Gay couple asked to reverse "marriage is so gay" shirt at Dollywood

If my mentally handicapped friend wore a shirt that said "hugging is so retarted" - is that ok? Right or wrong, it's not ok (well, to me anyway).

Its satire. It's using a commonly misused phrase of something "being gay" to our own advantage. By combining the two phrases it sounds silly, which is the intention. For Gays to not be able to marry is SILLY.

xX eNeRtIa Xx said:
Should black people hide they are black? Not go out in public as who they are because they should not force the fact that they were born black on people's eyes? No. You're making a ridiculous statement.

You just compared being black to making a statement via witty T-shirt message.

You officially lose.

^I agree and understand.

It's pretty common to hear "that's gay." or "______ is so gay." To me, that is insulting.

Of course, we know the shirt is meant as a joke, backwards, to make people think. But not everyone looks at it that way.

That's why my gay shirt will just say GAY real big, no fluff or reason to get mad :) That way, I can represent and leave the political stuff and inside jokes behind.

I don't lose, Gonch. There is nothing wrong with letting the world know just who you are and how you feel. If you are not physically hurting anyone, if you are not using profanity, if you are not wearing things of an explicit nature, you should NOT have a problem.

This is America, a country of freedom of expression. There was nothing wrong with this message of expression.

And I was not comparing being black to the statement on the T-Shirt. I was saying, NO ONE should have to hide who they are to satisfy others. You should love yourself, and not worry about what others think of you. This particular situation affected this couple and their perception of the amusement parks viewpoints.

I do not lose, you just cannot read, or are ignorant, one of the two. Judging from times I've met you in the past, I'm guessing ignorance. Ignorance is a part of hate. Hate is the root of evil. This T-Shirt was expressing a message of love. Im not going to sit here all night and argue with you because I know in my heart what is right and what is wrong. I dont expect everyone to agree with me, but I do expect you to tolerate gays seeking equality just as the world has had to with black people in the past.

I am going to wear that T-Shirt to every park I go to from now on. You're obviously missing the point that this is all part of a strategic movement by the LGBT community to seek acceptance and tolerance from the world. The more people that wear these shirts the better. I don't care how many heads are turned, the more the better. Not everyone is going to agree, however, it doesn't mean you let haters bring you down and stop you. That is why gay rights have not progressed much until these last several years, because people are becoming brave, using their civil rights to speak out against those who spread hate in the world.

xX eNeRtIa Xx said:
Should black people hide they are black? Not go out in public as who they are because they should not force the fact that they were born black on people's eyes? No. You're making a ridiculous statement.

No, he's not. He's right. I had this exact conversation with my friend the other day. He's gay, but that's just part of who he is. He doesn't let that define him, just like I don't let being straight define me.

I've never seen a black person wearing a "Marriage is so black" shirt. Point is, we're all equal, and we're all human beings and we've all got things that make us who we are, but shouldn't define us.

It wont define us once there is full equality. Until that point, its going to be something that is pushed for awareness. Plain and simple.

xX eNeRtIa Xx said:
It wont define us once there is full equality. Until that point, its going to be something that is pushed for awareness. Plain and simple.

I suppose, but I don't see it that way. I guess, because in my eyes, you are equal.

The problem is the people that are intolerant or offended, see being gay as being about sex, and only about sex. They don't realize that it's just a regular part of being human, you just happen to like your same sex. To me, being in love and/or being happy is all about just that and nothing more.

And we weren't born wearing t-shirts either. ;)

I've got this on a shirt, wonder if that'd stir up the hornets nest there?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:God-kills-kitten.jpg

birdhombre said:
And we weren't born wearing t-shirts either. ;)

Speak for yourself. I came out sportin' a sleek coaster t-shirt, complete with gravy stains.

And that Epcot tattoo is just a birthmark, right?

Right. Exactly.

^Do you really have an Epcot tattoo, Josh?

I have to admit, my brand new Coasting for Kids tee already has a stain from Skyline Chili gravy/juice.

