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Tokyo Disney parks abandon 'ladies and gentlemen' announcements

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Unsurprising as Disney is one of the worst offenders of woke. However still sad to see this creeping slowly onto Japanese shores.

35 ( +45 / -10 )

Stop the world, I want to get off!

Utterly ridiculous and such a shame. No matter how far the liberal wokies push their pathetic agenda, there are only two genders; male and female.

36 ( +49 / -13 )

How dumb-o.

33 ( +39 / -6 )

Twaddle. Means no Donald and Daisy Duck either. Someone might be offended.

23 ( +30 / -7 )

Holy cow!

@Nagoya Chris: I am liberal (perhaps an old classical liberal) and I can certainly tell you I also believe this is insanity as well. I can also assure you I know several other "liberals" who share your feeling about this, and mine.

When the announcer says "Good morning ladies and gentleman" the announcer is still capturing all people in the audience. If someone identifies as a different gender then they would still be included in the "ladies in gentelemen" announcement as the other gender to which they are identifying with or changing to is still included.

About the two genders issue: I agree that there are biologically 2 genders. I also understand for certain reasons there are those that do not identify with the gender which correlates to the parts they were born with. I have absolutely no problem if someone changes their gender (still changing to one of the two genders by the way) and have nothing against someone who chooses this path and I hope they are loved and accepted by their family and friends.

However, we are now heading down a path to gradually restructure segments of behavior and society based on those who identify as the gender they were not born with. That is craziness.

27 ( +32 / -5 )

*Cut ALL the Crap!*” - Since the 1930’s, Mickey has always said, “*Hello, Folks!” *or* “Hi’ya Folks**”. *

Nobody is offended by that. Just use “folks” for ‘everybody‘ and let’s get on with it!

The man, Walt Disney, drew and scripted his origin character that way and *it never offended anyone**.*

2 ( +13 / -11 )

Look vocabulary changes over time. Not too long ago, a simple word, "bad" had basically one meaning, now depending upon it's use, it can mean the direct opposite of what it "originally" or typically meant.

Want to get more PC here? Take a look at the original meaning of the word "fag", or "faggot", use it today, and people will call you out on it, not matter how you use it.

There are plenty of other examples, and people just need to get used to it!

Even here in Japan the word "gaijin" at one time, was used by Japanese to describe someone not from within their own, like "bu-gaijin", now even the word "gaijin" is seen as being a derogatory word.

I wonder how many here complain about the word "gaijin" and think "ladies and gentlemen" is still appropriate?

Really it's no big deal, time change, as well as language too!

-2 ( +13 / -15 )

I find it funny they are doing this only in English announcements. I also wonder how much native English feedback was given to this decision as "guest and visitors" would have achieved the same effect an maintaining the formalness of "ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls".

11 ( +12 / -1 )

I wonder how far will Japan take this gender-neutral stuff, this is just funny.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

That’s the problem @Yubaru. Walt started a business open to everyone. No need to change it ‘for agendas’.

*- “now, depending upon it's use, it can mean the direct opposite of what it "originally" or typically meant... and people just need to get used to it!.” -*

Usurping the ‘original use’ of words and phrases to ‘try to change perceived or, exaggerated issues’ is just another feeble way of trying to ‘push an agenda’. IF someone is so offended by a business, take your money elsewhere. Create your own characters, theme parks and language.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Before anyone else is ‘triggered & traumatized’, “Oriental” used as a business name is perfectly correct usage as an adjective for inanimate things like land, objects, etc but. not humans. “Asians” is fine. - Let’s move on.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

Man! Talk about begin politically correct. I don't really recall anyone having complaints about the former announcements. So much for the good old days.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Good point, @Lovecrafting 8:50a: Don’t be afraid to use the words for their intended meaning: “Extremists, Extremism, ...”

We, as ‘people’, don’t need corporations, like Disney, Inc, governments and, especially, the media creating, manipulating and perpetuating ‘non-existent’ divisions thus, DICTATING how we ALL should think and speak!

4 ( +7 / -3 )

@snowymountainhell

Really, 'folks'⸮ You seriously think that 1930's dog whistle for white supremacists is O.K.⸮ It's widely known that Walt Disney had Nazi sympathies and the term 'folk' is heavily laden with white ethnographic nationalist associations. Clearly you understand that language can negatively impact the lives of LGBTIQCAPGNGFNBA minorities and are striving to speak with greater inclusivity, but 'folks'⸮ No, just nooooo.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

YubaruToday  08:20 am JST

Look vocabulary changes over time. Not too long ago, a simple word, "bad" had basically one meaning, now depending upon it's use, it can mean the direct opposite of what it "originally" or typically meant.

