"Public" theme parks? WHICH municipalities own them? To be a 'public' park they would have to be supported by tax monies. No?
They are PRIVATE parks, opened to the public, at the pleasure of their owning corporations - who can discriminate between which activities they will allow, and which ones they will not allow. They allow these particular events on their properties because they are without scruples and are only interested in profit.
I remember someone from my Church saying that they once worked at a theme park that had a "gay day". Since most of the people would call in sick if they knew in advance what was scheduled, the park wouldn't tell the employees when the "gay day" would take place. With this kind of advance notice, the park managers must be doing something drastic, like threats or large bonuses, to get the place staffed.
No, their shares are sold on the NYSE, thus they are considered PUBLIC. They are in business to sell tickets, and they earn their money by attempting to create a 'family friendly' environment; to encourage families to come and visit. Think for a moment; Gays make up less than 3% of the population in general; what would motivate a multi-national company to destroy their 'family-friendly' basis for their entire corporation?
Because, like a theater, retail store, resturant or service industry, the theme parks cannot arbitrarily decline to admit a person based upon sexual orientation, religion, race, creed, yadda, yadda, yadda.
Open a resturant, and post a sign that says 'No Blacks Allowed on property" and see what happens. Open a theater and state that you will not sell a homosexual to enter. I think we both know what would happen. If you happen to be financially successful, and cater weddings, yet refuse to cater a homosexual 'wedding' YOUR company will be sued, and you will lose.
If you would trouble yourself to LEARN and to READ what Disney has said, in regard to these groups; you would realize that Disney denies any involvement in 'Gay Days', in either organization nor promotions. Disney has NO CHOICE but to admit these people; or be sued and bankrupted in court (ie. discrimination). Isn't tolerance grand?
They are open to the public. They are not "private" meaning that "members only" can visit.
With regard to many of the parks listed, you have a point. Not so with Walt Disney World. You really should look into the vast array of governmental powers ceded to that entity by the State of Florida. While you are at it, take a look at the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Sounds rather benign, no? The fact is that at Walt Disney World, Disney IS the government.
They could crack the whip on lewd behavior, but I bet they don't.
I understood 'public' as in 'open to the public,' but regardless, these places don't want to face a lawsuit, with the jury being filled with folks from the extended Los Angeles area. They know the jury will stick it to them.