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Ten years ago, a small group of Orlando gays got the idea to organize an outing to the Magic
Kingdom at Walt Disney World as part of Gay and Lesbian Pride Week. An estimated 2,500 family
showed up on June 8, 1991, wearing bright red to recognize each other.
For Gay Day 2001 on June 2, the Orlando Sentinel estimated the gay invasion at 125,000.
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The author at "Ariel's Cove"
Officially, Disney in no way sponsors Gay Day, and claims to know nothing about it, saying only that
they do not discriminate in who they admit.
But they leave
a letter in all Disney Resort guests' rooms saying, "On Saturday, June 2, we are expecting a very
busy day at the Magic Kingdom Park...", and explaining how all the Disney World parks will be
opening early at 7:30 a.m. that day (Magic Kingdom, Disney-MGM, and Epcot exclusively for WDW
Resort guests). Unofficially, it is assumed there is at least some coordination and cooperation
between Disney and Gay Day organizers.
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A public bear hug
Conservative Christians still find the whole thing scandalous, but the Orlando Sentinel
reports, "For the most part, folks, we're talking a very tame thing. There were a lot of Gay Days
T-shirts, the occasional couple holding hands, some hugging and that's about it."
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The 50 foot plunge at Splash Mountain
While originally a one-day event at the Magic Kingdom, the festivities now span several
days, with suggested days for Animal Kingdom, Disney-MGM, and Epcot,
and have expanded to the Sea World and Universal theme parks.
Gay parties are everywhere, including Pleasure Island and Typhoon Lagoon.
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2001 shirts came with chalk and a place to write name, url, email@, or room number
The gay contingent still wears bright red, only now the organizers offer shirts just for the occasion.
And some groups sport their own unique 'costume' for the day.
Why does the 'happiest place on earth' annually become the gayest place on earth as well?
The attractions in Orlando are great fun any time of year. And you just know
many of the rides and shows were gay-designed.
But during Gay Day, gays become the majority, and there is such a feeling of community that being
out and proud is natural, even for the most closeted.
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Bears pose for straight tourist
Some gay-friendly straights come to join in the fun, and most (sadly, not all) straights, who
didn't know what they were getting themselves into, take the sea of red shirts good-naturedly.
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Pride Bear at Typhoon Lagoon
"Ok," you say, "what's this got to do with BEARS?"
Well, out of 125,000 gays and lesbians, there's a LOT of bears and bear lovers.
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Bears line up at the 'Country Bear Jamboree'
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The finale to the 'Country Bear Jamboree'
At 1:00 p.m., the bears converge on the 'Country Bear Jamboree' for the wonderfully corny
animatronic bear show.
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Bears pose with bears
Posing with a large character-costume Pooh or Br'er Bear or Baloo is a popular activity, as is wearing Pooh or
some other bear ears.
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Part of the crowd at the BOCF party
And later in the afternoon, the Bears of Central Florida
sponsors a fantastic party in a Disney Resort suite, with lots of food, beer, soft drinks and
bottled water (amazing how dehydrated you can get in the Orlando heat).
Also, the Full Moon Saloon, host bar to Bear Bust, is packed with bears during Gay Days.
But don't go to Gay Day as a bear event, it's a family affair, and there's nothing else like it.
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Sign near the Wilderness Lodge
Here's a few hints and tips to maximize your Gay Day fun:
- Disney World is not inexpensive. Between a hotel room, meals, park admission and souvenirs you
just have to have, plan to spend some money. Treat this as a major vacation.
- Stay at one of the Disney Resorts if you can (they're available at various price levels).
They're fun on their own, and you get early admission to the Magic Kingdom on Gay Day
(and guaranteed admission if you get there late, and the park is full).
- Go a day or two early and enjoy some of the other Orlando attractions, or the Kennedy Space Center.
Conversely, don't try to see everything in a day or two.
- Get to the Magic Kingdom as soon as you can (depending on how much partying you did the night
before) on Gay Day, and visit the attractions you want to see early, when lines are short, and it
isn't too hot.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Don't overdo it. Having fun can be hard work in the Florida sun.
Gay Day 2002 is Saturday, June 1. Information is already available at the Gay Day
Website.
dwc
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