Want to get more PC here? Take a look at the original meaning of the word "fag", or "faggot", use it today, and people will call you out on it, not matter how you use it.

Quite so. In much of the UK a "faggot" is a kind of meatball and a "fag" is a cigarette,

9 ( +9 / -0 )

I wonder how the French language for one is adjusting to gender neutral terms.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I quite like being called a gentleman, especially when I'm standing there trying to shove flavoured popcorn into my face before my kids eat it all. I'm sure that's the Disney experience for many dads.

There was a report yesterday about an LGBT petition for an equality law before the Olympics. The Games themselves are made up of separate events for men and women.

In response to the "what next?", an emerging battlefield is language relating to childbirth, with moves to replace "breastfeeding" with "chestfeeding" and "maternal" with "perinatal". This may be a good thing or a bad thing, but as with trans in sports, it is women, themselves a minority, who it affects.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

I get it that Japan looks up to America for Hollywood, rock and roll and other things, but come on!

You don't have to copy all the stupid stuff from America.

11 ( +17 / -6 )

Some say what is the harm.

Note that back in 1981 ( is my old man memory is correct) I was a participant and organiser if the first pride parade in Canada) so I get the need not to discriminate.

But at this point it has because an out of controlled monster.

In countries like Canada you can be fined, go to jail, lose your job for using he, she if the person you are referring to demands you use "gender neutral" alternatives.

In the French language objects, things animals as general form the male form of the word is used when referring to the group.

Now this small minority of a small minority what to rewrite the entire basics of the language to make it neutral.

As an atheist growing up in a Catholic controled society I fought to remove the thought and life control of the church now that this has finally happened, here comes a new group wanting to impose their views, their controls on us and our children.

Basically we replaced one thought police with another.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

If anyone wonders how far this goes and how even dangerous for some mostly those in the affected group, here is an example of how far and even unhealthy/dangerous things are getting.

In Toronto ( and I found out other places also), the government had to outfit special mobile clinics to service the transgender/non binary community that refused to go to hospitals because they feel "uncomfortable" having to put down a gender on medical/admission forms.

They were offended at having to chose or put down their biological facts.

I don't understand if they want to ignore reality that their internal organs are not want they are then that is their problem, why must the government cater to their delusions.

As a biological male I don't run the risk of ovarian cancer I have a very low risk of breast cancer but I do run the risk of prostate cancer and higher risk of coronary problems.

My denial will not change these facts, if I identify as a woman dies not change the fact biological I am male and the reverse is also the same.

The harm by giving into more and more of this is that we end up with more and more and more demands for special treatment and more ignoring reality.

Equality under the law does not mean every word, every action, etc...must be somehow neutral.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Excellent news and if it irks the delicate flies in amber; all the better.

Real, natural, normal human biology gender distinctions of man and woman are getting erased.

Normal is archaic, and at best, subjective. The real crux of the matter is the falsehood that men, women, gender, marriage, Mickey/Minnie, are somehow being "erased".

They aren't. Traditions are constantly changing. Change is hard for some people, but it's part of life.

But, as ever, it's a delight to see some conservatives focusing on the important things in life, like cartoons, plastic potatoes and theme parks.

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

AntiquesavingToday 11:35 am JST

In Toronto ( and I found out other places also), the government had to outfit special mobile clinics to service the transgender/non binary community that refused to go to hospitals because they feel "uncomfortable" having to put down a gender on medical/admission forms.They were offended at having to chose or put down their biological facts.

Wrong. They feel uncomfortable putting their gender down because it outs them, and many medical staff are prejudiced towards transgender people. It's very difficult for transgender people to find medical care because a lot of doctors either just refuse to treat them, or else the doctor doesn't have the necessary expertise.

I don't understand if they want to ignore reality that their internal organs are not want they are then that is their problem, why must the government cater to their delusions.

They don't "ignore their internal organs" - see above.

Equality under the law does not mean every word, every action, etc...must be somehow neutral.

Um, actually, it does. Otherwise the law would be discriminatory.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Burning BushToday 10:26 am JST

The people who’ll be hurt the most will be girls who are forced to put up with men not only in their safe spaces but also on their sports teams.

Real, natural, normal human biology gender distinctions of man and woman are getting erased.

