posted on January 9, 2004 05:39:32 AM new
I don't see anything "family" about being gay - I think it is sending the wrong message to children that this type of lifestyle is normal and common-practice, and it's neither...
R Family Vacations, Founded by Rosie O'Donnell and Her Partner With Gay Travel Entrepreneur Gregg Kaminsky, Gears Up for the First Ever Gay and Lesbian Family Cruise
Thursday January 8, 1:23 pm ET
Brand New Norwegian Dawn Luxury Cruise Liner Sets Sail From New York City July 11, 2004
NEW YORK, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosie O'Donnell, along with her partner Kelli O'Donnell and former Atlantis travel director Gregg Kaminsky, are the principals of R Family Vacations, the first travel company devoted to gay and lesbian family vacations. R Family Vacations inaugural trip will be a weeklong cruise on the brand new luxury cruise liner, the Norwegian Dawn. Departing from New York City on July 11th 2004, ports of call will include Port Canaveral, Key West, Nassau and Norwegian Cruise Line's own private Bahamian island.
R Family vacations fill an important niche -- it's truly the first of its kind. "We are the gay cruise with family values. We're creating vacations for gay and lesbian travelers and their family of choice -- children, parents, relatives, friends, couples, and individuals," said Kelli O'Donnell and Gregg Kaminsky. "R Family Vacations creates an instant community where everyone is welcome. You don't have to compromise your lifestyle to go on a vacation."
R Family Vacations are specially designed so children can meet other children from families just like theirs, and parents can relax and pamper themselves. "There are already some great kids' programs on the ship," Kelli adds. "For adults, there will be world-class entertainment and a lot of pampering and relaxation opportunities. Retired NFL star Esera Tuaolo will lead motivational talks, and we're working with the Family Pride Coalition to help us host discussion groups on adoption, insemination, surrogacy, and anything else that would be helpful and interesting to gay parents or gay parents to be." Rosie adds, "We welcome all families -- however you define them -- to join us on this cruise. I'm excited to share this experience with my friends and family."
"The world is changing, and cruises represent the most noticeable change for the gay and lesbian travel market," said the owner of an upscale travel agency serving the gay community in a travel industry trade publication. Gay and lesbian travelers take an average of 11% more leisure trips per year than heterosexual travelers. In the last decade, the number of cruises of any kind departing from New York City has more than tripled. Travelers today want more choices, and Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) wants the choice to be yours. That's why they have introduced "Freestyle Cruising" and "Freestyle Dining." Choose what (if any) activities or excursions to participate in, and when and where to eat from ten exclusive restaurants offering everything from Asian to French to Italian cuisine. "Charters are a very important business segment for NCL and we are pleased that R Family Vacations has chosen Norwegian Dawn for its inaugural charter cruise," said Mitch Schlesinger, vice president of North America sales for NCL. "We look forward to welcoming R Family guests onboard this historic cruise to enjoy Freestyle Cruising out of New York."
Gay rights issues are making headlines daily and gay marriage in particular is a hot-button issue in the Presidential campaign. Despite President Bush's recent pledge to support a constitutional amendment to preserve the "sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman," Barbara Walters offered another view on her annual most fascinating people of the year television special. Walters noted that the phenomenally successful Bravo television makeover show, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, has "transformed the public's acceptance of gay men."
Although Rosie claims that she never intended to become a spokesperson for gay marriage, she has become decidedly vocal on the issue when, in her recent court case, she was denied spousal privilege and compelled to provide private letters and conversations between her and Kelli as evidence. Ultimately, R Family Vacations and the gay rights movement share common goals: acceptance, and for there to be more than one definition of marriage and family.
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"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to the people who sleep under the very blanket of freedom I provide, and then question the manner in which I provide it. I'd rather you just said 'thank you' and went on your way." - A Few Good Men
posted on January 9, 2004 07:07:25 AM new
I guess I don't know what is lacking in a 'normal' cruise that would not serve a gay couple as well as a heterosexual one.
