Oh, Canada, what have you done? You were supposed to be better than this: an employee at Canadian amusement park Wonderland ordered a gay couple to stop hugging each other “because this is a family park.” What’s worse, the park has reportedly refused to institute sufficient sensitivity training — which probably explains why homophobic harassment is a problem there.
To their credit, Wonderland management did eventually apologize. They also said that they offer “human rights training.” What does that mean? Well, nobody seems to know, because the park won’t say any more.
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As a result, PFLAG Canada has cancelled the next Gay Days outing. They’ve held it annually at Wonderland for nearly a decade, but with the park unable to commit to specific steps to prevent anti-gay behavior, there’s just no way to give them your business in good conscience.
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After all, how hard would it be for them to say, “oh, yes, we include sexual orientation in our diversity training programs; and here is how employees are disciplined if they violate inclusion policies.” Or, if they do not actually do that, they could still at least say, “whoops, we should have been doing more, but this has exposed a problem in our training process and now we’re going to work with PFLAG to improve it.”
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But nope. Nothing like that. Not a word. It seems as though they just don’t care.
Well, Canadian gays, you know what to do: move the party someplace where you’re welcome. Shouldn’t be too hard.
Brian
If they’re just hugging, it’s hardly going to frighten the horses. But I can see how some might be offended, women in particular.
Women tend to find male bonding threatening.
Marky
More than a decade wasn’t it? Was it always PFlag that did it? I’m wondering that because it did NOT seem like a family event. More like a mini-pride inside the concert area.
Marky
Other thing I forgot to mention. Most of the staff is either an ally or gay themselves on gay day because half of the staff calls in sick.
Tim
Can you say…Orlando?
Thad
I wonder if two men beating each other up would be condoned at Wonderland.
Baba Booey Fafa Fooey
Canada is not that great.
balehead
Funny how the Article doesn’t mention this happened just outside Toronto….Hmmmm
scotshot
@Marky: If parents are out for an evening with their gay children, doesn’t that qualify as family.
dre23222
Two men hugging on a day themed “gay day”. I’m so confused as to why the guy would think that was wrong in that day. Can’t buy intelligence or common sense.
seaguy
Obviously someone needs to school them on what the term “family” means to gays. If someone can’t handle men hugging they are free to leave the park. Now if they had been making out that’s a tacky PDA, gay or straight, get a room!
seaguy
@dre23222: they hugging incident didn’t occur on gay day but it caused gay day to be canceled.
seaguy
@Marky: sounds like sensitivity training needs to be a mandatory day long class. I doubt those calling in sick are doing so, to then attend gay day off the clock.
silveroracle
Blacklist the theme park and have the event some where else.
This company should hang its head in shame.
Will L
I think it depends on the extent of hugging involved. Giving a brief hug is one thing; but if they were told to stop, that was probably not the case. In a mixed, family environment, it’s best to keep affection understated. Children don’t need to see that.
Captain Obvious
I’ve heard from actual Canadians and people who fell for the lie that Canada is so progressive and peaceful that it’s all a bunch of crap. There’s plenty of homophobia and r@cism to go around there. You can get attacked there too just like anywhere else.
There’s no fantasy land where being “different” won’t make you an easy target.
stranded
I’m a prude, especially when it comes to things involving family events. Light PDA doesn’t bother me, holding hands, a quick kiss, and even extended hugging is ok, but some people think it’s ok to full on make out and grind and call it “hugging.”