Trip Planning During Gay Days.

[soupy11]

Edit

Actually, never mind,,,not on topic....

 

[KimWDW]

We've been during "Gay Days" before and honestly nothing is different. The only reason I knew it was Gay Day was because I noticed a lot of people wearing t-shirts the same color and while waiting in line, I asked what group they were and they told me. I didn't see anything inappropriate going on. Everyone is friendly and nice.

The only inappropriate behavior I've seen at the MK was from heterosexual teenagers playing tonsil tennis while waiting in line, and nasty white trash women who lift up their shirts on Splash Mountain so the camera takes a picture of their ****s for everyone to see.

 

[maleficent1959]

I am not baptist, therefore my post in not in their defense.

Your statement above is incorrect, however.

I consider Christ's words ultimately authoritative, not those of Paul (or even Peter who did elevate Paul's to Scripture). But I don't want to stray too far off topic.

We've been there a few times over Gay Days and we didn't think the crowds were noticeable larger. And we never saw any kind of "objectionable" PDA that other posters have mentioned. Well, there was that one lady who was letting her young son pee on the castle wall but I don't think that was a function of anyone's sexuality but class -- or lack thereof.

 

[savs]

I tried to just let this slide by, but I can't!

I'm the one that made the warning about wearing the red shirt out of kindness, not out of being mean to anyone that does plan to wear one.

When we were there a few years ago my young son happened to have on a red shirt and because a few people thought it was funny to say a few remarks to us about him wearing a red shirt. He wanted to take it off and have us buy him a new one. Their comments were mean and he just didn't understand why they were asying the things they were saying.

I was not making the comment to make fun of the group of people that want to wear the red shirts. I was saying it so no other poor child would have to go thru the same thing as my son.

I know it was an isolated incident, but it is a part he still remembers today.

Now with all that said...I have no problems with gays or lesbians and I hope none of my comments we taking that way.

Thanks, I just had to settle that little comment...no hard feelings!

 

[csuzannet]

My family vacation inadvertantly coincided with Gay Days in 1999.

I offer two pieces of advice--arm yourself with information about the schedule of events and take a long, hard look at the people in your group.

The schedule of events is important because it will help prevent disappointments (like finding out that the Studios were closing early to the general public as you exit the bus for the park and, therefore, needing to choose between one more ride on TOT or watching Fantasmic).

Had I known it would be Gay Days while we were there, I would have been able to prepare myself better for the, um, "provincial" reactions of some of my group's members. While I agree no one can ruin my trip/day/life but me, I would have been better prepared to deal with poor attitudes had I been forewarned.

 

[pixiedust23]

MykeLogan- you should get one of those new gold mickey ear hats. That could be the "star" on the top of your slightly off xmas tree outfit!

 

[buckylarue]

Yeah, us gay DISers will be pretty easy to spot...lime green pants, red shirts, gold Mickey ears...that'll be a lot harder to explain to your kids than any PDAs!

 

[java]

We were at Magic Kingdom on Gay Day one year and it was fine. I think there were people that avoided the parks so it was actually a better place to be. We met some great"non traditional" families. The only PDA I saw were similar to PDA I have seen by heterosexuals at the park. And my children were not scarred for life.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Yeah, us gay DISers will be pretty easy to spot...lime green pants, red shirts, gold Mickey ears...that'll be a lot harder to explain to your kids than any PDAs!

"Mommy, what are those two men doing???"

"Well dear, sometimes two men or two women love each other and it's ok..."

"No, no, no! Mommy, what are they WEARING???"

"Oh no! Sheild your eyes son!"

then when they get home...

"Dear Disney,

I was appalled at some of the hideous fashion I saw at WDW last week. My children were exposed to some of the most gawdy color combinations I have ever seen and I don't even know how to explain it to them. I really hope you will send me free tickets to come back because my trip last week was destroyed by constantly having to sheild little Johnny's eyes from ugly outfits. I hope you are ashamed
signed,
A person who knows how to dress!"

