2003 Gay/Lesbian Pride week at WDW

[PennConn]

Originally posted by Sweethappiness
ShaneV~
Thats very sick and gross! I can't believe that happened!! So much for being hungry!

Gee SweetHappiness

Would it be less "sick and gross" if straight people said that? I've seen plenty of heterosexual people act far more inappropriately ..... (Not that I am condoning this behavior, but you make it sound like a disease, sheesh!)

Just a thought .....

 

[Sweethappiness]

PennConn,
I agree with you. IMHO Heterosexual's shouldn't be acting like that either! That was just my 2 cents.

 

[ShaneV]

If there were only adults in the room I could of cared less what they said. It didnt bother me personally. What did bother me was a whole hour of explict sexual comments very loudly while sitting next to young kids. I agree with PennConn I would have been offended if it were straight people too, but I have never experienced ANYONE that loud before. Im not saying it hasnt happened, just not to me.

 

[tonygowell]

After reading the pages of this thread..a couple of things come to mind.

Is it possible for 5,000 people to be at the front gate doing ANYTHING together? At 3PM?

Loud comments in a restaurant.....well, I wait tables and trust me...people say tactless crap all the time.

As an educator, a comment like that was interpreted far more innocently on young ears, if they even were paying attention. It's the adults that make a big deal out of it. I bet if a response had been made to a question regarding the man 'needing help working it off' that ....'oh honey, he wants an exercise partner at the gym' would have worked well.

Children are only interested in anything parents talk about when a) it involves them, and b) when grown ups act weird or embarassed about something.

I recommend families to go during gayday events, because most participants don't have any children. So, that means you get great opportunities for character meet and greets and kid rides.

For instance, gayday Saturday at the MK...we had character breakfast at The Crystal Palace at the crack of dawn..There were exactly 11 children present in the entire room. There were maybe 15 tables seated for the hour we were there. (I think over-imbibing the night before probably was the culprit). Those kids went ape for Pooh and friends. And they were able to spend plenty of time with each.

So don't rule out gaydays for crowds unless you're without kids. Then, you may very well be trapped in long lines etc.

 

[WDWFOREVER]

CDizney - can I just say that I echo a lot of your remarks. I was there on the Saturday in question at Magic Kingdom last year. It was the last day of our holiday and my son (who was 8 at the time) insisted on going to see Mickey before we travelled home to the UK so it wasn't a question of choice for me as to whether or not we went. We were unfortunate enough to see some very inappropriate behaviour. However, I made the mistake of replying to a thread called something like "Did you visit MK on Gay Days and if so, what was it like". I was extremely honest and mentioned the problems we had encountered and was utterly vilified for it by several other Disboard members. I was absolutely stunned as I have no axe to grind, have no prejudices of any sort and was just giving an honest opinion. Unfortunately though, some people think that your opinion and experience aren't worth a light if you don't share the same ones as they do. I was left quite upset and traumatised by the stick I received and as a result have only posted 3 or 4 times on these boards since. I was absolutely mortified but have plucked up the courage to post again as I can see from the tone of some of the posts here that you are likely to experience the same thing I did. Take it from me, it isn't worth it. Sad really, as the majority of the people on these boards are absolutely wonderful and were a great comfort to me during a recent bereavement (mostly through PMs).

 

[Hagred]

I'd also like to respond to the "Dude, that's sick!!!!" attitude regarding comments about "helping me work it off later".

I have to echo Tonygowell in respects to kids not paying attention to strangers remarks to each other. The first thing that came to my mind when I first read Shane's post was exercise. I, myself, have asked friends (regardless of gender or age) who wheedle dessert when we're eating to join me in the gym to "work it off".

I'd hate to think that some eavesdropper was thinking I was propositioning a child in sexual congress when my intentions were to have that child right next to me on the incumbant bike. After all, if you're going to do the crime (yes, some chocolate cake is so rich it should be illegal), you should do the time.

I also agree with the questions about whether this would be considered so sick if the people you are evesdropping on would have been hetero instead of gay.

 

[Pete's Mom]

Originally posted by WDWFOREVER
CDizney - can I just say that I echo a lot of your remarks. I was there on the Saturday in question at Magic Kingdom last year. It was the last day of our holiday and my son (who was 8 at the time) insisted on going to see Mickey before we travelled home to the UK so it wasn't a question of choice for me as to whether or not we went. We were unfortunate enough to see some very inappropriate behaviour. However, I made the mistake of replying to a thread called something like "Did you visit MK on Gay Days and if so, what was it like". I was extremely honest and mentioned the problems we had encountered and was utterly vilified for it by several other Disboard members. I was absolutely stunned as I have no axe to grind, have no prejudices of any sort and was just giving an honest opinion. Unfortunately though, some people think that your opinion and experience aren't worth a light if you don't share the same ones as they do. I was left quite upset and traumatised by the stick I received and as a result have only posted 3 or 4 times on these boards since. I was absolutely mortified but have plucked up the courage to post again as I can see from the tone of some of the posts here that you are likely to experience the same thing I did. Take it from me, it isn't worth it. Sad really, as the majority of the people on these boards are absolutely wonderful and were a great comfort to me during a recent bereavement (mostly through PMs).

