I am disappointed in me. This story involves lesbians, intolerance, bad hair, cletus and a water park. And I cannot come up with a witty title.*
At Dollywood’s Splash Country, a lesbian was asked to turn her shirt that said “marriage is so gay” around. She was told by the gate attendant, an employee, to do so. Seems the statement on her shirt was “objectionable”. Frankly, that woman’s haircut is far more objectionable than her shirt. But that’s a separate issue.
Now, I’ve been to Splash Country a time or two and, let me tell you, if the most objectionable thing I saw there was that shirt, I’d be surprised. At Splash Country, I’ve seen every variation of “I’m with stupid” and “bikini inspector” T-shirts. An inordinate amount of body hair. I’ve seen a lot of anecdotal data supporting Tennessee’s obesity rate. I’ve seen all manner of misbehaved kids and all manner of Cletus saying “hey, ya’all, watch this!” It’s Sevierville, so expect a Confederate flag or 30.
I wouldn’t even notice a couple of lesbians enjoying a water park. I’d notice their hairstyles.
I also notice the KNS doesn’t allow comments on the story.
* No really. Not sure what happened. I mean, damn, that’s my thing.
July 26th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Your title is so gay.
July 26th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
What’s wrong with saying that Marriage is Happy?
Other than that many aren’t.
Now, if it had said marriage is homosexual…….. wait, that makes no sense either…..
July 26th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
Meh, Private property means private definition of offensive.
If it had been a “Fisting for Jesus” shirt, then I can pretty safely assume that the majority would find it offensive in a family park.
The shirt makes mention of an sexual orientation directly and indirectly makes mention of a sex act. I can see how that would offend some.
Me? Heck, I still think lesbians are cool.
July 26th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Uhm, really? Must be some sex act I’ve never heard of.
July 26th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
The tee shirt is showing intolerance.. Even if a dyke is wearing it… Do you guys seriously think if a black man wore a shirt there saying marriage is a N/gger than that would be acceptable?
July 26th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
“indirectly makes mention of a sex act.”
Huh? I thought the word “marriage” meant you no longer had sex?….
July 26th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
They picked teh picture that made them 2 look craziest, hairstyles or not.
July 26th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
wow, people are so uptight.
July 26th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
lol, what sex act are you talking about, Jim? i’d love to know.
July 26th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
also, lol@the intolerance suggestion. no, it isn’t. people who think it’s an intolerant shirt have their panties in a wad.
July 26th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Hey now – I’ve had that haircut.
July 26th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
I don’t understand the whole ‘butch’ lesbian thing. I mean, if you’re attracted to women, aren’t they supposed to look like women?
July 26th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Hmm… Marriage is so gay… Nope, I don’t find that offensive at all. Quite frankly, I don’t understand why ANYONE would find it offensive. I could see someone who was against gay marriage SAYING that they find it offensive just so that they have an excuse to descriminate. Just a little. Biggots can be so petty. Please, if anyone can see how someone would find this shirt actually offensive, please explain it so that I can understand.
I wonder if they would make me turn inside out my shirt that says: HOMOPYRONECRONYMPHOBESTIAC
s
July 26th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
You know guys, it could be the water park doent want to deal with it, although by not dealing with it, they are dealing with it.
No winning.
July 26th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
I have been to Splash Country but it has been a few years. Too small and too crowded, especially on a hot day which there are not too many of in the mountains.
The lady protest too much, me thinks. Hamlet
She is bitching about nothing. Sid
Private property, private control. Dollywood is tailoring its environment for maximum sales potential. That is all. She got her feelings hurt. Understandable, but she had to expect engagement on some level when she put the shirt on. Next story.
July 26th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
There’s an old saying: “Don’t make a Federal Case about it.” Something tells me that these 2 are just waiting on their Lawyers to find the Right Politically Correct Court to file their Civil Rights Violation charges in. Then they’ll settle out of court for a half million or so.
Hey, how do you think Jesse Jackson’s “Operation Push” Shake Down Org works? Same Principle.
July 26th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
“Fisting for Jesus”
Hahahahaha! Now I’ve seen everything….though it does make people cry out, “Oh,God….oh, God!….”
I refuse to do a search to see if such a shirt actually exists….
July 26th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
You’ll think of a good subject later tonight in bed.
July 26th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
“Lesbian sore after being turned down from getting wet.”
July 26th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
It is funny how many people – including our dear host, Uncle – are hung up on hairstyles. As if women who don’t care to try to look attractive to men (and it is only the men) are less women somehow. Get over it. We aren’t trying to look attractive to you. (You are not the center of the universe-hate to break it to you.)
