WDW Gay Days

[Thekidsmom]

Has anybody gone during this. I just found out that it will be during out stay. I know I will probably get blasted for this but I have little children and don't want this put in our face. Any suggestion or experience with this matter would be appreciated.

 

[KNEIPPK]

when is this?

 

[MikeWD]

It is in June -- maybe more info on all ears

 

[bytheblood]

Has anybody gone during this. I just found out that it will be during out stay. I know I will probably get blasted for this but I have little children and don't want this put in our face. Any suggestion or experience with this matter would be appreciated.

Well, I can get blasted with you. I was there this past June during this time and was very concerned. I will tell you honestly, there was nothing that I saw in 8 days that I would not have seen any other time. There were some "obvious" people I spotted, but nothing I would not see during a trip to the mall, Starbucks or a restaurant.

I don't think you should worry about it. Honestly. The things I noticed did not phase my daughter (7 at the time) at all. Feel free to PM me if you haev some specific questions.

 

[tmt martins]

We went when DD was 9 I think no real big problem.If you are concerned avoid MK on the weekend if possible and Don't wear RED.
It was no different then a group of teens some hand holding and a peck every once in awhile.
Please don't let this cause you and greif as it won't be a big deal at all.

I think it's the 1st weekend in June

 

[maddhatir]

when is this?

i found this on all ears:

UNofficial Gay Days in Orlando - May 30 - June 4 -- this is NOT a Disney sponsored event. It is an annual gathering in Orlando with designated park days. Magic Kingdom day is June 3rd. There are two websites to get information: http://www.gaydays.com/ and http://www.gayday.com/

 

[jpmom]

Been there, done that.

Yes, we were concerned as well.

Only time I ever really noticed anything was when we were in the hot tub and WL -- and even then, it was nothing blatant.

No worries here.

 

[LukenDC]

I know I will probably get blasted for this but I have little children and don't want this put in our face. .

No one is going to put anything in your face or hassle you and your family. Participants wear red shirts and the vast majority of people who have visited Disney during Gay Days report nothing extraordinary. You mught even find that your perceptions of gays change as a result of actually encountering a large number of them.

Disney is very diverse and in any large group of people if you look hard enough you can find things that offend you. I was offended by the handful of Christian evangelicals I saw wearing shirts depicting a bloody, suffering Jesus. Many people report being offended by the public displays of affection of teens. However, almost everyone who goes to Disney, regardless of the time of year, has a great time and brings back cherished memories.

Have a great time!

 

[vbarry]

Is the only "specified" day at the park the MK day the first Saturday in June or do other parks specify days earlier in the week??

 

[themudd4]

Well, lets see how many people yell at me for this:

Last June we were there at the beginning of "Gay Days". I was really not worried about it, even though I have 2 young children. I take that back...I was worried that coming from RED-NECK-VILLE USA, my younger son would LOUDLY ask a "gay" couple questions, and make them feel uncomfortable.

But to answer your question...It was nothing. You should be more worried about the crowd than anything. The wait at MK is at beyound peak...so you might want to plan on going to MGM, or AK that day...Epcot seemed pretty crowed too. Most of the gay day partisipants do realize that this is a family theme park, and that many people are uncomfortable with their lifestyle, and are very considerate. They are usually there with their families, and are wanting to just enjoy themselves too.

Yes, most of the group wore red, but so did I so don't base your entire day trying to avoid red shirts.

Like I said this did not really bother me...But the things that do bother me are the tween's & teens that run you & your kids over to beat you in line, cus and "make out" in line. Had a young punk...maybe 19, hit his girl friend in line right in front of me...of course I called him out on it. Within minutes the two had made up and were going at it hot and heavy...explain that to your kids... (dang that made me sound old, didn't it)

Anyway, just try to make the most out of you vacation and have fun. Just decide what you want to tell your children ahead of time if they do see something and ask you about it!

 

[Houston_Disney_Fan]

We've been that week, booked it because it was the first week our kids were out of school, blissfully unaware that anything unusual would be going on. We did see a few "different" sights, but the kids didn't seem to notice (Disney World being a fairly major distraction for them), and the trip turned out fine.

 

[Mama Twinkles]

Ouch. Imagine if someone were uncomfortable with your presence at WDW. Would you want to read about it here?

I am a lesbian and last I checked my tribe was not particularly given to public displays of affection, though we are fighting hard for acceptance so we can occasionally hold hands in public without fearing for our lives. Our orientations do not cause us to behave immaturely. We are doctors and teachers and mothers just like you. We don't plan to disappear or pretend to be straight despite the wishes of the uncomfortable masses, and we must explain others' judgments to our children all too often, but we don't casually impugn straight people on these boards.

Substitute "blacks" for "gays" and you might begin to understand the pain you cause us.

 

[dixipixi]

We have been at WDW 3 times during Gay Days. This year will be our 4th so it has definitely not affected us.

DH and I are very good friends with a gay couple, so our kids are used to the idea. They don't think anything of it, so they've never asked questions.

I agree with some of the previous posters. You are far more likely to see "questionable" behavior from other guests.