 

[donaldsgal]

Actually, a few years back at Gay Days, I saw an obviously heterosexual male—who accidentally wore a dreaded RED shirt—burst into flames. Such a tragedy.

I’m sorry, but in the Bible, Jesus says. . .um. . .well, nothing about gays (or lesbians, or bi-sexuals, or trans-sexuals for that matter).

What we DO know is that the Southern Baptist Convention clearly stipulated that Disney is a big no-no and good Baptists should not be partaking (June 12, 1996).

If Southern Baptists (and all others who so vehemently despise LGBTs and want to “protect” their children and—apparently everybody else—from the dreaded Gay “condition”) would just follow this very clear and explicit directive to boycott, WDW really could be the “Happiest Place on Earth”!

And just a word of warning to those questioning to go or not to go. . .Gays go to ALL the parks EVERY day of the year!

Next thing you know they will be moving to a neighborhood near you, improving economic conditions, increasing property values, and making the streets and communities safer! God help us all!

The SBC does ask that its members boycott Disney. That being said, I am a conservative member of SBC and support my denomination, but I consciously still go to Disney because it is such a wonderful place full of (mostly) wonderful people (dads who usher their sons away or moms who let sons pee on "OUR" castle being the exception perhaps), so it hurt my feelings that you'd rather I not partake of the magic of Disney.

I agree with what someone else has said - the worse kind of PDA is hatred, hostility, and the other bad thing they said - sorry, I forgot.

In any event, any group of people is entitled to visit the park at any time - that's why it's not a country club that you have to be a member of (although I'd probably pay the fee because I love the World so much ).

Just wanted to point out that not all Christians are bad - if we don't agree with something, we don't all throw up white crosses and burn them in your proverbial front yards. We are capable of kindness and compassion and, speaking for myself, try to exemply these things as often as possible, whether or not I agree with sexual preference, how you treat the hard-working CMs, etc.

Just my two cents...

 

[scrump]

I would love to go during Gay Days, I think it would be a lot of fun, and if I had kids, I'd have no problem taking my family there during this time.

RE: The PDA thing, I dislike it intensely as well, but Brother-in-law and his wife are the two worst offenders that I have ever seen, and my stomach drops every time they lurch for each other in the car, in resteraunts, in public places, in their home, in our home, etc. After them, I can even stomach a whole park of PDA-centric gays and straights.

 

[shatzjsl]

"Mommy, what are those two men doing???"

"Well dear, sometimes two men or two women love each other and it's ok..."

"No, no, no! Mommy, what are they WEARING???"

"Oh no! Sheild your eyes son!"

then when they get home...

"Dear Disney,

I was appalled at some of the hideous fashion I saw at WDW last week. My children were exposed to some of the most gawdy color combinations I have ever seen and I don't even know how to explain it to them. I really hope you will send me free tickets to come back because my trip last week was destroyed by constantly having to sheild little Johnny's eyes from ugly outfits. I hope you are ashamed
signed,
A person who knows how to dress!"

Good one, Esmeralda!

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

I swear, If I do see that color combination, I -PERSONALLY- will take a photo, and submit it to the TLC show, "WHAT NOT TO WEAR!" because that will deffinately be something that just isn't right, in ANYONE"s fashion book. *grin

When my friend at DRC gets the call about "When do those people show up?" she will go thru different groups. "Who, the cheerleaders? They're here in Febuary..." when they tell her " no, -THOSE- people" she'll query with " do you mean the Lotusnote People? Well that's April" finally they'll say.. "You know, the GAY people." and she'll pause, and smile. "Well sir, Gay people are at Disney, every day of the week." I think it;s a great way to get people to realise that they're descriminating, by making them face it.

 

[HeatherPage]

I think the most "horrible" thing we saw the one time we were there during GD's (my mom and I back in 2000) was a 70ish year old man wearing a Minnie Mouse dress and ears (which we took a picture of by the way) not sure if that ever got developed either but now that I'm thinking about it, I need to gather up all the undeveloped disposable cameras in the house and take them up to Wal-Mart.

