Marriage is So Gay

Marriage is So Gay, originally uploaded by Stephanie A. Richer.

For the record:  the t-shirts above, in the context of a demonstration supporting gay marriage, are entirely approriate

Have to recycle a picture I took a couple of years ago outside the old courthouse in Santa Ana, California.

"I was in disbelief. I didn't think it was the policy of Dollywood to discriminate against the LGBT community," said Odom. 

She said the front gate host asked her to take off her t-shirt and turn it inside out.  

"I looked at him and I was like really? He said 'This is a family park,'" she said.  

Her t-shirt read "Marriage is so Gay." The shirt raises money for an organization that promotes gay marriage.  

"I was curious what he found offensive about the shirt. If it was the fact that it had the word gay on it or that it was in conjunction with the word marriage," she said.

Ms. Odom, don't play dumb, you knew exactly why he asked you to turn the t-shirt inside out.  And yes, it was because it had the word gay on it in conjunction with the word marriage.

And furthermore, it was not a t-shirt you had grabbed and put on without thought.  You specifically decided to wear that t-shirt to promote an agenda. 

But . . . you were not denied entry.  You and your partner, and your friend's kids whom you garciously treated to an outing at Dollywood's Splash Country, were allowed entry after you turned your t-shirt inside out.  And I bet you had a wonderful time.

But since you could not have your other planned outing, so to speak . . .

[S]he went through an organization called the Campaign for Southern Equality who advised writing a letter. 

She hopes that this will lead to changes in Dollywood policies. In the letter she suggested, "To ensure that your customers are not treated this way in the future, I would like to see Dollywood: implement policies that are inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people; conduct staff sensitivity training; and issue a public statement indicating that the park is inclusive of all families."

Inclusive of all families.  Does it concern you that your t-shirt - worn at an amusement park in the middle of the Bible Belt - would be offensive to most Christian families there?

Would you wear it if Dollywood was in Dearborn, Michigan?

I'd be happy if Dollywood said NO to all t-shirts with a message, including ones that are political, religious, geographical, cultural, advertising, etc.  All I ask is that you make sure the t-shirt fits - no chichis or moobs hanging out.

Meanwhile, in ultra-liberal San Francisco . . .

An eyewitness tells the seasoned columnist that she saw "a young lesbian couple" arguing with a security guard at the Contemporary Jewish Museum Sunday afternoon.

The security guard allegedly told the couple that they were not allowed to hold hands in the museum. The couple demanded to see someone in charge at the museum and a small crowd began to gather around them as the argument ensued.

But it's a contemporary Jewish museum!

Actually, I find the hand holding less offensive, because with the t-shirt, you're trying to sell me something.  And I don't like ideological salesmen (or saleswomen) of any type.