"NOT" Closing this board

[WebmasterCorey]

While I hate to do it, I'm considering closing this board due to inactivity. I am open to options from THIS community, including making it private. Let me know here or send me an email.

 

[pirate33]

That would be horrible IMHO, especially in these times. It’s true this board is quiet but it’s important for people who need it to have it available. There have been problems with really persistent, mean trolls and that may have run people off. Maybe a private board is a good idea so trolls can be banished.

 

[vakamalua]

The Dis Boards are for everyone! A board like this has done a. lot of good supporting & advising people. To shut it down or make it private gives in to the trolls that keep people from posting. It also sends the message that some people are not part of the Dis culture & should remain off the grid. The solution is to have the administrators monitor it carefully to delete all the hateful troll comments.

 

[pirate33]

The Dis Boards are for everyone! A board like this has done a. lot of good supporting & advising people. To shut it down or make it private gives in to the trolls that keep people from posting. It also sends the message that some people are not part of the Dis culture & should remain off the grid. The solution is to have the administrators monitor it carefully to delete all the hateful troll comments.

These are strong points. And the trolling has not been subtle. They would post repeatedly variations on the same thing to the point where it becomes online bullying and harassment.

 

[WebmasterCorey]

I’m also open to adding a moderator here to help spark new conversations. I’m one of only two active administrators, but I actively monitor all reports for the unmoderated boards. I’m an ally, so I’d love to keep this space inclusive, with zero tolerance for bullying and harassment.

 

[kylenne]

Please keep it! A mod would definitely help. I'm one who has kind of stopped posting on this board due to the trolling and it sucks because now more than ever such a space is needed.

 

[ej119]

I am rarely, if ever, active on this board, but I check it almost every day for updates. I know this is not your intention, @WebmasterCorey, but given everything else going on in the world right now, I feel like closing this board sends the wrong message to LGBTQ+ folks and their allies.

 

[bsmcneil]

I'm here; I'm queer; my love for Disney and this board is moderate to severe.

In all seriousness, as a queer parent really into WDW and my trips there - I come by the boards and check a few main boards in this order: Rumors and News, Restaurants, LGBTQ+ and the Families board. When I'm done with those, I mosey over to Controversial Topics and the Community Board. Sometimes there are new threads in the LGBTQ section - sometimes not. But like the Disability board (and I have a form of muscular dystrophy so I know this well) - DisneyParks has been a godsend when it comes to feeling safe being queer. That was true in a world where having an Human Rights Campaign sticker would get your car pushed off the road by guys yelling at you - whereas the very same year, a shirt with the same logo got me a thumbs up from a character (who patted the shirt and then gave me the thumbs up). It was scary to be queer and out in 1999/2000/2001. Hard to believe, likely for people like the poster above me who glibly ... well, I won't go there.

And now it's 2025 and I live in a state rated as a D for LGBTQ safety. I raise kids in that state, kids who might well be queer - or straight, trans or non-binary or cisgender. And I continue to hope that DisneyParks are a place where they'll feel safe no matter what.

Having the space allows people to seek the advice and help they need (same is true for a number of identities). I'd ask you to keep it open and I'm happy to help with it, if I can.

Me, proud to wear that HRC shirt back in 2001, right before I got the thumbs up.

 

[Chuck S]

I'm not opposed to taking it private, so we can discuss current events and political issues, but would really prefer it remain public. If you need a moderator, I can do some of it in addition to the DVC Boards.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'll chime in here and support most of the comments above. I'm an ally and as such I enjoy a large circle of friends in the community. With the current state of affairs in the nation (trying to avoid politics) I think a board like this is even more important. A place where people can come and talk about the issues as well as about how it relates to a trip to Disney.

 

[OKW Lover]

Just to add to my comment above. One of the people I met on one of the first (or perhaps the second) DIS Podcast Cruises has a trans-son and they are afraid to even travel to FL right now. I know that at least one of the former podcasters also has a trans-child. Of course there were several Gay DIS Unplugged podcasters in the early days and that continues. So I know there is a sizable LGBTQ+ population that follow these boards even if they aren't vocal right now.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I'm just an ally. But a fierce one, as anyone who frequents the controversial section knows.

