Gay days at Dollywood
 

Am, planning a trip to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg over the Fathers day weekend. I Now understand that that weekend is Gay Days at Dollywood.
I would choose not to expose my family to an overtly gay situation. Does anyone know how this gay event would impact this area??
Thanks for any input.

"overt" as in two people not married holding hands or something?

Didn't know there was such a thing but just googled. Your family won't be "exposed" to anything different than any day in the park - other than more folks wearing red Tshirts than other days of the year. Saturday = Dollywood Sunday = Splash Country

Why pass up a situation that could stimulate a conversation about family values, alternate lifestyles, fashion choices, bigotry, etc.?

Happy Trails, good reply

Seriously, Gand, I wouldn't worry about it. The percentage of gay families attending might increase to something below 10 percent of the whole crowd (90 percent traditional families), and, as starr suggested, the `overt` behavior will most likely involve wearing a logo t-shirt and perhaps holding hands.

This could be a good opportunity for you to ease some of your fears. Your family will survive the trauma.

I cannot believe how unnecessarily unkind the majority of you who have posted to this thread are being.

It's because of these types of responses that people leave Fodor's or do not recommend Fodor's to others.

The OP asked about an overtly gay situation and wanted to know how it would impact this area, not what you thought of her opinions of gays.

gandb7, I have no idea how this event will impact the area. Just know that Dollywood is a very popular amusement park and is generally always crowded.

Iceeu2, beat me to it, but I completely agree. It would be nice if someone who has been to Dollywood on that day could answer her question rather than assuming gandb7 is anti-gay.

Due to liscensing laws, they have changed the name to Out at the Park. In past years the KKK publicly protested the red shirt people. Although I would predict it to be a funfilled family day, which is exactly its intent and what the organizers are looking for - well, you just can't predict who will show up with their soapbox. I would google to find out more info. They are expecting 5000 participants in this family day this year with the group meeting at the park and at the waterpark.

And I cannot believe how unnecessarily PREJUDICED the OP is being, OK?

And no, I don't like it and yes I will continue to be "UNKIND" to those people who are.

In past years the KKK publicly protested the red shirt people

I'm glad we've managed to get it down to a mere "protest" as opposed to what they used to do.

Funny, I have more gay friends than straight friends and didn't find anything wrong with the OP's querie. If you have ever hung out in Provincetown over the 4th of July, then you will know what overtly gay behavior is.

And even if gandb7 is "anti-gay", who is it here that's close-minded? Geez...

Well, hopefully someone who has attended will, but the OP has received at least a couple of helpful responses.

When I googled I learned this is will be the 5th year of Out At the Park and there has been very little impact or negative press. In 2005 there were 3000 participants. I was at the park a couple of weeks ago and the attendence was 16,000 and I was told that normal summer attendence was about 20,000. So, what? Maybe 1 in 5 to 1 in 7 people at the park will be wearing a red tshirt?

So, I stand by my earlier comment - other than seeing more red tshirts than usual, the OP probably won't see anything to cause concern.

I only saw one teen hetero couple "swapping spit" when I was there a couple of weeks ago. Chances are slim that the OP will see anything alarming.

One idea would be to wear red tshirts themselves and be greeted with smiles and waves throughout the day. If Dolly were to be in the park that day, I betcha she would give 'em a big ole hug.

Dukey,

what exactly is PREJUDICED about gandb7 OP? They wanted to know what to expect so they asked a question, that is what this board is for. If they do not want to expose their family to something that is their right is it not? There is nothing PREJUDICED about it! Now if they were trying to prevent it from happening that would be a different story. A little sensitive aren't we.

Gandb7,

To answer your question, this event has been going on at Disney for many years and it has become quite popular. That being said unless you are really looking for something, you probably would not notice anything different except for an overabundance of red shirts.

The majority of people going to the park that day will probably not even be aware that it is a "special" day for anyone, and you will be in the huge majority that just happen to be there that day. gandb7, BTW, I did not take your post as anti-gay. I don't care for extremely overt PDAs from ANYBODY, but that's something we can't control, and I don't think you'd have any more of that from gay couples than straight ones in a place like Dollywood!

I'm sorry but someone who is not homophobic would not ask this question.

Calling a situation 'overtly gay' is homophobic.

I'm with Dukey on this one.

If gandb7 did not have a problem, this question would have never been asked.

i2, I was addressing wtm003, not you.

My original information was valid without giving stats. The OP could google and read what I read. I based my opinion based on what I read. The OP could easily do the same.

3000 participants will not be the majority in the park that day. Even if that number were doubled, it would not be the majority in the park.

The weekend I was there, there would have easily been 1 in 7 gay visitors.

