Use $2 Bills
Please note that this information is rather out of date, though represents why we push so much that you use at least some $2 bills wherever you spend cash during Gay Day Orlando. We'll get this section updated with more current information soon, in the meantime enjoy the little visit into the past!
What's Going On
Operation Rescue and the American Family Association are organizing
a campaign of hatred towards gay men and lesbians by targeting gay-friendly companies for
active protests. The American Family Association has said "Our goal is to take back
the territory the enemy has gained." According to Operation Rescue, "We will be
confronting the enemy at every gate where he is building strongholds."
From May 31 through June 7, 1998 these organizations seek to picket Disney Stores and invade Walt Disney World to "rescue those ensnared by the homosexual life style." They are encouraging members to make up signs that read "No Mouse At My House", "Choose Jesus Over Mickey" and "Disney Promotes Homosexuality." They plan to attempt to make this a major media event.
This sort of behavior-- the preaching of open hatred, intruding upon the privacy of an individual or family-- is absolutely inappropriate in front of children, and has no place at Walt Disney World theme parks. It is reprehensible that these organizations would make such plans.
American Family Association has recently issued an action alert to their members informing them of these plans and urging those people who cannot attend to call or write. This is apparently with the expectation they will not be able to turn out sufficient numbers! We can have an overwhelming impact on media coverage of this action by turning out strongly wherever possible!
Operation Rescue has arranged for hotel accommodations at Quality Inn Maingate, 4156 W. Vine St., Kissimmee, FL 34741. That's just a single hotel amidst hundreds across the Orlando area which are being booked by Gay Day visitors. Another sign of an expected small turnout for their protest. We suggest if you happen to have made plans to stay at this hotel that you consider the atmosphere you will be surrounded by and make adjustments to your plans accordingly.
Whatever your opinion on the highly controversial issue of abortion rights, one must wonder what purpose active involvement against Gay Day at Disney is served by Operation Rescue's announced agenda. Is this organization looking for a way to create a fundraising opportunity amongst their anti-gay membership? It seems to serve only to take away from their stated original purpose.
FLASH UPDATE!
As of May 19, 1998, the Operation Rescue web site is showing a small but significant change in their plans. The addition of "/or" to "street activities each afternoon at Disney and/or Barnes and Noble." Is this perhaps a tacit admission that the group cannot muster enough support for a showing at Walt Disney World as they originally planned? Certainly a small group of people in front of a single storefront makes a more significant impression than being lost amidst crowds of tens of thousands of people supporting the Walt Disney Co. and their pro-family approach to business.
What You Can Do
On Saturday, June 6, 1998, we will fill Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and Disney Stores across the United States. We will prove that family friendly policies are good business. We will show that if a corporation stands for justice we will stand with them.
Demonstrate your support for the Walt Disney Company's willingness to stand up to the reprehensible behavior of Operation Rescue, American Family Association, and individuals who would intrude on our right as gay men and lesbians to enjoy the same rights and privileges they would hold for themselves exclusively.
It is important for Disney to know where their support comes from. To that
end, we ask you to plan in advance for this and go to your bank and obtain $2 bills for
your purchase.
If you can't get $2 bills (or you run out of them!), mark the money you spend at Disney, including checks and credit card slips, with "Stand Our Ground" so Disney will know where that money came from.
Stand Our Ground
If you can be at a Disney Store location, we ask that you make a purchase, however small. If you can be at Walt Disney World, we ask that you make all your purchases in this manner.
Across the United States, at the end of the day, the Walt Disney Company will be directly counting your support!
The Federal Reserve will provide your bank with $2 bills upon request. If they do not have any on hand, ask them to order some for you. They will do so!
Register Your Support
If you would like to participate in Stand Our Ground at a Disney Store location, please send an email including which Disney Store you will be at and the number of people who will participate to: alana@net1plus.com or write to Stand Our Ground, P.O. Box 872, Townsend, MA 01569 USA.
In just two months, more than 5,000 people across the United States, Canada and 8 other countries have registered their intention to participate in this "anti-protest," and we are close to covering every Disney Store in the United States. You can read more about it at the Stand Our Ground web site.
If you will be at Walt Disney World, there is no need to register. Just come prepared!
What If I Don't Have A Local Disney Store?
One of our participants, who lives in rural Alaska, solved this is a unique way. On June 6, she will place an order through the Disney Store Online and have it sent to a local Woman's shelter -- with "SOG" listed a donor.
This Is Not A Protest
If you are confronted by a protester at Walt Disney World, walk away and notify a Disney cast member at once. Security will deal directly with the matter. At the Disney Stores there will be many children. Lets avoid confrontation that may frighten them.
Donate Disney Items
If you have no need for Disney items many hospitals, clinics or shelters are in need of children's clothing, toys and stuffed animals. Please consider donating some of these purchases.
Thank You
Thank you for your continued support!
