Dollywood makes gay woman turn her shirt inside out
 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A lesbian couple is asking for changes at Dollywood after an employee asked one of the women to turn her T-shirt reading "marriage is so gay" inside-out to avoid offending others on a recent visit to the Tennessee theme park complex.

Olivier Odom and Jennifer Tipton said Tuesday they want the park to be more inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families after Odom was asked to reverse her shirt when they visited Dollywood Splash Country next to the Pigeon Forge amusement park. The story was first reported by WBIR-TV in Knoxville.

Dollywood spokesman Pete Owens said on Tuesday that Dollywood is open to all families, but their dress code policy is to ask people with clothing or tattoos that could be considered offensive to change clothes or cover up.

Owens said the couple was not asked to leave and complied with the rules to reverse the shirt when asked.

"The park is open every day to everybody," Owens said. "We try to provide an environment for families of all shapes and sizes to enjoy themselves.

Owens said park officials were discussing the matter and would speak with the couple directly.

Odom said that they visited the water park July 9 with friends and their friends' two children when she was asked by a person at the front gate to turn her shirt inside out because it was a family park.

Odom said she complied so as not to make a scene in front of the children, but felt offended.

"That's what we found so offensive — that he said it was a family park," Tipton said. "Families come in a wide range of definitions these days and we were with our family."

The two said they felt they needed to file a complaint with Dollywood because they believed it was important to stand up for their beliefs in marriage equality.

"If marriage equality is going to happen, it's not going to happen if people sit at home quietly," Odom said.

Odom said they understand the park can have dress code policies, but she felt Dollywood needed to make their policies clear and provide better training for employees when determining what is considered offensive.

Odom and Tipton are not legally married, but held a ceremony last year in North Carolina. They wrote an email to the park asking the park "to implement policies that are inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; conduct staff sensitivity training; and issue a public statement indicating that the park is inclusive of all families."

Owens said the couple's complaints have sparked discussion at the park about the dress code, a policy that park employees deal with frequently because of the thousands of visitors every year.

http://news.yahoo.com/gay-couple-ask...200120079.html


I am just sick over waking up to this, this morning. Right here in my area this happened. I am not that surprised but i'm sick that i'm not surprised. I also heard of a couple, friends with someone i work with, that were thrown out of the park because the couple gave each other a quick "peck" of a kiss before riding a ride.

I have bought DollyWood season passes for years. I didn't this year and will be watching to see if anything is done about this. If it is not, i won't be buying a season pass next year or any year thereafter.

The comments that are attached to this article are even more upsetting.

*shakes my head

Belle,
Just wanted to slide in under your wings and lift you up. You are a beautiful person, rarely saying anything bad about anyone, so I know it is shocking to you when other say bad things about your people. I'm sorry you are so upset. When we begin to effect change, people get angry; they don't like change, and most of all they don't like to change themselves or change their beliefs. If we were sitting still they would be quiet. There will, of course, be backlash until people settle in to their newer more positive beliefs about queerfolk. The backlash is a sign of the progress.

This one phrase (along with taking positive action, which you did), helps me more than anything else when my anger over injustices gets fired up.

"living well is the best revenge." Live your best life, be happy.

Many hugs to you.
Smooches,
Karen

I did see this before and yes the comments on it are very hate filled Doll no longer owns the park and I have to believe SHE would be not very happy about this.. If you go to the artical and read the coments it will make you angry just remember most are made by small people who can not see past what they do not uderstand so they hide behide hate

Dolly Parton never owned Dollywood. It is owned by the Herschend Family, she was given a small percentage of ownership for the use of her name. If you want to contact them and complain about what happened you can contact them via their website link below.

http://www.hfecorp.com/properties/

Dollywood theme park is the product of a wonderful relationship between Herschend Family Entertainment and entertainment legend Dolly Parton that dates back to 1985. Herschend Family Entertainment is the operating partner for Dolly Parton in her Dollywood Company, which owns the Dollywood theme park and Dollywood's Splash Country water park, both in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Additionally, the Dollywood Company is a partner in the Dixie Stampede dinner attractions located in Branson, MO and Pigeon Forge, TN; and Pirates Voyage in Myrtle Beach, SC.

For more information on Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, please visit www.hfecorp.com.

Sources: http://www.dollywood.com/dollywood-q...formation.aspx





The park first opened in 1961 as a small tourist attraction named "Rebel Railroad", featuring a steam train, general store, blacksmith shop, and saloon. In 1966, Rebel Railroad was renamed "Goldrush Junction" and in 1970, the Cleveland Browns football team purchased the park. In 1976, Jack and Pete Herschend bought the park, and in 1977, renamed it "Silver Dollar City Tennessee" (not to be confused with Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, also owned by the Herschends). In 1986, Dolly Parton became a co-owner, and the park was renamed "Dollywood".

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollywood


Apparently it is still currently co-owned by a Dolly Parton Company.

What is interesting is that I can remember back when it was Silver Dollar City and that train ride up the mountain. Showing my age here, but i grew up going there. I got my first bee-sting at Silver Dollar City.

It just hits so close to home with my heart to know gay people have been treated this way here. I am continuing to research and hopefully will find a way to sign a petition or do something....anything.

I'll keep watching and reporting!!!! Thanks all!!!!!

:|

Apparently the comments section is gone. I don't know why. Maybe a yahoo clitch or maybe so much hate they shut it down.

No clue...but i'll keep watching and keep you posted.

I do know this morning it went from 4,000 comments to 7,000 in a matter of minutes. 95% was hate.

yeah! what you said!