I agree with elsiemoo. Quite possibly, the OP or park goers that day would be wondering "Why all the red tshirts?"

I think my added information on Saturday will be the Dollywood day and Sunday will be Splash Country would easily help the OP decide which day to attend Dollywood that weekend - based on whether or not she wants to see lots of red tshirt.

perhaps gandb7 has small children and is not ready to answer their questions about "why is that man kissing another man?" or "why is that lady kissing another lady?"

I am not homophobic, but certainly understand the hesitation in not knowing what to expect from an advertised gay days.

Live and let live...oh, and if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

So, GoT, let me ask you this. What kind of racist am I for not wanting to expose my family to the motorcyle event in Myrtle Beach over Memorial Day weekend?

The OP was asking for input and instead got a lot of our opinions.

Amen, luv2plan!

gmoney I agree with your post

icee2, you would in no way want your family in Myrtle Beach for black bike weekend.

Why? Because it is a bunch of college age partiers who throw down not because they are black.

I still stand by my statement that gandb is homophobic.

I think the OP probably didn't realize that the phrasing of this was somewhat offensive. Using the phrase "expose my family to an overtly gay situation" implies (IMO) that this is something that they would want to protect their family from. If the OP is concerned that it will be a raucous party atmosphere (a la Cancun spring break), that's a fair question.

The query was poorly phrased.

And, I still stand by my statement that many of the responses have been "unnecessarily" unkind.

Gotravel,

How do you come to the conclusion that someone who wants to avoid a situation that they are uncomfortable with is "homophobic"???? Who are you to label someone that you know so little about. Why do gays insist on labeling anyone who is uncomfortable with their lifestyle a homophobe.

I personally could care less what people do in the privacy of their own home, but there are certain behaviors that are way too "in your face". Most gays are nice everyday average people who are enjoyable to be around. but as is in every group there is a small minority are out to prove a point and these are the ones that make others uncomfortable.

Shocking...not everybody believes that a gay lifestyle is okay.

If gandb doesn't want to expose his/her family to that type of behavoir then so be it.

Maybe he/she was foolish into thinking that the fodors community would be understanding of "alternative" lifestyles.

icu2

I have only started posting here recently but I have found that to be true many times when a poster asks a question. More opinions than input.

I agree with the if you have nothing nice to say.......

"Why do gays insist on labeling anyone who is uncomfortable with their lifestyle a homophobe."

Because that's pretty much the definition?

Here's the definition starrsville:

<i>irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals</i>

LOL Starrs...well played

Well it seems everyone has an opinion except the original poster. Perhaps we could let this thread fall until they rejoin on their true intent?

Dictionary.com's definition is different, beachbum. Which is correct?

I think a layperson would pretty much accept the one I quoted.

On the topic of definitions - I'm a bit confused on the difference between &quot;input&quot; and &quot;opinion&quot; on a public forum. Are they interchangeable? Are they not? What makes a comment an opinion and not input?

Not to split hairs, but the difference seems to matter at least to a couple of posters.

gmoney, from the OPs post:

&lt;&quot;&quot; would choose not to expose my family to an overtly gay situation.&quot;&quot;&gt;

How is that not homophobic?

But they all contain the concepts of fear and hate. By your apparent definition, anyone who disapproves of a homosexual lifestyle - for whatever reason - is a homophobe.

Interesting discussion. The sweeping generalization gmoney makes speaks volumes more than gandb7's post.

Although I appreciate where Dukey, et al. are coming from, I think there may be a rush to judgement about gandb7's motives. I would be hesitant to label someone a homophobe based on this one, short e-mail.

Maybe he or she is traveling with children (at least I hope they are if they are going to Dollywood - ; P) and are concerned about whether Gay Days at Dollywood is a party atmosphere like Southern Decadence or Mardi Gras. While that is probably not a very rational fear, it doesn't make gandb7 a homophobe.

Well, if the OP googles, they will find that this day is NOT a party type atmosphere - and the organizers are very clear about that.

If the OP wants to see a lot of folks enjoying Dollywood in red Tshirts, they can go on Saturday.

If the OP wants to avoid the red Tshirts, they can go to Dollywood on Sunday. The &quot;gays&quot; will be at Splash Country on Sunday.

Do any of you think about this when you see straight couples walk down the street (or in a park) holding hands or giving their sweetie a quick kiss?

Do you find that behavior offensive PDAs?

starrs and GoT, please answer beachbums question...

Is everybody that does not approve of a gay lifestyle a homophobe?

that sentence sounds like a 3rd grader wrote it...but you get the point.

F&amp;B, please answer my question -

Do you find it offensive when you see a straight couple walking down the street holding hands or sharing a quick kiss?