Of course back then I was clueless as to what GD's was, all these people were walking around wearing their red shirts and I was like, "there sure are a lot of people wearing red today."

Edited to Add: Okay what are the Lotusnotes people?

 

[Hieatt]

I am disappointed with all the preaching in this thread to people considering avoiding the parks during Gay Days.

As a starting point, should a person morally object to homosexual activity, that person is not as a result hateful, intolerant, or simple-minded. Such an objection may very well be rooted in a well-reasoned and deeply held conviction.

I think the closest analogy I can give is that many people morally object to pre-marital sex. Obviously, on any given day thousands of unmarried, sexually active people visit WDW, just as on any given day thousands of gay people visit. No problem. However, if each year certain "Sexual Promiscuity Days" were set aside, my guess is that the crowd might look a bit different, and those who object to pre-marital sex might understandably choose to avoid those days.

Similarly, there is no question that Gay Days attracts the more militant, outlandish and extreme members of the Gay community, many of whom enjoy flaunting their lifestyle and shocking those around them. Given that WDW is designed to be a wholesome, family, fairy-tale (in the traditional sense of that word) experience, it is not surprising that many families would choose to avoid these crowds lest that experience be compromised. To imply that they are hateful, close-minded bigots or religious zealots is in and of itself extremely offensive.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Where to begin...I should really know to stay away from these threads because inevitably there always winds up being a post like this...

I am disappointed with all the preaching in this thread to people considering avoiding the parks during Gay Days.

As a starting point, should a person morally object to homosexual activity, that person is not as a result hateful, intolerant, or simple-minded. Such an objection may very well be rooted in a well-reasoned and deeply held conviction.

Bigotry is never rooted in reason.

I think the closest analogy I can give is that many people morally object to pre-marital sex. Obviously, on any given day thousands of unmarried, sexually active people visit WDW, just as on any given day thousands of gay people visit. No problem. However, if each year certain "Sexual Promiscuity Days" were set aside, my guess is that the crowd might look a bit different, and those who object to pre-marital sex might understandably choose to avoid those days.

I don't even understand your analogy. I know a lot of gay people who would get married if they were allowed to... Why do you care who people are sleeping with and if they are married or not? How do you know that all of the gay couples you meet are having promiscuious sex? Most of the gay people I know don't have promiscious sex. How do you know they are sexually active at all? Maybe they are a fairly new couple who are just starting out and haven't gotten to that point in their relationship yet? I don't really see anyone celebrating being promiscious. I see people who have something in common getting together with others and having a nice vacation. I don't see gay days as anything different than any other group that goes to a park together (ie. the cheer teams, african american youth groups, religious organizations etc.)

Similarly, there is no question that Gay Days attracts the more militant, outlandish and extreme members of the Gay community, many of whom enjoy flaunting their lifestyle and shocking those around them.

Are you serious?





OMG! Have you ever actually BEEN to Gay Days???

Given that WDW is designed to be a wholesome, family, fairy-tale (in the traditional sense of that word) experience, it is not surprising that many families would choose to avoid these crowds lest that experience be compromised. To imply that they are hateful, close-minded bigots or religious zealots is in and of itself extremely offensive.

I know a lot of gay people who enjoy taking their families to WDW for the same reasons your family goes there. The only difference is, they are not concerned with all those wretched straight people making out on the rides, or whether or not they shouldn't wear a specific color lest their children be grabbed by straight people. They're really just concerned about having a nice time. Actually most of the people, gay or straight, I know who go to WDW are only concerned with having a good time. Only a select few are that worried about their kids possibly being exposed to two women holding hands...

Personally, I've seen far more disgusting PDAs by straight couples at WDW. Nasty, nasty stuff that should really be left in the bedroom. Even had a few ride photos ruined by straight couples groping one another. I think the worst gay PDA I have ever seen is maybe a peck on the lips. Hardly anything to cringe at. I'm sure it happens, as every group has it's idiots, but it's no more common than straight people rowdy.