You never stand up for women, Burning Bush. But if you can use women to attack and insult transpeople, you are suddenly a knight in shining armor.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Never been there, never going, if Disneyland wants to get rid of gender titles, there choice then that means in the company of woman I never have to hold open the door again, I can belch talk as rude as I want and treat women the exact same way I treat my male friends, really? That’s less stress for me, I can be myself, I just don’t want to hear any complaints from any woman! Let’s abandon all pronouns, be genderless and faceless etc.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Somehow I knew Burning Bush would be the first to comment.

Come one, this is all becoming so predictable.

It's funny how some people don't have a heart attack when the Japanese merely use the words mina-san.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

I don't especially care for the change, but I will feel less entitled by Disney as a special customer. So will feel less prone to paying a lot to enter Disney parks.

It is just a move.

Just respect everyone in your intent.

I learned some time ago one cannot satisfy all people all the time...

Personally, I don't think it is a good move but time will tell.

When kid, I loved imagining Mickey and Minnie in bed ;)

0 ( +2 / -2 )

So it's non binary then?

Tokyo Disney parks are fun and escapism.

Leave the political clap-trap where it belongs.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

I am offended. What about MY rights?

How is this affecting you, specifically?

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

bass4funkToday 12:00 pm JST

...if Disneyland wants to get rid of gender titles, there choice then that means in the company of woman I never have to hold open the door again, I can belch talk as rude as I want and treat women the exact same way I treat my male friends, really? That’s less stress for me, I can be myself, I just don’t want to hear any complaints from any woman! Let’s abandon all pronouns, be genderless and faceless etc.

Yes. You should be treating your female friends in exactly the same way as you treat your male friends. You don't need to hold doors and let women go first. But belch talking and being rude? Those are male traits? Okay, you said it; I didn't.

And allowing some space in society for non-binary folks doesn't mean everyone has to be genderless and faceless. It just means ... well, allowing some space in society for non-binary folks.

I don't know why that concept is so hard for people. The way this is being discussed, one would think your rights were being stolen away and given to someone else.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Do announcements now start with, “Gender nondescript humans....”?

2 ( +6 / -4 )

 operator Oriental Land Co said Friday.

Oriental............isn't that a "derogatory" term from the 80's?

Why don't they just make a joke out of it and say "Welcome Ladies and Germs, Welcome Ducks and Mice, or Welcome, please give us as much cash as possible!, Thank you!"

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Nice try at ‘stirring the pot’ @shogun36 2:27pm

*8:54 am JST - “Before anyone else is ‘triggered & traumatized’, “Oriental” used as a business name is perfectly correct usage as an adjective for inanimate things like land, objects, etc but. not humans. “Asians” is fine for people. - Let’s move on.” - *

0 ( +1 / -1 )

More “woke” nonsense. There are two genders. You are either a lady or a gentleman, pick whichever you like.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

Wrong. They feel uncomfortable putting their gender down because it outs them, and many medical staff are prejudiced towards transgender people.

This is the same false excuse used by the same group for not informing people they are dating about the fact they were not born the gender they now say they are.

The transgender community seems to think their rights not to tell overrides the rights of their date to know who they are really dating.

It seems always this one-way street that is the special community over all other's.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Yet another reason not to go to that mess of a place.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Fair enough, @151E 9:15a.

Of course, some past actions, inactions and associations by many cannot be supported nor defended. Disney, the man, had many faults and made some bad decisions and associations, prior to the war. Some of his business associates, visiting foreign directors and labor union grievances were anti-Semitic. However, of all the Jews working with him, none were ever vocal, nor went on record, even after his death and their retirement, that Disney, the man, personally voiced anti-Semitics.

Respectfully, if You still feel strongly against *Him, *then don’t patronize the parks and/or any Disney products.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

You don't speak for all women.

You don't speak for non binary folks.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

More “woke” nonsense. There are two genders. You are either a lady or a gentleman, pick whichever you like.

There is a wide spectrum of how people can and do identify themselves. It is not you are either this or that.

Please show some respect and stop cancelling us.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Burning BushToday  01:52 pm JS

Some women actually still appreciate that, especially if the door is heavy.

Good for them.

You don't speak for all women.

never ever once said or even implied I did.

what I did say is that men should feel free to treat women the same as they rest other men; that there’s no reason to feel pressured to conform to outdated sexist stereotypes..... unless you want to.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

Burning BushToday  03:57 pm J

That should apply to the 0.000000001% of people who for some reason are offended by "Gentlemen and Ladies" not to the 99.9999999% of people who aren't.

