Heard on the Net: “Gay Day” at Disney
Posted
April 16, 2008 at
11:35 am by
Jessica
Recently I stumbled upon a parenting debate about whether or not parents would take their children to “Gay Day” at Disney World. Although “Gay Day” isn’t an officially sponsored event, it is an organized one. In case you’re not familiar with it, one day out of the year gay couples, with or without children, go to Disney World to experience the park as the majority.
What caught my eye was the following comment on pregnancy.org:
So now you understand why there is a need for “gay day”…’cause every other day is “hetero day” at Disney World (and everywhere else), and it’s tough to have everything catered to another group’s interests. Doesn’t feel so good when you don’t see your family and your own family values widely represented, does it?
That statement seemed so ridiculous to me. Why does anyone’s and everyone’s interests have to be widely represented anyway? My question has nothing to do with whether or not I “agree” with the “gay lifestyle”. I couldn’t care less about that.
For some reason, this reminds me of the times when I’ve been in the minority. At one of my past jobs, I went looking for a daycare for my older son who was about 3 years old at the time. Lucky for me, there was a Montessori across the street. How convenient was that? So, I made an appointment to take a tour and given that the company was located smack dab in the middle of “Korean Town”, all the children and staff were Korean. I’m not exaggerating. There was not one other ethnicity represented besides Korean.
I kept an open mind looking at Korean lesson plans on the teacher’s desks and when I received an awkward outsider reception from the Administrator. As convenient as it might have been, I decided against sending him there. I didn’t want my son to feel like the odd kid out if I didn’t have to. I also saw no reason to submerge into a culture at 3 years old that he would likely not appreciate or understand. Granted, kids are resilient and he would have adapted, and probably learned some interesting differences, but I would have preferred a more diverse group. It had nothing to do with hate or racism or prejudice, but of cultural comfort. That is why a Korean Montessori exists to begin with — in order to find that comfort and simpatico and preserve a unique culture.
My point being, the commenters accusing those who don’t want to go to “Gay Day” as hateful and ignorant, aren’t they contradicting themselves when they point out that gay couples don’t want to have to always conform to the interests of straight people and the majority?
Human nature dictates that people like to be around people like them, even those who are the most accepting and tolerant people in the world.
I have to wonder if the people accusing others of being hateful have made a point to live in an area outside their own race and common interests? I’m sure the answer is no.
Tags: child-diversity, Disney, disney-gay-day, diversity, gay-couples-with-children, Heard on the Net, prejudice, racism, tolerance |
15 Responses to “Heard on the Net: “Gay Day” at Disney”
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1. Rita said:
April 17, 2008 @ 9:39 am
I don’t know, I hate Disney, so that overshadows any other gay tolerance issues.
2. Allison J said:
April 17, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
– So now you understand why there is a need for “gay day”…’cause every other day is “hetero day” at Disney World (and everywhere else), and it’s tough to have everything catered to another group’s interests. Doesn’t feel so good when you don’t see your family and your own family values widely represented, does it? –
In that case, I am petitioning a “husband, wife and dog day” at Disney. Maybe some “pet-only” rides. A toss-the-bone game. Close Epcot for a mass doggie play-date.
3. smj3a said:
April 17, 2008 @ 10:56 pm
My family has vacationed in Rehoboth Beach, De. for years…It is a huge family AND gay vacation spot. It does not bother me. I have never had to explain anything to my children…The gay couples are very respectful of children (they may hold hands, but I have never seen kissing.) Everyone really gets along fine. If they want to do a “gay” Disney Day, who cares…There are too many other things going on in this world to worry about.
4. Friend said:
May 4, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
Gay Day is CRAP IMO!!!! They just want to flaunt. I could care less what people do in the privacy of their own bedrooms….but don’t the gays just want to be accepted and blend in….I don’t think having a GAY DAY is the way to do it!!!!
5. Rita said:
May 4, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
[quote comment="160201"]Gay Day is CRAP IMO!!!! They just want to flaunt. I could care less what people do in the privacy of their own bedrooms….[/quote]
Well…flaunt? I don’t know. People can show public displays of affection within the boundaries of the law, and holding hands and kissing are within those boundaries. I really don’t care about alternate coupling (mixed races, mixed religion, same sex, one being a differently abled and one not). As far as my kids go, they know about same sex unions. It’s not about sex, it’s about unions, and they’ve understood that sometimes men choose to “marry” other men and some women choose to “marry” other women long before they understood anything about the mechanics of sex.
[quote comment="160201"]but don’t the gays just want to be accepted and blend in….I don’t think having a GAY DAY is the way to do it!!!![/quote]
This is another idea entirely, and interesting. It does seem like they’re segregating themselves with this, doesn’t it? I can’t see having “girl” day at Disney or “african american” day or “blind” day going over real well, since those groups have made significant measures to integrate themselves into the bigger society and thwart being seen as especially different.
