Whose been during gay days at DL?

[drouke]

We went to Star Wars Weekends June 2-4 which also was Gay Days 2007 at WDW??? I have to say that the sea of red shirts was quite alarming, not that I'm offended by gay people but we were totally caught off guard. We were expecting crowds to be huge for Star Wars and the red shirts put it over the top.

For the most part everyone was friendly, lots of "couples" with their kids, but mostly travelling packs of 10 - 12 men.

My only problem, or concern if you will, with the gay days part of our trip was having to explain the occasional public display of affection to my 6 year old son. I know as a parent we all have to cross that bridge at some point, I just never thought my bridge would come on one of our annual trips to WDW, which we visit 1-2 times per year.

I know this thread is geared toward the gay days coming up at DL but I noticed that no one had tackled the potential PDA questions from the little ones and if this is or may be a problem for you, you may want to steer clear of those days.

As a side note we will be making our first trek to the left coast 8/13 - 8/17.

 

[mermaidtheresa]

It's quite busy, and I would avoid them personally. I hate huge crowds. BATS day too.

What's BATS day? Just curious...

 

[DangerMouse]

What's BATS day? Just curious...

Bats day is geared toward goths, or people who dress and live the gothic lifestyle. Lots of interesting people watching that day! I just never understand why they meet in August, one of the hottest times of the year, then wear all that black, heavy clothing. It's just gotta be miserable.

 

[famograham]

How COOL!!! Bats Day...Gay Days!!

Coming from a woman who was a punky freak (said with great pride!) as a teenager, I'm thrilled to hear that Disney is embracing alternative lifestyles!!

We're very normal looking today...but we're still freaky on the inside..


Linda

 

[tinkerbelt]

I know this thread is geared toward the gay days coming up at DL but I noticed that no one had tackled the potential PDA questions from the little ones and if this is or may be a problem for you, you may want to steer clear of those days.

I wouldn't worry about the PDA thing for gay days any more than I'd worry about it for any other trip to DL. I've never understood why this was such an issue for some people, because in general, you don't hear people worrying about whether or not straight couples are going to be making out all over Disneyland.

PSA for anyone worried about it: Gay people are just like straight people. They just happen to like people of the same sex. Gay people are generally not any more sexually active than straight people.

There seems to be this myth that gay people just make out all over the place. And sure, some do, but I've seen far more hormonal (straight) teenagers going at it in public than gay couples.

 

[mermaidtheresa]

Gay people are generally not any more sexually active than straight people.

One would think...lol. You're so right and it's ridiculous that you have to even say it. Yes, the PDA subject may need to be addressed with the little ones, just as it would be regarding any other couple.

Amen Tinkerbelt!

 

[tinkerbelt]

One would think...lol. You're so right and it's ridiculous that you have to even say it. Yes, the PDA subject may need to be addressed with the little ones, just as it would be regarding any other couple.

Amen Tinkerbelt!

Yeah, it just really really irritates me to no end. I love a lot of people who identify as gay, and so many people do not realize how much these attitudes really hurt people and set back the opportunities for everyone to be treated fairly and equally. I am appalled at how many people I see, both here and at other Disney boards, who have no problem taking advantage of the Gay Days rates, and then they go and complain that they don't want to see gay people kissing, or they don't want to have to explain it to their kids, or they don't want to wear red shirts, because for some reason it would be so terrible if some random stranger thought for a second that they were gay.

You're right that it's ridiculous that it still needs to be said...we've got a long way to go still.

 

[mermaidtheresa]

Yeah, it just really really irritates me to no end. I love a lot of people who identify as gay, and so many people do not realize how much these attitudes really hurt people and set back the opportunities for everyone to be treated fairly and equally. I am appalled at how many people I see, both here and at other Disney boards, who have no problem taking advantage of the Gay Days rates, and then they go and complain that they don't want to see gay people kissing, or they don't want to have to explain it to their kids, or they don't want to wear red shirts, because for some reason it would be so terrible if some random stranger thought for a second that they were gay.

You're right that it's ridiculous that it still needs to be said...we've got a long way to go still.