Being happy to feel included is not the same as feeling offended.

I believe it was you that you were offended.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Also, @151E 9:15am regarding “Folks”: It’s just as a ‘possible’ alternative, already in place and used at ALL English speaking Disney parks for even more simple and inclusive, “Everyone”. - Speaking of Twitter, GLAAD officially endorsed and tweeted Nov. 17, 2017 that ‘*you guys’ was no longer acceptable as a ‘gender neutral’ term and that ‘folks’ was best to include everyone in most social situations*.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Every time I hear it, it sounds more like "Radies and genturmen" so if they can better pronounce the new greeting, that may be a side benefit to the change.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Here is how all this ends up actually causing problems for those that actually accept their birth gender.

Due to new regulations regarding Transgender in sports, any born male that reduces their testosterone levels below 5 nmol can participate as a woman, let's not get into the hemoglobin levels, blood volume, etc...

But born women generally have between 0.7 and 2.4 nmol but some do have over 5 nmol.

So now any born female that naturally has over 5 nmol has to also take testosterone reducing drugs.

So to please the Transgender these women are forced to do something that is not natural for their bodies or give up sports.

Now no such rule exists for the men, as long as their testosterone is natural they can have any level.

Have women Athletes objected to this? Yes and as usual they were accused of discrimination and ignored.

So to please a tiny group we penalise half the population.

As I pointed out things are no longer about not discriminating but have gone far beyond logic into the extreme.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

So to please the Transgender these women are forced to do something that is not natural for their bodies or give up sports.

This is not to please transgender athletes, this is because of lousy practices of the sports world with respect of science based determinations.

The solution to let transgender athletes compete without compromising fairness from the beginning was very clear. To spend the time and money necessary to properly characterize the physical differences in the categories and come up with evidence based standards, so any athlete that was traditionally allowed inside those categories would not have any trouble being accepted for competition; while the athletes that were segregated into a different category because of physical advantages would not be able to be accepted.

Instead what the sports authorities did was what they always did, make terribly bad designed reviews of very limited studies with terribly bad conclusions (that said what the authorities wanted to hear) and made the standards based on those reviews. That is what they used to do to "demonstrate" that professional sports are safe and that American Football for example was not related to brain injuries.

The result was absolutely predictable, completely fake and irrelevant standards that eliminated athletes that traditionally would have been accepted and failed to eliminate those considered of having an unfair advantage.

This situation is in the process of being corrected, but the damage is done and now any kind of proper study that needs to be conducted is in the middle of a huge controversy, so this is not going to be corrected soon.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

"I am liberal (perhaps an old classical liberal) and I can certainly tell you I also believe this is insanity as well. I can also assure you I know several other "liberals" who share your feeling about this, and mine."

If many liberals think this is insane, in addition to nearly all moderates and basically all conservatives...Then who is this policy pleasing ??

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Then who is this policy pleasing ??

Those that yell the loudest especially on social media.

Just think, we still have fixed the problems with simple things like proper access for the disabled in such places as public toilets but now we hear demands for gender neutral public toilets.

And the reason things haven't moved forward in decades for this disabled is because they just don't have the capacity to yell as much or as loud.

Ever seen a disabled pride parade or could it even happen due to logistical problems.

So tell more yell louder and pass others and give the impression you are more in need.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

how about "ladies and gentlemen and everyone else" ?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

How about “Everyone” ? @jijiXx 6:52am. Then, we can be done with it.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Really, getting all offended and irritated over proper pronouns.

I wonder how many of you would have gotten all sanctimonious when Miss and Mrs. were replaced by Ms.

What is happening to the world - Oh my god - hyphenated names. It's the end!!!!

What a pathetic life you must live if how one wants to be identified and the shift that society is making to be more inclusive bother's you so much.

Go enjoy some Cherry Blossoms. Realign yourself to what is really important. Your health, your family, what you can do to make you a better person.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Really, getting all offended and irritated over proper pronouns.

I wonder how many of you would have gotten all sanctimonious when Miss and Mrs. were replaced by Ms.

What is happening to the world - Oh my god - hyphenated names. It's the end!!!!

What a pathetic life you must live if how one wants to be identified and the shift that society is making to be more inclusive bother's you so much.

Translation: "STOP fighting my cancerous ideology. Just surrender."

Nope. Not me. On the contrary, more people need to speak up and dismiss this BS from a small but very noisy minority of bullies.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

@beentofivecontinents

"Then who is this policy pleasing"

Human and or civil rights has never been about a popularity contest.

