The Worlds Gayest Theme Parks

[Mind Eraser]

I think the "World's Gayest Park" goes to...

 

http://rcdb.com/pd942.htm

 

 

-kip-

(Them homosexual dolphins!)

[shepp]

I am kind of suprised that Universal would "officially" promote a gay day at their parks. The religious right would throw a boycott at them before they even knew what happened. I mean ... they threatened Disney and it wasn't even a park sponsored event. I don't think (at least as of now) that any of these larger corporate parks (Disney, Universal, Busch, etc) would be able to justify sponsoring these type of events for fear of the backlash that will be experience in the so-called "Red States".

 

Well, in all honesty, I'm not sure how officially official Universal's participation is. (And I'd hate to get Uni in trouble with the no-neckers.) But yes, the threat of Jesus-wavers' boycotts is fearsome. Let's not forget how they drove WDW into bankruptcy and got Will and Grace kicked off the air, not to mention the suicide of Spongebob Squarepants and the Teletubbies' descent into heroin addiction and madness.

[disneygurlz2s]

I can honestly tell you, from my four years at PKI, that the majority of patrons on the so called "gay day" were well behaved and most were just there to enjoy the park and not call attention to themselves-which may have meant not doing things that many of us "hetros" take for granted, such as hold hands, put arms around one another, etc. They did it out of respect for those who might become uncomfortable.

 

On the flip side, there were those who would come in outrageous clothes, suggestive t-shirts, pink tulle skirts, etc... and it was kinda like the old adage of "a few bad apples spoil the bunch".

 

I understand this is a hot button topic, but the parks who now sponsor an "organized" event are more than likely doing so as a result of the pressure from the straight community to make public the presence of the gay community at the park, thus giving them the choice whether or not they wish to "mingle". That was always the cry we heard... "YOU SHOULD HAVE A SIGN OUT"... give me a break. If you can't post a sign that says "Black people at the park today" or "Rednecks in the park today"

or "Squirrels in the park today" (that was for Elissa), then you can't post a sign saying "Gay people in the park today".

 

PKI finally got so sick of it all they started selling out the first Sunday of June to a major local corporation for their event, thus eliminating the "event".

 

Shari "It was fun the year the park gave us all red polo shirts...the next season we all wore them on gay day and took turns walking the park with each other... I walked with my sister" Shoufler

[DenDen]

I think the "World's Gayest Park" goes to...

http://rcdb.com/pd942.htm

 

LMAO! That's just sick!

 

But in all seriousness, many of these parks DO take official participation of these events, though for the most part, in subtle ways. Disney does mandate the event, ie. they took a stance on the issue against the christian coalition and won, and do offer benefits to same-sex partners. (Not to mention, airing the 1st gay sitcom ever!) Universal is quite smart in trying to get on the bandwagon. If it's one thing we "queers" like to do, it's shopping! I'm guessing that the retail part of theme parks skyrockets during gay days. (Not to mention, the surrounding local economy.)

 

"YOU SHOULD HAVE A SIGN OUT"... give me a break. If you can't post a sign that says "Black people at the park today" or "Rednecks in the park today" or "Squirrels in the park today" (that was for Elissa), then you can't post a sign saying "Gay people in the park today".

Actually, Kennywood does this! African-American day, Italian day, Christian day, etc... are all posted on signs, and on their web site, and yet, they won't allow any signs, banners, etc on Gay days. How hyprocritical. (At least this was back in the early 90's, I don't know if this policy still stands...)

 

But yes, the threat of Jesus-wavers' boycotts is fearsome. Let's not forget how they drove WDW into bankruptcy and got Will and Grace kicked off the air, not to mention the suicide of Spongebob Squarepants and the Teletubbies' descent into heroin addiction and madness.

And we rainbow-waivers are so weak, Dr. Laura is the #1 show.

[Meteornotes]

We also have had complaints about 'Country Music' day

 

People should be complaining about that! It's just wrong! There should be a "death metal day" at the park for equal time...

 

Dave "still has nightmares about 'Country Music Day' at BGT" Thomas

[disneygurlz2s]

Actually, Kennywood does this! African-American day, Italian day, Christian day, etc... are all posted on signs, and on their web site, and yet, they won't allow any signs, banners, etc on Gay days. How hyprocritical.

 

Let me clarify..... If I book a group outing of X number of people through group sales for Theme Park Review, our group gets posted on the park's marquee, etc However, if we all just decide here on the forum to meet up on a given day at the park, even if there is 1000 of us, if we haven't booked through group sales, you don't get recognized. That was always-ALWAYS-the case with "gay day" at PKI. There was no "group picnic" or any group sales involved, so no special "recognition". Everyone knew it was the day that was privately organized among the gay/lesbian community, but because no one booked a "group" event, no signs could be posted.

 

Kennywood and any other park can have any kind of day they want if the group that is having the day asks for it to be recognized, but in the specific situation I am referencing (PKI when I worked there) the gay/lesbian community did not go through group sales. People just showed up. Despite this, the people who had a problem with the event wanted the park to post "warning signs", which was completely discriminatory.

 

Shari

[PhishyBrewer]

 

Kennywood and any other park can have any kind of day they want if the group that is having the day asks for it to be recognized, but in the specific situation I am referencing (PKI when I worked there) the gay/lesbian community did not go through group sales. People just showed up. .

 

Shari

 

That's the way it is at Cedar Point. CP knew what day Gay Day was, but never recognized it. And people just showed up. Still, FUN WAS HAD BY ALL!