Yes, I have the Epcot circle logo on my leg, and Spaceship Earth incorporated into the huge one on my upper arm/shoulder.

It's controversial, and could cause some kind of problem between guests in the park. I have no problem with them asking the girl to turn inside out. The "family friendly" phrasing was probably a mistake.

Mentioning any kind of sexual content is not really appropriate in an amusement park setting though. I say, being gay isn't all about sex though. Some people may not see it that way, so that's where the controversy comes in.

Lord Gonchar said:

I don't think the point is whether is was anti- or pro- gay, but rather that it touched the subject at all. My guess is anything considered 'controversial' would be best left outside the gate.

Lord Gonchar said:

I'd expect to be asked to turn my shirt inside out if it said, "Marriage is so hetero"
I still don't think it's a 'gay' thing per se, but rather a "I feel the need to publicly display my sexual preference" thing.
I can understand a park shying away from that.

If I wanted to spend more time on this topic, I would be reiterating Gonch's idea on the subject. This topic is so gay. :)

Why do you feel the need to define yourself as Gay (not that there's anything wrong with that) by wearing a T shirt at an amusement park? Why not define yourself as a fun loving person enjoying yourself for the day?

People are always saying, "Don't define me by your labels" while feeling the need to do that themselves.

xX eNeRtIa Xx said:
I am going to wear that T-Shirt to every park I go to from now on. You're obviously missing the point that this is all part of a strategic movement by the LGBT community to seek acceptance and tolerance from the world. The more people that wear these shirts the better. I don't care how many heads are turned, the more the better. Not everyone is going to agree, however, it doesn't mean you let haters bring you down and stop you. That is why gay rights have not progressed much until these last several years, because people are becoming brave, using their civil rights to speak out against those who spread hate in the world.

I admire your conviction - and I once thought a lot like you did. But - I do take issue with your last line here. If you were not on the front lines of the Stonewall rebellion, I don't think you can make that statement. People died so you could wear that shirt - and in many countries are still persecuted and murdered for being who they are.

This topic has meandered a bit, and I don't want to continue to throw gas on the fire, but I had to say that.

xX eNeRtIa Xx said:
I was saying, NO ONE should have to hide who they are to satisfy others.

So you're only being who you are if you wear a T-shirt proclaiming it?

Being gay sounds hard.

I do not lose, you just cannot read, or are ignorant, one of the two. Judging from times I've met you in the past, I'm guessing ignorance.

Wow.

Ignorance is a part of hate. Hate is the root of evil. This T-Shirt was expressing a message of love.

So I'm evil because I don't think it takes a T-shirt to define a person?

Keep going. :)

Im not going to sit here all night and argue with you because I know in my heart what is right and what is wrong. I dont expect everyone to agree with me, but I do expect you to tolerate gays seeking equality just as the world has had to with black people in the past.

I know what's right and wrong too. There's nothing wrong with being gay. Nothing at all.

If the best you can do to further the cause is wear funny t-shirts, then you have a hell of a hill ahead of you to climb.

I am going to wear that T-Shirt to every park I go to from now on.

Good. Just be sure not to go to Dollywood, at least. :)

You're obviously missing the point that this is all part of a strategic movement by the LGBT community to seek acceptance and tolerance from the world.

I guess I am then. Not sure how many of the world's great social movements started with a good T-shirt campaign.

The more people that wear these shirts the better. I don't care how many heads are turned, the more the better.

I agree. 100%. Let's all wear t-shirts that say marriage is gay.

Not everyone is going to agree, however, it doesn't mean you let haters bring you down and stop you. That is why gay rights have not progressed much until these last several years, because people are becoming brave, using their civil rights to speak out against those who spread hate in the world.

Via T-shirt, of course.

Funny that you mention intolerance and ignorance because your handling of my comment was full of it. No one (here at least) is shocked or offended that you're gay. No one cares. Hell, more power to you. But don't let being gay get in the way of proper social decorum.

If I wore a shirt that said "Marriage Is So Gay" to the park - they'd have made me turn it inside out too. That's why this isn't discrimination or hate. It's a dress code. Get over yourself.