wdwdreaming...First of all..."where do they stay?" Umm everywhere. They are everywhere. Senate houses, classrooms, churches, synagogues, executives...The red t-shirts just make them easier to spot on that day. LOL
Mooooobooks...great sentiments! One problem, there are many ostriches in society who choose not to embrace diversity...or things foreign to them...if they cannot handle it, how are they supposed to explain it to their children? If it makes someone that uncomfortable, you should not go, because the worst part would be a parents' discomfort and uneasiness translating to a bad trip for the children. If a person is unable to be open at home, they won't be able to on vacation either. The saddest part is that it could open some great dialogue between parents and children.
This debate reminds me of an evening last spring. I had gone with my husband and son to NYC to visit a friend working at the car show. After her shift, we all headed downtown for Thai food in Greenwich Village. Keep in mind, it was a Saturday night at about 9 p.m. Many of you are thinking I should be tarred and feathered for bringing a 12 year old boy to the Village. Let me tell you what I saw...freaks...lots of them...mohawks, piercings....and those were the straight folks. Then I saw gay people, tall, short, man, woman...all colors and shapes.
As we were lost on a corner looking for our restaurant, I walked into a store to get directions...my son was standing out front with my husband, when a couple (male) walked up to my husband and son to comment on his t-shirt (I believe it said "Never underestimate the stupidity of people in large groups") and they struck up a conversation...weather...what we were doing in the city, etc...when I walked out of the store, one of the guys (Paul) pulled me aside and said something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. "Ma'am, thank you for the tolerance and acceptance you have taught your son. He chatted with us as if we were no different then any other people on the street." When I responded, "you are no different...just people..." I thought he was going to cry right then and there.
That's what it boils down to folks, they are just people. What happens in their bedroom is no more my business then what happens in mine is their business. People who appear "normal" usually have much scarier bedroom scenarios. Look in the news at politicians, athletes, priests...
No one at Gay Days is going to be committing "acts" you'd have to explain to your children. If you live in an all caucasian town and your child sees a black woman kissing a white man...would you need to explain that? The bigger a deal you make it, the bigger a deal it will be.
I have experienced more tolerance and joy for diversity at Gay Days then at any other time. Enjoy the warmth!
OK I promise, no more soapbox...