Trip Planning During Gay Days.

[rigs32]

I haven't read every post, so I apologize if I'm being repetitive.

I think that some say there are lots of PDAs is because the sight of a gay couple with any PDA, to some, is shocking. If you're from an all-white community, and you go to a theme park with a lot of Hispanics or African-Americans, that which is different is going to catch your eye. Especially if someone feels uncomfortable about two men or two women being affectionate. I'm not condoning these mindsets, just explaining why I think there's such a difference in perception.

 

[Bracho]

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.

How many gay people have you watched in the act of being gay??

People are just people, I know 2 guys that you would never know they were gay... for some reason, it's all based on the act itself not on the person. Why would it matter to anyone who or what they are.. humans just love putting titles on things...that way we know where to put our hate, our dislikes, our judgements and our fears.

I will agree that men of goodwill often disgree on this subject, adding the moral part is in question though, your morals may not be the same as others and alot of time when one uses the moral stance on controversial issues, people who disgree, do so strongly.

Oh well.. to each his own

 

[Puffy2]

Good grief, gay or straight, if you don't want to be in a large crowd or you don't want to see a bunch of gay people (most you wouldn't even notice, a few mixed into the thousands might be dressed a little odd/different/outlandish/ whatever - then avoid the parks on those days.

If you don't give a rat's behind, then go and have fun.

The end. Can this thread be closed now?

 

[DisneyDotty]

This will be flamed, even though it means no harm whatsoever, but I personally am very surprised Disney promotes Gay Day. I mean, there's nothing wrong in the least with it and it doesn't bother me, but Disney is a family place.

I don't mean to flame here, but Gays have families and are part of families, too. And while Disney doesn't promote this event, I'm delighted they host it.

 

[Hieatt]

I should probably leave well enough alone, but I think we are making progress.

Like Bracho, I not only know gay people, but there are several that I would call friends (and, yes, they would call me a friend as well). People are who they are, and our differences make for an interesting world. And, someone's sexuality is only a small part of who they are.

Point in fact, this thread really has little to do with morality, or the rightness or wrongness, of homosexual activity. The thread is about what to expect at WDW during Gay Days. Some posters (such as myself) thought it prudent to respond not only as to the crowd levels, but also on the liklihood of seeing offensive dress or behavior. Obviously, what is offensive to some is not offensive to all, nor does going to WDW at any other time guarantee you will not see something offensive. However, given the nature of the event and experiences with what has been seen in the past, the simple point is that the ODDS ARE HIGHER DURING GAY DAYS OF ENCOUNTERING BEHAVIOR OR DRESS THAT MAY BE OFFENSIVE TO A PERSON OF TYPICAL SENSIBILITIES. NOTE: This is not to suggest that all Gay people are promiscuous, evil, bad, whatever.

The fact that many people would find offensive, or at least feel uncomfortable at, for instance, seeing a guy wearing tight black leather shorts exposing his butt cheeks (and just to avoid the inevitable reply, I am not suggesting that all gay people wear tight black leather shorts, nor that it is not possible that a straight person would) does NOT mean they are intolerant, bigoted or hate gay people, and I don't believe it is fair to imply such things about people if they do feel that way about it. The purpose of the thread was to provide information for people to make their own decisions, not for posters to make judgments about those decisions.

 

[shatzjsl]

The fact that many people would find offensive, or at least feel uncomfortable at, for instance, seeing a guy wearing tight black leather shorts exposing his butt cheeks

So what you are saying is, uh,

(and just to avoid the inevitable reply, I am not suggesting that all gay people wear tight black leather shorts, nor that it is not possible that a straight person would)

oh, never mind....

(just trying to lighten the mood )

 

[Sorcerer Figment]

Ok, I apologize for adding to the off topic discussion. That said, I just want to throw in my 2 ¢. And I think it's great that though we disagree, we are able to have a (mostly) civil discussion.

Disney is a family place. Disney doesn't promote Jewish Day, or Muslim Day. Bad analogies I know, but the idea of creating seperate days for people based on their sexual preference just doesn't seem right to me.

Thanks for being respectful. I will try to reciprocate that. As previously stated, Disney takes no official position. Allow me to give the simplest lesson possible, for your benefit and everyone else's. Sexual orientation does not = sex! That is to say, being attracted to someone and falling in love is hardly taboo. Disney has forever preached the values of love. Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty & The Beast... all love stories and kissing is involved. (So if kissing offends you, then I suppose Disney isn't for you.) Gay people are not inheirantly more sexual, and no more apt to be "going at it" in the parks.

Unfortunately, with any large event there are some people who get carried away. And I certainly agree that Disney is no place for that kind of behavior from anyone. But when one is told to hide who they are everyday, and fears a simple thing like holding hands or a quick kiss... There is a need for a special day, where that feeling can be removed. When I was growing up, I asked my mom, "Why is there and Mothers' Day and a "Fathers' Day, " but no Kids' Day? Their response? "Every day is Kids' Day." Straight people are not afraid of what will happen if they kiss of hold hands. So, when gay people are no longer treated differently, perhaps the need for a special day will no longer exsist. And I look forward to that day.

And contrary to popular belief, gays are not anti-family. Last time I checked, most gays are fighting to be accepted by their familes. They are fighting for the ability to create a legally recognized family. "We are family!"

I find it hilarious how if someone who doesn't agree with the gay lifestyle and doesn't wanna go during gay day is attacked. Kinda like the pot calling the kettle black. You must agree with my point of view but I will attack you for yours.