If Disney or any other corp offends you, shop with your feet.

If it urks you/people so much that it creates such an inconvenience to your daily routine, then continue to use he/she him or her or whatever.

Just take a seat at the old classical back of the bus and ride into obscurity with the woman shouldn't be allowed to vote, and your segregated water fountains.

Like all "old" outdated anything, ya better learn how to swim or you'll sink like a stone, cuz the times they are a changin.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Yes. You should be treating your female friends in exactly the same way as you treat your male friends.

I always have, that’s kind of a no brainer, but at the same time no you’re saying if I scratch My twigs and berries in front of women, tell sexist and rude jokes, get drunk and punch them like a guy for whatever reason it’s ok? You’re basically saying, on every level I should treat women like men? That means, we can throw out all sexual violence towards women out of window as well as alimony? Seems fine with me.

You don't need to hold doors and let women go first. But belch talking and being rude? Those are male traits? Okay, you said it; I didn't.

Great!

And allowing some space in society for non-binary folks doesn't mean everyone has to be genderless and faceless. It just means ... well, allowing some space in society for non-binary folks.

Why? Why do they get that privilege if we are supposed to be all the same?

I don't know why that concept is so hard for people. The way this is being discussed, one would think your rights were being stolen away and given to someone else.

Kinda is.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

If many liberals think this is insane, in addition to nearly all moderates and basically all conservatives...Then who is this policy pleasing ??

Very good question. I shake my head at the types making the left look ridiculous. I see myself as on the left but I’ve failed the purity test on a few issues. The right has its own back and white types who just recite from their creed. Both are generally a waste of time talking to.

Some of it could just be some on the left enjoying something which can be employed to make the right look like troglodytes. The merits of the issue itself are secondary.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

bass4funkToday 09:48 am JST

I always have, that’s kind of a no brainer, but at the same time no you’re saying if I scratch My twigs and berries in front of women, tell sexist and rude jokes, get drunk and punch them like a guy for whatever reason it’s ok? You’re basically saying, on every level I should treat women like men? That means, we can throw out all sexual violence towards women out of window as well as alimony? Seems fine with me.

Alternatively, you could treat all your friends in the way you treat your female friends. You could hold doors for them, refrain from touching your privates in front of them, stifle your burps and farts, not tell sexist jokes ...

You actually have a plethora of choices.

But it's a bit shocking to me to hear that you get drunk and punch your guy friends. That makes me wonder how many friends you actually have.

That means, we can throw out all sexual violence towards women out of window as well as alimony? Seems fine with me.

I would hope that you already refrain from sexual violence.

As a feminist, I've always personally been against alimony.

Why? Why do they get that privilege if we are supposed to be all the same?

Treating everyone the same actually means not giving special privileges to anyone. Which would mean that cisgender people don't get special consideration while the needs of others are neglected or ignored.

Did you also get upset when the facilities to accomodate the special needs of people with impaired vision, or people who are disabled, began to be built? Did you call it "special privileges" when wheelchair users got their own bathrooms? Just curious.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

But it's a bit shocking to me to hear that you get drunk and punch your guy friends. That makes me wonder how many friends you actually have.

Hardly, the far right pepper their posts with violent rhetoric. No surprise they would carry out random acts of violence in the real world.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

bob Today 09:08 am JST

Translation: "STOP fighting my cancerous ideology. Just surrender."

Nope. Not me. On the contrary, more people need to speak up and dismiss this BS from a small but very noisy minority of bullies.

I hate to tell you this, bob, but bigots are actually in the minority. That's why the fight for equality is succeeding, albeit slowly.

I also hate to tell you that you have the definition of "bully" wrong here. A bully is someone who tries to hurt people who are weaker than they are. And it's not the bigots who are being hurt here.

We are simply not allowing the bigots to harm others. So in reality, we are protecting LGBTQIA from the bigots. In other words, the bigots are the bullies.

You have the choice to be kind, compassionate, understanding, and tolerant. If I were you, I'd make an active decision to take that path instead of taking the path of hate and intolerance.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

It’s interesting @Antiquesaving 10:44am, what WE can learn when ‘reading the entirety’ of a post and asking legitimate questions before reacting. For brevity, please forgive the paraphrasing.  Respectfully, here’s ‘our’ take-away’ from your extensive experiences.  (Please answer if ANY are misunderstood ‘out of context’.)

