UPDATE! A clarification from the organizers of Come Out With Pride:
Other media have picked up this story, and are reporting that this is the actual kick-off to Come Out With Pride Week. That is false. This event has not been sanctioned by the board of the MBA or the Come Out With Pride organizing committee. It is being organized completely independently of the official schedule of Come Out With Pride, and there is no relationship between the October 6 event and the Come Out With Pride Events Schedule. Come Out With Pride’s official kick-off event is the Hero’s Ball at the History Center on Thurs., Oct. 8.
Since the inception of Gay Day at the Magic Kingdom nearly 20 years ago, GLBTs around the world have created their own unique gatherings at theme parks around the world. In that spirit a similar LGBT gathering at a local theme park is currently being organized, though unlike the original, this Gay Day carries with it a political agenda.
Members of the gay and lesbian community and our supporters are encouraged to visit Orlando’s The Holy Land Experience on Tuesday, Oct. 6, during the park’s state-mandated free admission day. The gathering would also unofficially kick off this year’s Pride week in Central Florida.
The Florida State Legislation passed a law in 2006 declaring Trinity Broadcasting Network’s The Holy Land Experience a religious organization, saving it about $300,000 in property taxes each year. In order to keep its tax-exempt status – after a court challenge by the Orange County Property Appraiser – Holy Land must offer a non-restrictive free admission day once a year. Previous years’ free days have taken place in November and February; this year’s free day on Tuesday, Oct. 6 during Come Out With Pride week should be seen as an open invitation to the GLBT community.
The park’s day of obligation could be a perfect opportunity to make it a day of tolerance as well. There are few gay events where members of the religious right aren’t somewhere to be found, disrupting those celebrations with signs and shouts of hatred. Perhaps our pleas for equality could be better heard on “their” territory. Holy Land’s mission statement, in part, says the park is designed “to educate believers and present the gospel of Jesus Christ.” What better place could there be for those who are most often against us to see our – and Jesus’ – pleas for tolerance?
The park hasn’t actively advertised the free day because park officials have said they don’t want to create an uncontrollable situation with wider advertising. By no means should attendees seek to disrupt the park’s daily activities; instead participants should hope that a message of equality will be accepted in a place where tolerance and acceptance of all is said to be preached.
Details for the day are still being determined – keep checking Watermark Online for details as they are finalized. Note: like the original theme park Gay Day, LGBT guests are encouraged to wear red.