I wholeheartedly agree. I too, have witnessed some of the negative things said on the boards and was hoping this one didn't go that route as well.
Choose not to explain it to your children if you will, but it's not going away.
I think it's the hate that people should worry about, not love.

And one more thing before I officially step down from my soapbox... I understand if folks choose not to wear red shirts on Gay Days since they are not part of the group celebrating, but the identity factor is what surprises me most. I don't think DL is a hook up joint of any kind and it's pretty safe to say one can tell when another person is with his or her family, is a child, etc. Ugh.

 

[blackjackdelta]

What's BATS day? Just curious...

I think the BATS days are 17,18,19th of August this year. They dress no more different than some of the outfits I see other folks wearing.

Jack

 

[Husker Mickey]

Our family went to DL during the Easter break and there was a Gay Day on one of the days that we were there. As a family, we had decided to dress in the same colors for two of our four days in the park. We are from Nebraska and it was easy for all of us to put on our Husker Red for a day. Luckily, we didn't choose the Gay Day for Husker Red, that is the color that they where to signify their group.
We did not see too much in the way of inappropriate behavior. We did have a number of little ones in our group and they asked why they were wearing the same shirts - Gay Days 2007 or 2006. We just said that they were part of a group and it was easier for them to stay together if they wore the same shirt. The kids understood that because that is what we did for two days with our family party of 23.

 

[JohnZ46]

Mickey's Halloween Treat is happening the Friday night before.

I wonder if there will be any drag queens there. Love 'em or hate 'em they come up with some amazing costumes.

 

[staley7580]

Mickey's Halloween Treat is happening the Friday night before.

I wonder if there will be any drag queens there. Love 'em or hate 'em they come up with some amazing costumes.

I hadnt even thought of that!

 

[fairycat]

What's BATS day? Just curious...

Bat's Day is an unoffical meet up or goth/industrial kids and adults. It means lots of over the top black outfits

Bat's Day actually happens only one day in the actual parks Sunday August 19th. With vending, concerts and dinner happening at a nearby Anaheim Hotel Friday and Saturday http://www.batsday.net The nice thing is that it only effects crowds for one day.

Someone asked why August? This was based on the idea that people have time off and kids out of school (yes some of these goths have families and bring their kids out), they always chose the first Sunday in August that has Summer hours but is open to AP's (most of the summer is blocked for all but the top AP), since a shocking number of us have AP's.

If you are there and want to check out some of the fun check out the photo schedule and drop by the castle for the biggest picture of the day. It is a shocking number of people all decked out.

 

[drouke]

I know this thread is geared toward the gay days coming up at DL but I noticed that no one had tackled the potential PDA questions from the little ones and if this is or may be a problem for you, you may want to steer clear of those days.

Just to be clear, my comments were in no way meant to be negative. As I stated, for the most part it was gay couples with their kids, minding their business, enjoying Disney just like I was. I wasn't trying to make it sound as if people were making out left and right. Yes the potential is there for a child to see a straight or gay couple kissing. Unfortunately, there are people out there that may not be as tolerant to the latter.

 

[famograham]

I'm so glad that my kids 6 and 9 already know that some people love the opposite sex, and others love the same sex.
Kids are very naturally non judgemental, if their parents explain things in a simple, straightforward and open manner.
What we (hubby and I) have always told ours is that "Some men grow up to love women, and some grow up to love men. Some women grow up to love men, and some grow up to love women. And sometimes, a person grows up to love both men and women"
They don't really think twice about it...it's normal for them to be accepting of other's choices

They might have a giggle..or an "eew"...but they would do the same if they saw a hetero couple kissing too


Linda

 

[Vanvmom]

I'm so glad that my kids 6 and 9 already know that some people love the opposite sex, and others love the same sex.
Kids are very naturally non judgemental, if their parents explain things in a simple, straightforward and open manner.
What we (hubby and I) have always told ours is that "Some men grow up to love women, and some grow up to love men. Some women grow up to love men, and some grow up to love women. And sometimes, a person grows up to love both men and women"
They don't really think twice about it...it's normal for them to be accepting of other's choices

They might have a giggle..or an "eew"...but they would do the same if they saw a hetero couple kissing too


Linda

Very well stated.