I would prefer this section not be closed.

I was never quite sure if the content here needed to be LGBTQ and Disney-related or if it could also be just LGBTQ stuff. But maybe that would overlap too much with "controversial" in today's climate (which is sad, IMO.)

Either way, I think shutting it down signals to the trolls that they have "won."

 

[Chuck S]

One of the people I met on one of the first (or perhaps the second) DIS Podcast Cruises has a trans-son and they are afraid to even travel to FL right now.

That's a real shame. The Disney bubble is a safe environment, basically I fly in, take Mears Connect and stay on Disney property, order in some groceries from Walmart, and I'm a happy camper. I wear Disney pride themed shirts most days, and on the rare days I wear a solid color sleeveless shirt, my Rainbow Mickey Mouse tattoo is visible, and I've been complimented on the tattoo by CMs.

 

[OKW Lover]

That's a real shame. The Disney bubble is a safe environment, basically I fly in, take Mears Connect and stay on Disney property, order in some groceries from Walmart, and I'm a happy camper. I wear Disney pride themed shirts most days, and on the rare days I wear a solid color sleeveless shirt, my Rainbow Mickey Mouse tattoo is visible, and I've been complimented on the tattoo by CMs.

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This is exactly the kind of discussion that should be here on the boards! So many are afraid of the political climate and ar at risk of being driven back into the closet.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I always wear my "Free Mom Hugs" shirt once each Disneyland and WDW trip. I've gotten several compliments from guests and cast members. My husband wears his "Protect Trans Kids" shirt once each trip too.

I know we have the privilege of being cis (and cis-presenting) though so we haven't felt unsafe.

Overall, I have felt Disneyland seemed much more inclusive to me. To anyone afraid to take trips to Florida, I highly recommend Disneyland. And go during a pride night event if you can. Even if you don't go to the actual evening event, the atmosphere in the park on those days is really nice!

And you don't have the awful heat and humidity like in Florida.

 

[Chuck S]

I was a little surprised that those Disney surveys they send to our emails after a WDW trip included a question if anyone in my traveling party identified as LGBTQ+ this year after my trip earlier this month. I think that is the first time I've seen that question on a Disney survey. I did notice a lack of Disney Pride merch on the trip (there was some, mugs, pins, etc) but not a good selection of shirts/clothing. I chalked that up to them clearing out inventory to make room for new Pride items prior to the June Gay Days. I'm hoping for a nicely designed Pride themed Magic Band+ this year.

 

[kylenne]

That's a real shame. The Disney bubble is a safe environment, basically I fly in, take Mears Connect and stay on Disney property, order in some groceries from Walmart, and I'm a happy camper. I wear Disney pride themed shirts most days, and on the rare days I wear a solid color sleeveless shirt, my Rainbow Mickey Mouse tattoo is visible, and I've been complimented on the tattoo by CMs.

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Yeah like. Me and my gf are very clockable together and we have always felt safe and welcome on property. On our 2023 trip when things were really spicy down there with the protesters etc we did make the decision to cut out regular Lyfts and just use Minnie Vans despite the additional expense, just for safety's sake (also our parents were worried about us, my gf is butch and visibly gnc and we are an interracial couple of top of all that). Funny enough we were there for Gay Days and it was wonderful. We made so many friends at the parks. But even in regular times we feel safe and supported there. Only a few times we have seen ugly political shirts. Many more allies and family. Last time we went back to our usual rideshares etc and felt ok.

I would love to go to CA since I haven't been to DLR since I was 8 but being east coasters WDW is just an easier trip for us. We are trying to wait until some of the construction is done out west because that's not an all the time vacation the way FL is for us.

 

[WebmasterCorey]

Okay, I will keep this board open. I agree that now is not the time to take things away.

 

[OKW Lover]

Good move Corey!

 

[Karalee402]

Just wanted to chime in and show my appreciation for you keeping the board open, Corey! I'm just an ally, but I'm the mom of biracial children, and in this climate of removal so many diversity initiatives, taking this board away right now would send the worst message. It's a time for us to stand up for each other as loudly as possible!