care, no way. I'm too involved in the "Magic" of Disney to pay much attention.

Does my wife care? No way....she's too busy in the gift shops..

This literally made LOL. So funny, and too true. Who cares?

 

[tink20]

We were at MK on gay days a few years ago. DS was 10. He asked why everyone was wearing red shirts.

We watch Modern Family, I referenced the couple on there (Cam and Mitchell) and said this was a special day at the parks for families like them. DS said "oh, okay, cool" I think he was more concerned why we didn't have on red shirts, like we had missed out on something....haha!

I think sometimes people over worry about how their kids may react.....adults could learn from kids sometimes, they are more accepting.

OP, hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[WishesOnMyMind]

[/QUOTE]With so much going on at any given moment in a Disney Park I'm sure most people wouldn't even notice hand holding of any kind. If anyone gives a dirty look or says something insensitive just know that there are far more people in the park who couldn't care less and just want everyone to feel comfortable expressing love in all its forms.[/QUOTE]

Maybe not all its forms!

Seriously, I have gone several different times, and the most offensive thing I have seen is the plane in the sky that "warns" people about gay days.

 

[Huff]

Question isn't whether you should or shouldn't. Do what makes you happy!

So the question is what to expect from others if thats something that matters to you. I find that people will often make snide comments amongst themselves when they see two men holding hands but two women they ignore. Thats because women often hold hands or walk arm in arm even if not gay to its much more socially accepted.

At Disney for the most part people don't care unless you're making out but then that goes for gays and non gays alike.

I have been to Universal Studios Hollywood on gay days and I must say thats quite different than Disney. The organizers setup check in tables outside the gates. Seems the tradition is for guys to cross dress and women to dress as if they just came from work at a brothel. Vastly different than gay days at Disney.

 

[MichiganDVC]

I'd have to say that I always notice when gay couples are holding hands of Disney. But that's just because I like to see family being comfortable in such a magical place.

And also, I don't think anybody else mentioned this, and maybe I just noticed it more, but I always see tons of gay couples, especially men, at WDW. Maybe I'm just more aware, because they're not always holding hands, but literally tons of gay couples.

And I'm fairly confident that a good number of their employees are also gay men.

OP, I think you'll find Walt Disney World to be one of the most gay friendly places you'll visit outside of gay enclaves in major cities. Have a great time!

 

[d-r]

Hi there, Everyone ~

So, Im a little embarassed to have to ask this question (and in a way, it's kind of sad that in this day-and-age I still have to) but...

Can a gay couple hold hands in the parks without causing a problem?

Im deliberately keeping this question off the Gay/Lesbian board, and we're arriving a week before the "Gay Weekend" (I didn't even know there WAS a gay weekend at disney... we booked our trip before we even knew about it...!)

My partner and I are your normal, aussie, guy next door types... you wouldnt know it to look at us... and engaged to be married and madly in love. We want to be comfortable around the parks, but not if people are going to be raising their eyebrows or shielding their children away from us in horror...

Have you seen this kind of thing in Disney World before? Has it been a problem? Have people taken issue? Do people even care these days in the U.S?

We know everywhere is different... America is at a different stage regarding equality to where Australia is at - The last thing we'd want to cause is trouble... but it would be wonderful if we could hand hands as any other couple would while enjoying our holiday.

I'd love to hear what you think...

Yes of course you can.

One of the sweetest things I've ever seen in my life was a couple at Disney World. One man was weak and obviously terminally ill, the other man healthy and strong. They were riding the carousel on separate horses holding hands, a friend standing by the sick man sort of helping to make sure he stayed on.