Some may have missed it but You were once an organizer for ‘Pride’ thereby, support LGBT+ ?  So, it would be more valuable to consider your insights, as an advocate, than fruitlessly attack and debate individual points, just to win through conjecture.  

And now, you foresee a possible, potential “harm” to the overall group?

 - “Now, a ‘small minority of a small minority’ want to rewrite the entire basics of the language to make it ‘gender-neutral’.” -

Your own ideals and activism for societal change, for example, a ‘separation of church and state’ eventually manifested or, did it take ‘hard work and sacrifices’?

  - “As an atheist in a {religion} controlled society, I fought to remove their thought and life control.  Now, that this has finally happened, here comes a new group wanting to impose their views, their controls on us and our children. Basically, we’ve replaced one ‘thought police’ with another.” -

Yet, another ‘head of the hydra’ has emerged?

  - “The harm by giving into more and more of this is that we end up with more and more demands for special treatment.  Equality under the law does not mean every word, every action, etc...must be somehow neutral.” -

And, this new ‘head of the hydra’, under the ‘power of the state’, can impose even more strict sanctions on a populace than any church.

  -  “Here is how all this ends up, actually causing problems for those that actually accept their birth gender.  {For example}, Due to new regulations regarding transgender in sports, women are forced to do something that is not natural for their bodies or give up sports. Now, no such rule exists for the men, as long as their testosterone is natural they can have any level. Women athletes objected to this and as usual, they were accused of discrimination and ignored.” -

Again, forgive the analogies but, somewhat of a “Pandora’s box”, so to speak? 

 - “So, to please a tiny group, we penalise half the population. As I pointed out things are no longer about not discriminating, but have gone far beyond logic into the extreme.”

Then, Who are these policies helping? 

  - “{Only} those that yell the loudest, especially on social media.  We still haven’t fixed problems, like proper access for the disabled in such places as public toilets but now we hear demands for ‘gender-neutral’ public toilets.

Understood. Yesterday, one ‘community’ member equated ‘their’ specific issues as minority’ are equivalent to the struggles of the mentally and physically challenged. To quote therm directly: “This is like telling a disabled person to be more aware about the needs of the disabled.

  - “And the reason things haven't moved forward in decades for the disabled is because they just don't have the capacity to yell as much or, as loud. Never seen a disabled pride parade nor could it even happen due to logistical problems. So, tell more, yell louder, and pass others to give the impression You are more in need.”

 Indeed.  Much is to be considered before additional reactionary decisions are made that can affect ALL PEOPLE and not, just to benefit a select few.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I hate to tell you this, bob, but bigots are actually in the minority. That's why the fight for equality is succeeding, albeit slowly.

You and I both know this has nothing to do with bigotry. It has everything to do with identity politics and power.

It is pure cancer and it is eating away at the west. If Japan cedes this beachhead, it will follow suit.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Alternatively, you could treat all your friends in the way you treat your female friends. You could hold doors for them, refrain from touching your privates in front of them, stifle your burps and farts, not tell sexist jokes ...

Naw, I like to relax when I’m with my friends, be myself, not hold back, I think all men should so women should never complain about a guys behavior again, we are all the same and no need for chivalry anymore. Heck, just make coed toilets while we’re at it.

You actually have a plethora of choices. 

But it's a bit shocking to me to hear that you get drunk and punch your guy friends.

Not purposely, (joke) but tequila does a lot of unmentionable things to people, anyway, I shouldn’t have to worry about any repercussions now whether I hit or slap a woman, we are all the same right?

That makes me wonder how many friends you actually have.

That means, we can throw out all sexual violence towards women out of window as well as alimony? Seems fine with me.

I would hope that you already refrain from sexual violence. 

Well, wait a minute! According to you it doesn’t exist anymore in the sense that male aggressiveness is pretty much non-existent

As a feminist, I've always personally been against alimony. 

Why do we need feminism if we are all the same? No gender identity labels, right?

Treating everyone the same actually means not giving special privileges to anyone. Which would mean that cisgender people don't get special consideration while the needs of others are neglected or ignored. 

And feminists as well under any circumstances.

Did you also get upset when the facilities to accomodate the special needs of people with impaired vision, or people who are disabled, began to be built? Did you call it "special privileges" when wheelchair users got their own bathrooms? Just curious.

Nope, no reason to, completely different tangent.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

@bob

Translation: "STOP fighting my cancerous ideology. Just surrender."

Bob, This is what happens when you use google translate.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

cisgender

Why do you keep using that term?