Do their kids really not meet the children of other gay couples if that is who they associate with? Seems like strain to make that a reason for a cruise.
I sort of suspect it is for the freedom to engage in a safe bit of exhibitionism. There are a few gay couples that get a charge from putting on a show of physical closeness in public to bait straight couples.
Frankly I find couples falling all over each other with slobbery kisses disgusting in straight couples as much as gay.
When people make a mess of them selves in a restaurant gropping each other in public I have been known to drop a 20 on their table and tell thm to buy some manners or a room to take it to.....
posted on January 9, 2004 07:57:48 AM new I guess I don't know what is lacking in a 'normal' cruise that would not serve a gay couple as well as a heterosexual one.
I would venture toguess that what is lacking in a "normal" cruise for gay couples is the ability to be themselves without being pointed at, having snide comments made about them, having complaints made about them, etc. etc. etc.
While I agree with you that couples of any persuasion should leave groping & deep kisses to the privacy of their homes or bedrooms, homosexual couples can't even hold hands in most places without being toldthey are "shoving their sexuality in our faces".... Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there --Clare Booth Luce
posted on January 9, 2004 10:19:29 AM new
So you think a cruise where couples are encouraged to take their family members is a guise for a grope fest? They already have singles gay cruises, I'm sure they are quite similar to hetersexual singles cruises.
A gay family cruise not only allows the couple to be relaxed and comfortable on vacation without the fear of reprisals but it gives family members (not just kids, but brother, sisters, parents etc) a chance to connect with others, be part of interacctions and hopefully see for themselves how uninformed many of the sterotypes regading the gay community are.
A family is people who love each other. Period. Blood, gender and sexual orientation have nothing to do with it.
Gravid - yes - many times children do know other children of gay couples but can you imagine what the child of a gay couple on a "regular" cruise would go thru as they heard the whispers and sneers of people with negative attitudes or were teased by other kids who have heard their parents negative comments? How much fun do you think that vacation would be for a child? For that matter, family members (who generally don't travel in circles with others in like situations) can share like experiences and support or just share time with loved ones without reprisals, whispers, etc..
It's kind of a bigot free vacation - something we hetersexuals take for granted. How shallow that some would begrudge others that are different the same opportunity.
Oh yeah - considering that gay men between in their 30's are the among highest earning demographics in the US today with the largest disposable income - it's also good business
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If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
[ edited by fenix03 on Jan 9, 2004 10:22 AM ]
posted on January 9, 2004 10:49:35 AM new
Many years ago I found Rosie somewhat entertaining and somewhat likeable though I didn't watch her show that often. Then she became more and more obnoxious to me and now I almost cringe when I see her.
Gays always say they want to be treated like everyone else and I thought that meant that they just wanted to blend into society. Yet they draw special attention to themselves with their parades and now with exclusively gay cruises and exclusively gay schools. They may be good parents but doesn't this send a message to their children that they are truly "different"?
The more "exclusive" they become, the harder it will be for them to be fully accepted into society. Do they have "Gay Awards" now also?
posted on January 9, 2004 11:05:46 AM new
Helen's right. Why should this concern anyone else? Are you guys really that paranoid? Are you afraid that being gay rubs off? Let them enjoy it. The bigotry nonsense has got to stop.
kiara
Pretty harsh there. The same can be said for African Americans, Latinos, Native American's, Irish Americans. . .shall I go on?
posted on January 9, 2004 11:21:49 AM new
That's good..."It's a sort of bigot free vacation."
If I were black or gay or any other member of society considered "different" I would teach my children how it's great to be "different" and how to be proud of their differences and to appreciate differences in others. We are all different in some way or another. That's what makes life interesting!
posted on January 9, 2004 11:22:58 AM new
Kiara - There are Singles Cruises, AARP cruises, Car Salesmen cruises, Gourmet Cooking cruises and even Psychic Cruises .... theme cruises of this kind are a very common marketing tool used by travel companies to help boost an ailing industry. Just because someone would rather not be seen a freak in society does not mean that they do not also enjoy spending time with people with like experiences.