Full queer regalia! OMG! Queers are so fabulous, and when you piss them off they will drag out all their queerest crap and flap it in your face! I love it. Take lots of pictures.

On the other hand your Dad might appreciate it more if it didn't happen at his company picnic. Maybe a later date would be better (unless he's into it, of course!)

Smooches,
Keri

Count me in darlin. I'll wear my shirt with the pink letters that says "Team Femme".

I heard about this and it makes me mad. Someone should organize a big ol gay protest out in front of the park with rainbows flying out of their asses (figuratively). That might get their attention! lol

This was one of my very first thoughts. I hope Dolly will comment on this directly and not leave it to her PR people.

I'm thinking she will not be too happy.

I found this.....

The always candid Dolly Parton has revealed that she's in favor of granting gays and lesbians the rights to marry."Sure, why can't they get married? They should suffer like the rest of us do," the outspoken superstar told CNN show host Joy Behar. When Behar suggested Dolly's Southern roots might not mesh with the idea of marriage equality, the singer agreed, "I know that's true."

Dolly's not alone. This year, Reba McEntire surprised some of her conservative fans when she spoke in support of her gay fans and "many gay friends." "Don't judge me and I won't judge you," she said. "Keep an open mind."

Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, too, recently celebrated her gay fans. "I've always had a large gay following," the singer, who has performed at Gay Pride in Atlanta three times, said. "Particularly in the lesbian community. I am grateful for that ... It also means that I'm a cute girl singing a rock song in an alto voice!"

As for Dolly, the flamboyant entertainer admits she feels a certain kinship with her many gay and lesbian fans."I think it's because they know I'm different too, and it took me a long time to be accepted," she reasons."Plus, a lot of my gay guy friends love to dress up," she adds. "I think they just appreciate the fact that I love everybody for who they are."

Dolly did have some strong words, however, for Houston megachurch pastor Joel Osteen, who earlier this month stated that "homosexuality is not God's best work." "I don't want to talk about him," she said with a laugh. "I think God made us who we are and how we are, and I don't think if [Osteen] was a religious person, he would be judging people."

Dolly herself has weathered gay rumors. She and assistant Judy Ogle are constantly spotted together, and their close friendship (they've also been best friends since the third grade) eventually fueled speculation about whether the two were romantically connected, as well.

"We're totally honest, open, and comfortable with each other," Dolly told AARP magazine of her friendship with Judy. "We've been accused of being lovers. We do love each other, but we've never been like that."

Dolly shrugs off the rumors and insists that the "I dos" she said 43 years ago with husband Carl Dean were meant for life.

"I know we'll never divorce," she says. "He always knows I'm coming home."

Dolly's 'Live from London' CD/DVD was released last week.

Source: http://www.theboot.com/2009/11/17/do...-gay-marriage/

I can guess about how all the gays who live in the area and work at Dollywood feel. There are so many, especially with all the shows in the park and surrounding it.

I wonder of there is a policy in place for this type thing at the park? I have a difficult time believing that employees are encouraged to harass anyone, but can suspect that someone living in Southern Baptist Hell, who does not get out much, would think it is their divine duty to be an asshat.

I wonder how high up the management chain this went?

I also remember Silver Dollar City and lived, went to college and worked in the area...(back in the early 80's.)

I remember when Pigeon Forge was a Baskin Robbins, 3 motels and a bunch of churches lol.

I still visit the area often and was especially amused to see that Gatlinburg is all head shops, ninja weapons stores and Christian T shirt places now. lmao.

Bizzarro.

Oh heck yeah,sounds like fun....

If I was closer I would be one of the first in the gate,corse I would have to wear my black t-shirt that says .."It wont lick it self" in brite yellow on the frount...I dare them to ask me to take it off..dare em.

Topless Femme day... I would fly all the way out from California to see that. I would go topless too just so you ladies wouldn't feel so alone... Heh.

i have two pennies...
 

i saw this on the news at like 4am this morning on the telley. i have been reading this thread since yesterday early as well as the yahoo news story but hadn't heard it myself until then. the news reporters were commenting that dolly has come out [no pun there] in support of gay marriage herself on many occasions. it will be interesting to see this play out and just how public their [dollywood] apologies go.

the girl who wore the t-shirt and her partner were interviewed briefly and they handled themselves very well. they were respectful, articulate, polite and very honest seeming.

re: the spewed hatred and bigotry in the south, i think that's everywhere truly. not just the south. it's a ginormous issue that is finally getting the light and attention it deserves, and just the fact that national news carriers online and especially in the broadcast media are giving it that attention, screams volumes i think in how far we've really come as a community. we would not be having this same conversation [as horrible as it is] ten years ago when the words 'gay' and 'lesbian' were so dirty still. it's a slow and painful process this mainstreaming of an entire people, but it is happening... slowly and surely.

I soooooooooooo agree with this. Even though sometimes "we" feel like the world of bigotry is where we see it most, which is where we reside, for the most part, you are right and i've said this before:

When you enter this country and proclaim to be a prejudice ass hat they don't tell you that you have to live below the mason dixon line.

It is everywhere. It is all over the world. It's just when it is so close to home that it seems to be overwelming at times.

And again, i agree with you, at least we are having these conversations, here, on yahoo and on the news. It is painful but it is progress.

Thank you for your great post.

I've been off camping with the Boy Scouts and missed this news initially. I wonder what they would think if some lesbian wore the shirt that says, "Let go of my ears. I know what I'm doing."