Really, we have never seen anything that would keep us from going at that time.

 

[tar heel]

Unless your children are adolescent age or above, you don't need to tell them a thing b/c they will notice NOTHING. We've been there during the event three times and one of my kids still has no idea he's been to Gay Day. Now, the one who was 13, on the other hand, asked questions -- we had a good discussion. Avoid MK on Saturday b/c the crowd is too big -- otherwise go and have fun.

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

Has anybody gone during this. I just found out that it will be during out stay. I know I will probably get blasted for this but I have little children and don't want this put in our face. Any suggestion or experience with this matter would be appreciated.

A lot a gay people also have small children and don't want this put in their face.

 

[ECurto]

Speaking as "one of them" id have to say its "us" who cant stand seeing you "heteros" kissing during fireworks, or holding hands while you walk down main street, or showing affection during a meal. I mean really the way nobody cares is appalling! God forbid I wanted to do that, id get every billy bob and his wife/sister making a comment while pulling their kids away. Any idea when we can go to "not have that in our face"? Oh and p.s. its DISNEY... like 70% of the company is gay ... HELLO!!!! But seriously it’s funny to me that so many parents come on these boards to “fearfully” find out what their children are going to see on gay days. This upsets me b/c if I wanted to show ANY sort of affection to my partner at Disney I get stares, people pointing, laughing, whispering etc. Its heart breaking. Just once id like to hold Kirks hand during fireworks… oh and I mean not during the 1 weekend a year when people are nationally made aware ill be there. Speaking from a psychologists (my profession) standpoint, guarding or not exposing your children to things is what will do the real damage. Most children want to be like their parents, and learn from them. So if you explain to them (preferably without out your own prejudices) about same sex couples they will understand. Why does it have to be any more complex then “because they love each other” or “sometime boys and girls fall in love, some times two boys or two girls do”. I know we live in a time where church and state are not separated (as much as they should be) and I also know that there are gay people out there who will go over board and play to the stereotype and confirm your “fears”. Understand these people are the extreme, just as there is an extreme to any group of people. Bottom line is love is love. Teach your kids about love and not about the package it comes in, and you’ll raise well adjusted loving children of your own.

P.s. Incase you were wondering there is a way to ask your question that doesnt make it come off in such a way that would cause you to get flamed. You shoud head over to the gay and lezbian board. Many people there ask the same questions, just not in such an offensive way. Youll see in life you get back what you put out. And yes implying that your children will see "things" from gay people, which will be shoved in your faces... is rude.

 

[Girlsontour]

We were at Disney last year during "Gay weekend". I didn't find it too offensive - however a few people's t-shirts left a lot to be desired..." I taught your husband everything he knows in bed" is not what you want your 9 year old daughter to see.

I am taking my daughter out of school this year, so that we can come 2 weeks early - but if i'm honest it's not to avoid the gay weekend more to avoid the constant rain that we found began on June 1st!!!

Best bit of Gay Weekend was going to the Circus at DTD - gosh did the men get really dressed up. They made my husband look a real scruff!! And they were so good looking........

 

[Thekidsmom]

Thank you to all that replied. I suppose I should have explained myself a little more than I did, for asking such a question. I used to be a hairdresser for many years and having been around gay people before I saw that were always those one or two that were completely over the top. Since that time in my life I have been military for 8 years and now I am married to a military man and it was all I could do to get him to go on the trip and now to find out we are booked for gay days, I hope you can see my predicament. Also, my children growing up on military bases, have never been around blatent activity so they will be asking questions, and as one poster said, children are not discreet. I know this does not excuse prejudice nother ever would, but thank you again for your kind replies.

 

[Texa]

I posted this another thread. I'll do an abbreviated version here. First of all I know complete how the OP feels. My husband is military, real cowboy (works cattle and such) and very conservative. We went to WDW for the first time (Not during Gayday) not realizing the a larger than average number of castmembers will be gay, whether this is due to the entertainment profession factor or the better option for family benefits I'm not sure. But that's the way it is. Gayday or not it is something you will run into. However the wonderful thing that happened was exposure to actual gay people as humans really opened up my husbands mind. He became a lot more open and willing to discuss things rather than completely biased. Up until then all he had been exposed to was media portrayals, but at WDW he was able to talk and spend time with all different types of people as humans rather than stereo types. It didn't dominate our vacation but created a lot of HMMM moments for my husband (did I say I was going to make this abbreviated). From what I hear about gayday there will be some bawdy activity, kind of like spring break, but it will be contained to after hours at downtown disney and the host hotels, which are not on property (the host hotels I mean). I think one of the Sheratons are one of them. At the parks there's just so much to see that I don't think you will be looking at other people in general much. Have a wonderful time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

, my children growing up on military bases, have never been around blatent activity so they will be asking questions,

On the other hand, maybe they won't ask questions. Maybe they'll be too busy enjoying everything at Walt Disney World to pay attention to who's holding whose hand.
And if they do, Eric's simple explanation looks extraordinarily appropriate "because they love each other” or “sometime boys and girls fall in love, some times two boys or two girls do"