Besides - I know I would rather be on a ship full of gay families than a ship full of Ford dealers any day
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If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
[ edited by fenix03 on Jan 9, 2004 11:24 AM ]
posted on January 9, 2004 11:35:18 AM new
Sheesh Cheryl, I think you misunderstand what I meant. It doesn't bother me if people are gay and I've said that in other discussions here. I'm not paranoid about them at all and it they wish to get married that doesn't bother me either. If they want gay cruises that's fine by me.
What I am saying is that the more "exclusive" events, etc that they set up for themselves, the harder it will be for them to blend into society. To me it's like they're bringing special attention to themselves. But maybe that's they way they want it.
I'm far from being a bigot and all my friends know that. I guess I just don't write things the proper way.
posted on January 9, 2004 11:39:14 AM new
Guess I am naive about that. I can not imagine being rude to someone that is paying you money to be there. I usually see it going the other way - rude customers who have frequently had more to drink than they can handle being rude to service people.
posted on January 9, 2004 12:21:34 PM new
Gravid - we are not talking about the cruise staff. We are referring to other guests on the cruise. You know, the other kids in the pool, the people at the table next to you, the guy in the elevator, the people across the deck on the sun chairs. Can you imagine how much you would enjoy spending 7 days on a ship if those other people resented your lifestyle or mocked your status as a family? And you know it's not always sometimes it's just that tense uncomfortable vibe. Would you want to actually pay for that 7 day experience?
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on January 9, 2004 12:24:30 PM new
Kiara, you hit the nail on the head. I think everybody is missing the point that a boatload of Car dealers or Gourmet cooks aren't touting their sexuality or drawing huge attention with their parades or asking for special treatment. On one hand gays say they want to be treated like everyone else but in reality they want to be in the spotlight.
Political correctness is past the point of being ridiculous so everyone is terrified to say what they really mean because they are accused of being a bigot. I'm convinced this is why society is going to hell in a handbasket.
I agree with wgm, this lifestyle is not normal or common-practice.
posted on January 9, 2004 12:35:36 PM new
That is like saying that when blacks were fighting for civil rights they merely "wanted to be in the spotlight." In many ways, homosexuals are in the space spot blacks were.
Tell me, when a heterosexual couple holds hands or hugs in public, or opts to adopt a baby, are they "flaunting their sexuality?" No, just being themselves--but a gay couple doing the same thing is castigated.
Can a heterosexual person lose their job merely because they are heterosexual? No. But a gay person can.
Gays don't "want to be in the spotlight." They want the same rights as everyone else & not to have to watch everything they say & do in public. As to parades, why every group of every kind can and do have parades, rallies, get-togethers, BBQs, etc. etc. etc. So what? Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there --Clare Booth Luce
posted on January 9, 2004 07:40:28 PM newCan a heterosexual person lose their job merely because they are heterosexual? No. But a gay person can.
What if the heterosexual person worked for a gay company and they suddenly found out that he/she wasn't gay afterall?? I don't know, do you??
I think what kiara is saying is that she can accept a persons sexual preference as long as they do not shove it into our faces. Correct me if I am wrong.
Least wise this is how I think about it. If you want to be gay, then be gay, I don't care. Get married, adopt children, go on vacations. Do everthing that everyone else does but don't make it a gay only thing. This is not how you fit in, this is how you stand out and it makes everyone take notice of what you are doing and scrutinize you.
posted on January 9, 2004 08:30:45 PM newDo everthing that everyone else does but don't make it a gay only thing.
That's exactly what I'm trying to say, yellowstone. Thanks.
bunnicula, gays are somewhat in the space that blacks were and that's what I was thinking when I made the comment about Awards. There are Ebony Awards, Black Achievement Awards, the Organization of Black Alumni etc which does set them apart as a race. It's been said many times that if the word white was substituted for black there would be an outcry.
And yes, they fought hard for their rights and gays want their rights also, I'm not saying any different.
If a cruise was labeled as "heterosexual cruise" many would be objecting to that too.