I am so sorry that this happened to you and hope that you will feel comfortable posting again!

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Originally posted by freediverdude
Well, being gay myself, I have a couple of comments, but they aren't all pro-gay-day. I myself think that unless the "it's a gay world after all" chorus was a sanctioned Disney event, that it was inappropriate in a public family theme park, especially at 3 pm when the little kids are there. The gay groups should be able to walk around with matching t-shirts if they want or hold hands if they want, and just generally feel the camaraderie of seeing all the other gays there, but the public singing seems a little over the top, unless Disney actually told them they could do it, in which case that would then be Disney's decision. On the other hand, getting on a MK monorail and just standing there, no kissing, not even holding hands- and getting dirty looks and made to feel uncomfortable by the straight couples isn't right either ( which happened to me). I could just tell by the look they were purposely giving that they were thinking "you shouldn't be here, why don't you just leave", and that wasn't good behavior either. I purposely didn't say anything so as to not start an incident, but I wasn't happy. So, I think there's some things going on with both sides, and it's just going to take a lot of time before gays are more accepted, and some gays won't need to make a scene to proclaim their gayness anymore. It's just going to take time, and as it all happens, I'm just going to try to be as polite as I can with everybody, and hope others do the same.

I have to agree with you on this one. CDizney mentions the fact that her and her husband felt "uncomfortable" while they were down there. Try going to Disney any other time of the year and it is just the opposite. My partner and I usually go to Disney about three times a year and we always at least once a trip get the "look" as we hold hands on the monorail, or comments are made as we cuddle and watch Illuminations. This past trip in October we had gotten dinner at O'Hanas and then walked out to the pier so we could watch the Electrical Water Pageant and the the fireworks from MNSSHP. It was a little chilly and I had forgotten my jacket, so my partner (Jason) gave me his jackets and then rubbed my arms to help me warm up. We then sat down on one the benches and held hands while the fireworks started. I heard a woman probably in her mid 30's make comments to her husband and then she took off in a huff. So if you want to talk about being "uncomfortable" try dealing with stuff like that everytime you go not just one set week. So if you know that you are scheduling your vacation during the Gay Days period and you have had trouble in the past, schedule for a different week!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

OK... let's get back on track here..I believe this is a thread about the crowds and your experiences during the Gay/Lesbian Pride Week at WDW...if you post here and are honest about your experience... fine, but I do not want to see people being bashed around by others for their opinions or experiences visiting WDW during that time.. so in saying that let's be respectful to each other here..

I will be watching this thread and hopefully we can get through it respecting each other's opinions.

 

[MHopkins2]

I heard a woman probably in her mid 30's make comments to her husband and then she took off in a huff.

Good riddance to bad rubbish?

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Originally posted by MHopkins2
Good riddance to bad rubbish?

You know it.


After reading through different posts again, a thought came to mind. It was mentioned that someone was inappropriately dressed i.e. biking shorts with no jockstrap and a tight muscle t-shirt. So this led me to think about all the times I've seen people wearing clothing that I found offensive and it led me to the question of was the problem with this person's attire because they were gay? I ask this because many times I've seen people with offensive language on t-shirts, or the overweight women in short shorts and a tiny tank top with belly exposed. I've seen 13 year old girls with shorts up to here and a shirt that could double as a bra.

 

[AmyA]

Originally posted by HauntedMansionFan
You know it.


After reading through different posts again, a thought came to mind. It was mentioned that someone was inappropriately dressed i.e. biking shorts with no jockstrap and a tight muscle t-shirt. So this led me to think about all the times I've seen people wearing clothing that I found offensive and it led me to the question of was the problem with this person's attire because they were gay? I ask this because many times I've seen people with offensive language on t-shirts, or the overweight women in short shorts and a tiny tank top with belly exposed. I've seen 13 year old girls with shorts up to here and a shirt that could double as a bra.

Exactly, HMF. I don't know how many "inappropriate" outfits we saw when DH and I went in September. In fact, on one of our MK days we kept running into this couple from Brazil---the guy had on the exact outfit described above, and his wife/girlfriend had on short white shorts and a see-thru white tank top (no bra that I could tell). Due to the fact that we kept running into them throughout the day, I'll assume that they weren't escorted out and asked to change.

