[EmpressJenny]

Originally Posted by MJD

Nicely said. MJD

Thanks! It's all in a bid for the presidency, you know

[Princess Tessa]

I think two guys/two girls kissing should be explained to a 4 yr old no differently than explaining a guy and a girl kissing. Keeping children...at any age...thinking that being gay is something different will only encourage judgment.
My sister is a lesbian and and my best friend is gay so I'm very gay rights...careful what you say around me...hehe

[Cinderellafifi]

My family and I were at MGM on the last day of "Gay Days" and besides seeing more "couples", there was nothing out of the ordinary. We didn't even notice as much as hand-holding. I think your bigger concern would be with crowds, but for us, that day, it was more than tolerable all around. Have fun!

[Dana]

Are we doing this subject again? Sheesh. The behavior of the gay people during gay week are no more inappropriate than the park guests on an average day. I consider a foul mouthed person dressed with daisy dukes more inappropriate than two men holding hands. Impressionable children need to know that gay people are everywhere and should be accepted as such. They are normal and born that way.

[quartz7]

I have a 9 yr old DD and a 5yr old DS. Very inquisitive 9 year old. When we were there in Dec. we saw a young female couple holding hands, just holding hands. My daughter just kept staring and my son could care less. I finally took my daughter aside and she asked me why they were holding hands. I said they love each other. I tried to explain girlfriend and girlfriend. Went right over her head. This isn't something she sees everyday, it is very difficult to explain and not put your beliefs in. I understand how parents feel, it was an unusual conversation, and hard for her to understand. Of course, she totally forgot about it after we got on Alladins magic carpet ride. With all that said, give people a little leeway on what they ask. People are more comfortable knowing the facts and preparing. Maybe they are being inquisitive like my daughter.

Janelle

[quakercub]

Originally Posted by Princess Tessa

I think two guys/two girls kissing should be explained to a 4 yr old no differently than explaining a guy and a girl kissing. Keeping children...at any age...thinking that being gay is something different will only encourage judgment.
My sister is a lesbian and and my best friend is gay so I'm very gay rights...careful what you say around me...hehe

Thanks Tessa.

As a gay man who doesn't choose to attend Gay Days at Disney, I feel it important to remind people that we are there every day. A fair number of employees of Disney are gay or lesbian. Many of us celebrate our anniversarys there because it is a welcoming place that believes in diversity. I agree with Tessa. Explaining two people of any gender is quite simple. Just say, "They love each other, that's why they kiss and hug." That doesn't mean that I believe it's appropriate for people to deep kiss or do other more intimate things in public. It does mean that two people who want to hold hands walking down Main Street USA should be able to regardless of orientation. They should be able to have their arms around each other during Wishes or Illuminations. And everyone, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or any other difference deserves to be respected.

Having said that, if you are not comfortable attending during Gay Days, don't. That is your right, just as it's mine and my partner's right to be treated equally. That's what America is all about. Freedom.

[EmpressJenny]

I hope that no one had their feelings hurt when I mentioned the fact that some parents have a difficult time explaining grown-up things to small children. It certainly isn't my intention to make anyone think that I have a problem with homosexuality - before I was married I lived with a close friend of mine and her girlfriend for quite some time. I was merely trying to explain, not excuse, the reason that some people choose to avoid bringing their small children to WDW during GD weeks.

[cinderbella]

Does anyone know when "Gay Days" are this year?

[Cavey]

In August 2004, Fox News had a segment on Gay Days at WDW. The footage shot by a WDW guest--which had to be heavily edited for TV--showed leather & chain clad men simulating(?) sex on a Pleasure Island stage. This was NOT two guys getting out of hand. It was the focus of entertainment for the audience.

Fox News had the guy who taped the "event" and the organizer of Gay Days. It was amazing how the organizer--who couldn't see the monitor--kept saying we do nothing inappropriate at these events; they are family friendly. The News host kept asking, then why are we looking at this footage? And the organizer kept saying we do nothing inappropriate.

The footage I saw ensures we will never be at WDW at Gay Days.

BTW, this is the second time in a week that people are raising gay rights on DC. Give it a rest. I don't need to be told what to tell my children about this issue.

[lawwin]

Gay days is Monday, May 30 - Sun., June 5. The days in the parks are as follows (and this comes directly from the Gaydays website):

Thurs., June 2 - Animal Kingdom
Fri., June 3 - Disney MGM Studios
Sat., June 4 - Magic Kingdom
Sun., June 5 - Epcot

The early part of the week is a funship cruise, so the parks should not be as busy. However, do remember that is also Memorial day weekend and the crowds will be heavy on Monday.

I have been keeping an eye on all of this because this is when lil brer and I will be at WDW (from May 27 - June 6). I have a plan to avoid the parks where the crowds are. I went to the gay days site and looked at their schedule when I found out that it was the week that we would be there, just because I wanted to know which park to avoid for crowd purposes. I have talked to my DD about this and she fully understands what is occuring that week and why certain parks will be avoided on certain days. I have no aversion to gay people or explaining to my DD (who is 11, soon to be 12) what they are about. I have already done that. I do, however, have a large aversion to crowds and long waits, and this is why I will make note of any activity that is going on at WDW during the time I am there and avoid the area where it is taking place, so that I can avoid a large crowd, like the one that I am sure will be in attendance during this time.

[cinderbella]

Thanks lawwin...I too just want to aviod the crowds...i personally dont care is people are pink, purple, white, black, jewish, christain, muslim, gay or straight. i just want to aviod lines :)

[cinderbella]

Hey lawwin..i just realized we'll be there around the same time! DBF and I are going June 1st thru the 8th!
I am also confused about the 'gay day' stuff...are they only allowed to go to those parks on those days? Or do they have certain events going on at the parks?

[lawwin]

No, they don't have certain events going on the parks on those days, because the event itself is not sanctioned by Disney (like Grad nights which is and has specific events at MK). On the Gay Days site they sell Park hopper tickets for the attendees to purchase and I imagine that some of them may park hop, so when the crowds get thick at the park that we are at we plan to head back to POFQ and rest, relax, head for the pools (cause we can use POFQ or POR), or for some pin trading at DTD or shopping. We don't have a general plan and so we are very flexible on when we can go somewhere and do other things.

Just a word of caution - to avoid the night time crowds as well as the daytime crowds. See the following list from the gay days site for the night time calendar -

Thurs. night, June 2 - Gay Night at Mannequin's on Pleasure Island
Fri. Night, June 3 - Typhoon Lagoon Party from 8pm - 2 am (they have the park rented, but I would even avoid it earlier due to crowds.)
Sat. Night, June 4 - One Mighty Party at Disney MGM Studios from 9:30 pm to 2:30 am (I would avoid this park prior to closing due to crowds. I know this is MK day, but I assume some will leave MK early to head over to MGM for this.)

[BDavis932]

OT Ladies, but Cinderbella and Lawwin...A Goofy Family and ours will be there when y'all are (5/26-6/4). Maybe we can meet up at a parade or a quick hello!

We've been twice during Gay Days at WDW and we just avoid the park they are at that day and we've never had a crowd problem. It will be fine....

[lawwin]

Hey, that would be very cool. lil brer and I are very interested in meeting our DC pals. We will be wearing our DC pins and will have to pick a place and time to meet and greet.