Why must you use that labeling?

This was invented by those that are not heterosexual in order to somehow make the labeling they feel they need to identify themselves look less out of place.

Nearly every heterosexual I know dislike the term so stop using it, we did not say you can.

The LGB........ community have demanded that certain terms deemed offensive not be used and we don't.

But you keep using this term despite being told multiple time not to.

There is an acceptable term and it is heterosexual so use it!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Did you also get upset when the facilities to accomodate the special needs of people with impaired vision, or people who are disabled, began to be built? Did you call it "special privileges" when wheelchair users got their own bathrooms? Just curious.

Now look around.

Has any real progress been made in decades by those with disabilities?

No! Nothing but window dressing.

Do we hear daily complaints from the disabled? No who can we the other able-bodied groups with pride parades, pride moths full access to social media, high profile member celebrities out complain out yell the disabled.

And anyone that points this out is publicly attacked and accused of discrimination.

Non binary want gender neutral toilets we still don't even have actual public toilets that are really accessable to wheelchairs.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Bob, This is what happens when you use google translate.

crinnnnge...

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Has any real progress been made in decades by those with disabilities?

No! Nothing but window dressing.

Unfortunately, campaigning for the rights of those with disabilities doesn’t score you posturing points. Talking about those in poverty is becoming dangerously passé too.

Those at the top are loving watching the masses squabble about pronouns. Meanwhile, in the homeless shelters and food banks....

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Maybe if we highlight homelessness and poverty among transsexuals, non-binary etc. we might get somewhere.

I might write to the Guardian with an idea for a story.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@Jimizo

Years back in Canada I had a friend who identifies a non-binary, they complained about being uncomfortable having to use male toilets.

So I set them up for a reality check.

I invited them out and when they had to use the public toilet I sent another friend in right behind them.

This other friend has Cerebral palsy,

Once inside the public toilet he could not even open the door to the disabled toilet stall and asked my non-binary friend for help, once that done he again asked for help to use his urinal bottle, ( catheters are not a good long term solution due to constant infections).

When all this was over they both came out and my non-binary friend realised they had been set up and was very upset, saying what we did was not right or fair and promptly left.

A few weeks went by and I got a call from my non-binary friend asking to meet and to also ask my friend with Cerebral palsy to come.

It took time but my non-binary friend apologised to my other friend, saying they were so focused on their tiny problem of having to chose a toilet that they never bothered to stop and think that they had so much freedom of being able to just use a toilet without any problems.

I have a from of ASD (Autism), ADHD and am severely dyslexic.

With all that one would think I would be upset with my situation but I look around and see people with far far far more problems including something as simple as not being able to walk up even one step and my problems suddenly seem tiny in comparison.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Churchill was right when he said that the fascists of the future will call themselves anti-fascist (assuming it is a real quote) .

Tokyo Disneyland has clearly ignored the wishes of the majority and capitulated to the aggressive insanity of the far left bigots. Tokyo Disneyland is now on my list of places to avoid as I only recognise two sexes, male and female, and whilst I understand that there are those who don't feel that way about themselves, I make the educated guess that they are very few in number and that it is completely unnecessary to change our language pronouns, are terms of address and our toilet arrangements.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

our terms of address
0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Antiquesaving

Fine post. A bit of perspective is needed. I remember going on marches during the 80’s and 90’s in the UK, and one of the issues was the plight of the elderly who were scared of turning their heating on in winter for fear of not being able to afford the bill. An #%!?ing scandal. Apparently this is still an issue in the UK.

I can’t remember too much outrage about this recently. Plenty of warriors in the pronoun wars though.

I’m not saying it’s impossible to do both, but the bandwidth issues often taken up by preening well-fed, well-clothed, well-housed people fortunate enough to born without disabilities is a bit concerning.

Looks like some issues may not be fashionable enough to register on the radar anymore.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

@Jimizo

Good points.

In Canada there was outrage, news outlets, pride parade protest, social media for months when certain provinces cut funding for reassignment surgery for the transgender. This went on for quite some time with all the big shots joining in to finally get most of what they wanted.

But when at the same time these same provinces cut funding, closed schools and programs down for those with disabilities like Autism we saw very little concerned only the families of these children spoke up and the focus remained of the transgender issues.

Just recently Canada cut the measly $4 million funding for audio books and support for the blind while launching more programs for the transgender community.

Today in Canada the blind are worse off than in 50 years as Braille documents are rarely available, phone services are no longer available because everything have now been moved online.