But then it shouldn’t surprise me that (some) men are shallow enough to believe it is all about looks. No wonder half of hetero-marriages end in divorce.
And re: “private property, private control”… would you be throwing out that line if all Christan messages (or ALL religious messages) were banned? Or would you say “private property… But I’m not going back until they straighten this out.”
Of course discriminating against Christians in a public accommodation is illegal; discriminating against gays and lesbians is not. (That is one of those “special rights” we want, but still don’t have.)
July 26th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
I’m not hung up. It’s just not a very, uhm, good look.
July 26th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Of course discriminating against Christians in a public accommodation is illegal; discriminating against gays and lesbians is not. (That is one of those “special rights” we want, but still don’t have.)
Actually they weren’t discriminating against Gays. They would have allowed the women in. All they wanted was a shirt changed. And yes, private property should be allowed to restrict Christian messages. Private property is just that.
July 26th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Zendo Deb,
Switch to decaf. My statement means exactly what it means. On private property, the owner is allowed to decide what messages are allowed. If there is money in offending Christians, then there is a business owner offering it.
I thought South Park was hilarious when it first aired. But, I did not like the character depiction of Jesus. So, I just stopped watching it. I did not call the FCC. I did not call my cable provider. I did not write a letter. I just switched the channel. There are other water parks. I actually prefer the Ocoee River. The women were allowed to enter the park and enjoy the water. They were just asked to turn the t-shirt inside out.
Again, the management of Splash Country is making a business decision. That is there responsibility. If they choose poorly, they go out of business.
They are not gaining my support by crying over a damn t-shirt
July 26th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Turn it around – are you okay with a tee shirt that says “lesbians are mentally ill”?
No?
Stuff it, then.
July 26th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Hey! Not all of us are hung up on hair styles… 😉
I think the bigger issue here is Unc goes to Dollywood?!?!?!?!
July 26th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Hmmm, it wasn’t so long ago that I was inundated by a PSA starring Wanda Sykes telling me that it wasn’t OK to use the phrase “that’s so gay”.
So apparently such a phrase is indeed offensive.
Also apparently such a phrase is not offensive when used by a protected party.
Apparently I have to add the ‘G’ word to the same list that contains the ‘N’ word in that I can’t use them but the various ‘G’s and ‘N’s are allowed to.
July 26th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Of course discriminating against Christians in a public accommodation is illegal; discriminating against gays and lesbians is not.
Fail. You must not read a lot of news. Christians get their share of bullshit, too.
And stupid hair is stupid hair. It crosses all gender and racial lines.
July 26th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
“But then it shouldn’t surprise me that (some) men are shallow enough to believe it is all about looks. No wonder half of hetero-marriages end in divorce.”
No, but that is genetically what spurs us to our ladies, right?
And in my experience, when someone looks 1/2 past crazy, they probably are.
July 26th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
And duck, don’t forget the “F” word. There’s a Steelers player that’s going to have to give the NFL a wheelbarrow full of cash for saying that particular word.
July 26th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
@ Zendo Deb
You assume that people are commenting on their hairstyle because they are gay or female. Considering that the one on the right looks like a rabid chinchilla gnawed her hair off in the dark and the one on the left looks like classic Appalachia redneck mullet, this is decidedly not the case. Seriously, I could give both of them better looking haircuts with my pocketknife.
July 26th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
Most people are OK with homosexuals. Nobody likes an attention whore. You’d think gays would have figured that out by now…
July 26th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Sid,
The Ocoee does rock! Just took a raft ride. This time I didn’t fall out! Woo hoo!
July 26th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
From the actual story;
“Our whole deal is about marriage equality and being treated equally,” said Tipton. “It’s not that we’re trying to cause a big stir.”
GTFOOH! That’s exactly what you were trying to do. Don’t start sh!t and then cry when it turns out exactly the way you wanted it to turn out. She wore that shirt to get a response. Well. She got one.
These folk need to grow the heck up.
Also Unc. Shame about the headline. I feel a little let down.
July 26th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
One of the ladies in question apparently works for the local ABC affiliate, who have been pushing the story relentlessly. I smell a setup. “Attention whore”? Probably.
July 26th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
“Damned Dike Failure Ruins Waterpark”
“Lesbian asked to remove wet T-shirt; Bill Clinton not involved, experts say”
July 26th, 2011 at 11:57 pm
“I’m not hung up. It’s just not a very, uhm, good look.” Uncle, you are hung up. She wears her hair shorter than you do. (Or shorter than you did when you were younger.)