As for going to WDW during gaydays---I just don't understand the big deal. If you are a Disney vacationer that does some of your planning via the internet (and if you are reading the DIS, you are), you know when gaydays are. If it's going to bother you to be there during gaydays for whatever reason----then pick one of the other 51 weeks in the year to go.

 

[raidermatt]

OK... let's get back on track here..I believe this is a thread about the crowds and your experiences during the Gay/Lesbian Pride Week at WDW...if you post here and are honest about your experience... fine, but I do not want to see people being bashed around by others for their opinions or experiences visiting WDW during that time.. so in saying that let's be respectful to each other here..

 

[raidermatt]

We all have opinions about what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. The same clothes can be considered appropriate on one person and inappropriate on another.

No amount of "soap-boxing" is going to change that.

I don't know how many "inappropriate" outfits we saw when DH and I went in September. In fact, on one of our MK days we kept running into this couple from Brazil---the guy had on the exact outfit described above, and his wife/girlfriend had on short white shorts and a see-thru white tank top (no bra that I could tell).

You have a right to think this is inappropropriate, and another person has a right to think the previous outfit described is inappropriate. Neither comment is more or less valid than the other.

The point is to share your experience with what you saw, so those looking for info can form their own opinion. If somebody is bothered by guys in bike shorts with no extra support, they are bothered by it, and there is nothing wrong with saying so.

If they are calling for a ban, that's a different story. But if they are just saying they don't like it and would go at a different time to avoid it, there's nothing wrong with posting that on this board.

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

I think the point that was trying to be made or rather the question that was being asked is: Would the same person feel "uncomfortable" with one of the other dressing situations that was put forth?

 

[AmyA]

Originally posted by raidermatt
We all have opinions about what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. The same clothes can be considered appropriate on one person and inappropriate on another.

No amount of "soap-boxing" is going to change that.


You have a right to think this is inappropropriate, and another person has a right to think the previous outfit described is inappropriate. Neither comment is more or less valid than the other.

Raidermatt,
You seem to have misinterpreted what I was trying to say. I personally don't care what anyone wears to a theme park--that's the reason I put "inappropriate" in quotation marks.

What I was commenting on was that I feel that escorting a gay man (during gaydays) from the park for wearing what so many straight men wear all the time in the park was absurd. That's why I put this comment, "Due to the fact that we kept running into them throughout the day, I'll assume that they weren't escorted out and asked to change." in there, too (which you left out of the blurb you quoted from my post).

As for being on topic, I really and truly believe that if gaydays, or what gay people wear, or the fact that gay people have a private party at Typhoon Lagoon, really does bother people, they have a choice of 51 other weeks of the year that they can visit WDW. 51 weeks of "straightdays".

I find complete avoidance of gaydays (due to a feeling of homosexuality being immoral) a rather intolerant stance on the subject that wouldn't work for my family, but hey--everyone is entitled to their opinion and just because I don't agree doesn't make it inherently wrong.

 

[raidermatt]

I think the point that was trying to be made or rather the question that was being asked is: Would the same person feel "uncomfortable" with one of the other dressing situations that was put forth?

That's what I thought (but apparently I misunderstood). But to answer your question anyway, it doesn't really matter, within the context of this board. Nobody should have to justify what makes them uncomfortable. Granted, they should state their opinions with respect, which doesn't always happen (note: not directed at anyone in particular), but that's a different issue.

What I was commenting on was that I feel that escorting a gay man (during gaydays) from the park for wearing what so many straight men wear all the time in the park was absurd.

There's far too many variables to come to the conclusion that escorting one man out and not the other was absurd. How tight were the shorts in each case? How short? How you determine whether a jock strap is being worn vs. how Disney security determined it. Differences in the shirts. Other behavior not observed.

Again, I am not trying to debate what anyone thinks is inappropriate, including Disney security. However, saying that the standards are different for gay men at WDW vs. straight men at WDW is a classic case of jumping to a conclusion with insufficient evidence. There's just no way to justify calling security's actions absurd.

As for being on topic, I really and truly believe that if gaydays, or what gay people wear, or the fact that gay people have a private party at Typhoon Lagoon, really does bother people, they have a choice of 51 other weeks of the year that they can visit WDW. 51 weeks of "straightdays".

Yes they do. But if they haven't been there, and want to know what to expect, they rely on all of the observations and opinions of those who are willing to post them here. If the things you describe do bother them, its better that they find out now and pick another time, rather than go and get a surprise, then come back here and complain. Some of the comments made discourage those who might have the "un-pc" view from speaking up.

 

[CathyCanada]

This thread is no longer an informational thread on Gay Day experiences, it is turning into a debate, really. Please feel free to discuss this further on the Debate Board, but this is no longer on topic for the TPAS board.
Thanks!
Cathy