Really? REALLY?

Okay, I'm going to go into this letting you know I am furious. The more I write, the more angry I become.  This is partly a vent and partly an open letter to all the holier-than-thou jackasses who think that their beliefs give them the right to trample other people.

An anti-gay Christian group is spending $7,000 to fly planes over Orlando, Fla., dragging giant banners that read, “Warning Gay Day at Disney.” The campaign is part of the group’s boycott and protest of the annual event.

Florida Family Association claims thousands of people enter the park each year during “Gay Day” only to turn around and leave when they realize gay people and same-sex couples are present. The group says it wants Disney to reschedule Gay Day at night after the park closes.

The Florida Family Association says patrons of the event wear T-shirts that “promote homosexuality” and dress in drag. The groups also charges that gay couples publicly kiss, hug and grope each other – behavior the group’s leaders believe will turn children gay if they witness it.

So let me make sure I got this.  The gay population should be forced to attend at night, dress "normal" and not in any way be who they are because a small group of people just don't believe that anything not approved by them can be okay.  The rest of the year is for the shiny Christian folks (theoretically) but a small event to acknowledge and celebrate those who are different just can't be tolerated.


Really?  It's a small damn world indeed.


Okay, kids.  I'm gonna start with the big stuff and work down.  First, those bigots sure like their queers hidden in darkness, right?  No reason we should let those weird folks enjoy a family park in the daytime.  I guess if you swish your wrists or your haircut isn't feminine enough for their standards, you should be turned away at the gates, right?  I mean, when they're not saving your souls against your will, you still gotta have the fashion police.


Second, are people still really afraid kids will "catch the gay" if they see someone out and about?  The fact that a group can treat a huge population like crap based on something that isn't even their business in the first place is amazing.  That they don't see the irony and misguided hate they are teaching their kids is criminally negligent.  On one hand they claim "thousands" are tricked into entering the park, then they say the gay crowd wears T-shirts that promote homosexuality.  I'm not sure how wearing one's opinion on a T-shirt is being sneaky, but okay.  In the meantime, what if someone finds their "Got Jesus?" or scripture T-shirts offensive?  If all beliefs are weighed equal, doesn't that mean those shirts should be removed?  If not, by what standard are they given privileges over other people?  And I suppose it's okay to let your butt crack hang out of your Daisy Dukes as long as you're straight, right?  No thanks, I'd rather my child be gay than a righteous jerk with low self-esteem who takes frustration out on people they consider "lesser" humans.


Third: do you think Jesus would rather see you wave a flag that spreads hate disguised as a "warning" or take that $7,000 and feed the needy?  Jesus preached kindness and compassion.  How many times did he rebuke followers for judging and bringing hate on others?  Even when their hearts were in the right place, the disciples continued to fail to get the welcoming message of Jesus.  If you're going to use religion as a bullying tool, at least get your freaking facts straight.  Don't forget that handy bit about removing the plank from your own eye before removing the speck from your brother's eye.  If these people held themselves to the same standards they hold others to, the world really would be a better place.


Finally: not all families come in the ideal Christian package.  Sometimes kids aren't born into a unit with a perfect mother and father.  Some families have two mothers or dads, and a park that caters to families is recognizing that.  Whether biological or adopted, kids love their parents despite their differences.  If that is so offensive, then I have a cheaper idea.  Just don't go. Anything less is going out of one's way to attack kids and their parents at a family park.  There is no logic there, just hate and oppression.  Inexcusable, petty, and shameful to boot.

If they want the gay population to be separate from those who might be uncomfortable in their presence, I have an idea.  Let's give them a special day.  Oh wait...