Because it is men who are attracted to women with long hair and she doesn’t give a damn what men are attracted to.
July 27th, 2011 at 12:03 am
“Most people are OK with homosexuals. Nobody likes an attention whore. You’d think gays would have figured that out by now…”
Funny how there have been a rash of very violent gay-bashing events up and down the east coast, and very little word has snaked over into the “straight” press. Because 5 guys, 2 baseball bats and a man coming out of a gay bar just doesn’t add up to news, when we can obsess about Casey Anthony, dead, drug-addicted singers, or baseball.
Most people don’t mind gays as long as they “don’t flaunt it.” Which means, no photos on your desk at work. (Not like straights who have pictures of ceremonies and partners and whatever) Don’t tell me how you spent your weekend if anything gay happened. No public displays of affection – not even holding hands with your loved-one.
Because if you do any of this, one of the very-large minority of people who DO object to gays and lesbians, will object violently.
July 27th, 2011 at 12:06 am
To complete my other last thought… “she doesn’t give a damn what men are attracted to.” And bugs the heck out of you.
When you see a bearded man, do you think “that isn’t a very good look?” (Straight women – almost universally – hate facial hair, but men still wear it.)
Or do you focus on looks – and hair – only with women, as you judge how attractive they are? Would you be more attracted to her if she had long hair? Do you think she cares?
July 27th, 2011 at 4:09 am
Zendo, I’m typing this with the best intentions so please read it carefully.
Opinions are free to be held. Opinions may be expressed, any of them, unless you’re bound by someone else’s property rights.
The waterpark employee banned a certain expression. I don’t know if it was a good idea, but it was his right. Some people over here expressed an opinion concerning the women in questions appearance. Such is their right.
And you are complaining about it, which is your right. I don’t know if what you’re doing is a good idea, but as long as uncle doesn’t tell you to shut up, you can, and I certainly won’t tell you to shut up, no matter how I feel about any of that.
On the other hand, if you’d like to raise your blood pressure, here are some equal oppertunity people to get angry with.
July 27th, 2011 at 8:58 am
“Because it is men who are attracted to women with long hair”
You’ve just sterotyped all Lesbians! Congratulations, have a beer!
July 27th, 2011 at 9:06 am
For this to be a discriminatory act against gays, it would have to be true that a straight person wearing that same exact shirt would NOT be asked to turn it inside out.
I suspect that anyone, even a child, wearing that shirt would have gotten the same treatment, therefore, there is no discrimination against a person.
Did the “offending” Dollywood worker say, “Hey, are you lesbians? If so, you must change the shirt”?
Now it may be discriminatory against a shirt, but anyone who would choose not to wear such a shirt would be discriminating against it too, wouldn’t they? Does that mean we all have to wear a shirt like that even if we don’t want to in the interest of not offending folks who like to wear shirts promoting Gaity?
Lastly, I make fun of a friend of mine with a rat tail haircut all the time. I don’t think he is gay. If he is, do I have to stop?
July 27th, 2011 at 9:14 am
The only hang up here is that you’re obsessed with what others are hung up on. To the point of being, sexist, even.
My issue with her hair is that it looks silly. It’s scraggly, odd lengths, and unclean looking. If she worked anywhere where my interaction with her was more than “yeah, I want fries with that” i’d wonder about hiring standards.
July 27th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Hmm, I sort of think the bull dyke look is attractive, in a rather kinky sort of fashion. I say more power to them.
Does that make me even more of a sexist pig than if I thought they were ugly because of their hair?
Jay G – the Countertop Family has plans to visit Dollywood this winter on our annual Christmas migration south.
Thunderhead!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2MCePgndRc&playnext=1&list=PL30011B2C318A27E4
The Tennessee Tornado!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgqQHK41lNc&feature=related
As for private property – well, its private property. I don’t get too caught up on what rules people impose on their property. But big props go to these ladies for having the courage, self confidence, and good sense to put the children’s interest first and hold off on lodging their complaint until after they completed their visit.
July 27th, 2011 at 10:51 am
As Kipling noted,
There are nine and sixty ways
Of constructing tribal lays
And every single one of them is right.
Works for haircuts, too. I will admit to disliking certain haircuts, and certain ways of constructing tribal lays. But in most cases, this depends on the tribe you claim membership in.
What REALLY annoys me is moving word meanings around. This is the third generally-accepted definition of “gay” I’ve seen in my life. But if I got used to being a ‘freak’ during the hippie era, I suppose I’ll get used to this.