Do you really think gay people do not want wholesome, fairy tale places for their kids too? Do you really think gay people take away from the wholesome fairy- taleness of WDW? If so, then quite honestly, you might just be more bigoted than you claim to be.

Maybe not hateful. Hate is a very strong word. Maybe not a religious zealot. Most of the religious people I know are very nice and open minded.

But bigoted? It really sounds like it.

 

[Bracho]

"Mommy, what are those two men doing???"

"Well dear, sometimes two men or two women love each other and it's ok..."

"No, no, no! Mommy, what are they WEARING???"

"Oh no! Sheild your eyes son!"

then when they get home...

"Dear Disney,

I was appalled at some of the hideous fashion I saw at WDW last week. My children were exposed to some of the most gawdy color combinations I have ever seen and I don't even know how to explain it to them. I really hope you will send me free tickets to come back because my trip last week was destroyed by constantly having to sheild little Johnny's eyes from ugly outfits. I hope you are ashamed
signed,
A person who knows how to dress!"

 

[donaldsgal]

True to form of a DIS boards discussion, this thread has gotten waaaaay off topic (admittedly I've contributed). The original poster jsut wanted to know if crowds would be affected and things of that nature to keep in mind. If you want to get into it with another poster, do it via PMs.

Thanks!
Jenny

 

[Hieatt]

I know I shouldn't, but...

I don't even understand your analogy.

That is clear... indeed, it appears you don't even understand what an analogy is. In no way did I imply that all gay couples are promiscuous or even sexually active. The point of the analogy is that when you have set of designated days to celebrate something like this, you will naturally attract the more extreme elements, elements indeed that in this case many gay people might find offensive.

OMG! Have you ever actually BEEN to Gay Days???

Yes, I have. Last year.

I know a lot of gay people who enjoy taking their families to WDW for the same reasons your family goes there. The only difference is, they are not concerned with all those wretched straight people making out on the rides, or whether or not they shouldn't wear a specific color lest their children be grabbed by straight people. They're really just concerned about having a nice time. Actually most of the people, gay or straight, I know who go to WDW are only concerned with having a good time. Only a select few are that worried about their kids possibly being exposed to two women holding hands...

Personally, I've seen far more disgusting PDAs by straight couples at WDW. Nasty, nasty stuff that should really be left in the bedroom. Even had a few ride photos ruined by straight couples groping one another. I think the worst gay PDA I have ever seen is maybe a peck on the lips. Hardly anything to cringe at. I'm sure it happens, as every group has it's idiots, but it's no more common than straight people rowdy.

Do you really think gay people do not want wholesome, fairy tale places for their kids too? Do you really think gay people take away from the wholesome fairy- taleness of WDW? If so, then quite honestly, you might just be more bigoted than you claim to be.

All of this completely misses the point that went flying over your head in your rush to the keyboard to call me a bigot... in fact, I would even argue one better that a higher percentage of the gay community is civilized and discreet than the straight community, and I hope that gay people will go with their families to WDW for the same reasons I do... and if they do, I would still encourage them to avoid Gay Days! You will see things at the Magic Kingdom on that Saturday that you are extremely unlikely to see there at any other time of the year... that is the point. I for one was made uncomfortable by it, and I will choose not to visit the designated parks on Gay Days again. That's all.

Maybe not hateful. Hate is a very strong word. Maybe not a religious zealot. Most of the religious people I know are very nice and open minded.

But bigoted? It really sounds like it.

Actually, I am confident that nearly anyone who knows me would describe me as a very nice and open minded person... I think you rushed to judgment without even taking the time to consider or understand my position and point.

 

[Hieatt]

Bigotry is never rooted in reason.

By the way, while this is a nice canned response, and indeed there is an element of truth in it, again you are off base. Finding certain activity morally objectionable is not the same as stereotyping or judging a person. Like many controversial issues, the moral propriety of homosexual activity is a subject on which intelligent people of goodwill often disagree.