I won't be there for gay days - I don't agree with it and anybody else shouldn't be made to feel bad about not wanting to see it.

I don't blame you for wanting to avoid the events. I'm going to be there during Gay Days, but will be completely avoiding the events. (Because I want shorter lines.) But to those people who feel anything to do with gay people is to be avoided at all costs: I completely respect everyone's decison to avoid something you think is wrong. And heck, I'll even help you.

1. Ellen's Energy Adventure / The Living Seas - Because "yep, Ellen (Dory) is gay"
2. Circle of Life / Festival of the Lion King - Nathan Lane aka "Timon" is 'one of them.'
3. Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show / "Herbie: Fully Loaded" - The Herbie director, Angela Robinson, her too!

But then, these are hardly noteworthy. And I'm just wasting your time. Let me cut to the chase... the Walt Disney World Company.
"PRIDE is a Walt Disney World Diversity Resource Group serving gay, lesbian, and ally Cast Members, by providing resources, learning opportunities, and a supportive network." Link to source

Now, I don't mean to demean anyone's right to hold an opinion. I think it's great that you have thought about the matter and come to your own conclusion. But for those who want to avoid anything to do with gay people, best of luck to you. You're gonna need it.

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.

Hmm, that is exactly the model of Christ I was taught. Why don't more people realize that?

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.

Simply beautiful.


Thanks again for a mature, intelligent conversation.

"Bye now. You are fabulous creatures, each and every one. And I bless you: More Life. The Great Work Begins."

 

[notnothin]

wow...biting my tongue so badly right now i think it might be bleeding!

Agreed!

 

[floridagirrl2]

Like many controversial issues, the moral propriety of homosexual activity is a subject on which intelligent people of goodwill often disagree.

No, not really! Intelligent people of goodwill DON'T speculate on or discuss other people's sexual activity. That's just plain tacky.

The tackiest thing of all, though, is the suggestion of wearing red and lime green together. Pul-eeze, ya'll, I'm getting nauseated just picturing that color combination!

 

[ricktib]

Back to the original question, I see nothing wrong with someone wishing to plan their vacation around something they don't want to be around or expose their children to. That being said, whether I or anyone thinks they're right or wrong for that is beside the point: Disney vacations don't come around nearly often enough for most of us, so let each of us plan what will make for our best Disney experience.

 

[Sorcerer Figment]

Back to the original question, I see nothing wrong with someone wishing to plan their vacation around something they don't want to be around or expose their children to.

I agree.

That being said, whether I or anyone thinks they're right or wrong for that is beside the point:

I personally feel sorta bad for adding to the off topic rant , but as others were being heard, I felt I should say my ideas too.

Disney vacations don't come around nearly often enough for most of us, so let each of us plan what will make for our best Disney experience.

I certainly hope you have a great vacation, and wish you the best of luck planning it. And hey, 'Planning your way there is half the fun', right? ...or something like that.

 

[Lizzybee]

A coworker of mine is a bit past retirement age but keeps working because she told the grandkids the Disney trips stops when she retires so they say DON'T RETIRE GRANDMA. Well, she didn't know a thing about gay days and they happened to go during that time and she just happened to wear red. Of course nobody "hit on" her and she said they didn't see anything other than obviously gay couples, but once her grandkids realized the "official color" was red, they were kind of embarrassed that grandma was wearing red.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

I was planning to head down for a week as soon as the kids were our of school (May 27th). I noticed our trip will overlap with "Gay Days".

How does this event impact crowd levels, touring plans, etc. What should I know about or take into consideration (pros/cons) when visiting duing this event.

Check out the gayday.com and the gaydays.com site and then coordinate your days around that. Assuming you are not standing in line on the MK day with the "leathermen who love Pirates" event you should be ok... hhahahahaha

 

[zalansky]

We were at MK on the "official" Gay Day last year with another couple and two 1 1/2 year olds. The crowd was huge, we thought. It was hard to move around with strollers. We were entertained beyond belief and all had a great day.
Now when the kids get older, we may have to avoid the park that day, until they are old enough to understand why grown men are wearing mini skirts with platforms, what drag queens are, and what it means when one boyfriend has a t-shirt that reads "PITCHER" and the other boyfriends says "CATCHER".

 

[notnothin]

We were at MK on the "official" Gay Day last year with another couple and two 1 1/2 year olds. The crowd was huge, we thought. It was hard to move around with strollers. We were entertained beyond belief and all had a great day.
Now when the kids get older, we may have to avoid the park that day, until they are old enough to understand why grown men are wearing mini skirts with platforms, what drag queens are, and what it means when one boyfriend has a t-shirt that reads "PITCHER" and the other boyfriends says "CATCHER".

Wow .... just wow ..... *grabs popcorn*

 

[Pinnochio]

Now when the kids get older, we may have to avoid the park that day, until they are old enough to understand.... what it means when one boyfriend has a t-shirt that reads "PITCHER" and the other boyfriends says "CATCHER".

Ahhh! that was uncalled for

yet mildly entertaining

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

It makes me so sad that people can know and love the same WDW I do and still live in the dark ages. Biggotry is everywhere, even on Disney boards.

May God bless your children, and I will be praying that they end the cycle of ignorance and don't take in your footsteps - for who knows, someday they might attend GayDays themselves, as proud members, and I would hope they didn't run into people as obsessed with other peoples love lives as some of those in this thread.

N.E.D.

 

[kilee]

I think this has ran it's course and gotten far enough off topic.