Interesting.
6. Friend said:
May 4, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
I am in Utah, and believe it or not we have a high gay population. As far as moderate display of affection that is tasteful, no problem….but I see as may gay couples as not trying to draw attention…that is what bugs me…however, you see that in hetero couples too who lack class.
7. Rita said:
May 4, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
[quote comment="160207"]however, you see that in hetero couples too who lack class.[/quote]
Or who are just young.
8. Friend said:
May 4, 2008 @ 1:30 pm
Just say what is on your mind Rita…I guess I don’t read well between your lines…
9. Queen Bee said:
May 4, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
This is one of my pet peeves. I happen to have many homosexual people in my world whom I love and respect very much but not one of them thinks they need special days to celebrate who they screw.
So if we can make up days to celebrate select groups of people or families at Disney, can we have African American day? Jewish Survivors of the Holocaust day? or perhaps we could have Elizabeth Taylor day where everyone with multiple marriages could take a seat of honor. I’m sorry but when people were petitioning for equal rights with marriage and the law that’s one thing, but hosting a bloody parade of half dressed people sucking each other’s face off in various corners of the world give me a fricken break. I thought the parades were ridiculous, well Disney takes the cake.
I don’t care what kind of family you are, just enjoy the venue I don’t see what your sexual orientation has to do with it. It’s not like they are gonna make special rides for the occasion.
I think it’s a bit self absorbed to assume that just because a family dynamic is alternative to the traditional father,mother, children scenario that people are staring at them during their time at an amusement park. They aren’t looking at those people any more than they are watching other blended families, bi-cultural families, or cougars with their boy toys (well they might be checking the boy toys out LOL!). Just another excuse to make the news as far as I’m concerned.
Sheeeeeesh!
I’m gonna host my own parade, carnival day called ‘I don’t give a rats ass who you sleep with, have fun and stay dressed’(you wouldn’t want to catch something delicate on the rides
).
10. Queen Bee said:
May 4, 2008 @ 3:34 pm
Looks like I posted at the same time as others and said similar things. I just get annoyed when anyone singles themselves out and then complains if others don’t get it. Would I not go on Gay Day, no of course not, but I just don’t think it needs a day. Couples are couples, families are families and you don’t need a ‘day’ to explain it.
11. Jessica. said:
May 4, 2008 @ 6:40 pm
[quote comment="160288"]I happen to have many homosexual people in my world whom I love and respect very much but not one of them thinks they need special days to celebrate who they screw.[/quote]
ROFLMAO!! That is hilarious.
12. Queen Bee said:
May 4, 2008 @ 11:26 pm
I’m glad you got a laugh at my bluntness Jessica
I’m considering hosting ‘Ben and Jerry’s Day’ where everyone sits around eating their favorite tub of ice cream, wanna join me LOL! We could even do it at Disney and they could make a ride called the Chunky Monkey (oh no then monkeys everywhere would picket the park due to weight stereotyping). That would probably instigate Monkey Appreciation Day, and it would just get far too expensive! 
13. Jen said:
June 12, 2008 @ 2:40 pm
I am a mom of 3 children…9, 7, and 5. We were a little hesitant when we found out that the week we were going to Disney World was gay week. We have nothing against the gay community, we just did not want to have to explain to our children about sexual preferences at an early age. Anyways, I want to tell all concerned parents that it was not diffrent than any regular time at Disney. Yes, you would see gay couples but just as respectful as any family man/woman. NOTHING to be concerned about. As a matter-a-fact we will be booking again for next year at the same time.
14. Jen said:
June 12, 2008 @ 2:42 pm
By the way, we were there from May 31, 2008-June 9, 2008
15. Grandma frm Ks. said:
June 12, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
[quote comment="160290"]Looks like I posted at the same time as others and said similar things. I just get annoyed when anyone singles themselves out and then complains if others don’t get it. Would I not go on Gay Day, no of course not, but I just don’t think it needs a day. Couples are couples, families are families and you don’t need a ‘day’ to explain it.[/quote]
Queen Bee, I love “Single them selves out” it’s like the prisoners, get them selves locked up, and then complain about thier room service, I don’t get into debates about Gay ppl or thier rights, b/c my self I just don’t get it. ( understand it) I to have a couple of gay aquaintances, but it’s kept between them, Great ppl. some ppl will go back to “when my ancestors came over on the Mayflower crap”, well twiddle dee dee, so who cares, And Jessica, ppl who accuse others of being hateful, well like you said ,They probably have never been out of thier comfort zone. I believe in live and let live, if it’s decent, I have seen some Gays and male/female interactions that should not be in public, We should always try to be respectful of others.