Seems people incharge forgot that most blind cannot use the internet and only those with special equipment can and it rarely works properly but to mention cost thousands on top of the cost of a computer.

But the narrative of LGB...... being most in need continues.

The covid situation affected us all but the news in the west goes on about it's "devastating effects on the trans community not being able to get support from their community because of lockdowns.

Buried away is the fact and reports that those why disabilities have been locked in their homes unable to even leave to go shopping or to the doctor. Many more reports of them dying alone as they have just been forgotten as services got cut due to lockdowns.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Burning Bush

Everybody seemed fine with "Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls" for the past 200 years.

What about when the say "Here he comes" as Mickey approaches.

Isn't that gonna hurt someone's feelings as well?

Eventually it will. I tend to think now that we can not stop the wokeness insanity, it will stop itself once it has turned itself ad absurdum. Alas, we have not reached peak insanity yet.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

The word "guests" is some great ideological burden? Some type of oppression? Get a grip people.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

There was a popular Queen on the San Francisco comedy circuit who used to open with, "Hello Boys, Hello Girls, Hello Boy-Girls, Hello Girl-Boys. There, I think I've covered everyone."

As pointed out, "folks" works, but probably not a commonly understood word in Japan. But then, will it be "here comes Mickey-folks!" (although using folks is common in Hawaii - as in "the Smith folks were all at the beach yesterday."

Guests- why, yes - that works. But, there's no Mickey guest, or Daisy guest is there.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Alas, we have not reached peak insanity yet.

Your ‘we’ already has. It’s the rest of us that suffer for it.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Readers, no more bickering please.

I wonder how the French language for one is adjusting to gender neutral terms.

The title Mademoiselle is controversial ...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I wonder how the French language for one is adjusting to gender neutral terms.

it isn't! The simple fact is that seeing everything in the language has a feminine or masculine term it would take a complete rewrite of the basics of the language starting with the Articles Le, La, un, une, etc...all the way to the grammar, conjugation.

It would be like creating an entire new language, same would apply to Italian, Spanish, etc...

At this time creating new words for certain professions that are neutral is already because confusing and controversial.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Problem isn't that they are changing it. It's their business and policies change, this is quite a minor policy.

I just think that someone gender neutral's idea of inclusivity isn't whither their gender could be interpreted as being included in a massive generic greeting blasted to who ever the heck happens to be there at a theme park.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Well, like most of the guests also I am not exactly a gentleman, as it would have to be with the image of a gentleman, but ‘hello, everyone’? That greeting would be really showing no respect and be very insulting.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

"Yo, people!"

"Hello adults and children of all ages"

In 'da hood, we know what they'd say.

There are multiple ways to look at this. Know a guy who always says, "Hello gentlemen, and Pete" when he sees us at a table. It is just a way to imply that Pete isn't a gentleman.

I suppose saying "Ladies and gentlemen and children of all ages could be interpreted by some as ignoring their adulthood, since they don't feel like a lady or gentleman today.

The world has become much more informal the last 40 yrs which has both good and bad results.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I guess the PC "persons" of the world won't stop until they've sterilized each and every thing that even hints of "gender"

rolls eyes

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I like to be addressed as a "gentleman" and I'm sure there are women out there that don't mind being addressed as a "ladies". The words "Ladies and Gentlemen" is respectful and sounds classy. I for one, don't appreciate people telling me what I should or should not "like". TDL made the wrong choice IMO.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I like to be addressed as a "gentleman" and I'm sure there are women out there who don't mind being addressed as "ladies". The greeting "Ladies and Gentlemen" is respectful and sounds classy. BTW, I for one, don't appreciate people telling me what I should or should not "like". TDL made the wrong choice, I'd say.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

No no no no. Please stop it.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Unfortunately, campaigning for the rights of those with disabilities doesn’t score you posturing points. Talking about those in poverty is becoming dangerously passé too.

Hallelujah!

This story is one of three (this, the one about immigration, and the one about a petition) on consecutive days on Japan Today about LGBT. Has there ever been three stories in three days about poverty?

Unlike inequalities based on gender, race, and sexuality, all of which are seeing progress, economic inequality is actually worsening. Many women work now not out of "liberation", but because you now need two salaries to support a family, not one. In 2013, President Obama called increasing inequality "the defining issue of our time".

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I don't see it as a problem of people being annoyed or offended or upset at not being called ladies and gentlemen anymore.

By the time you're inside Tokyo Disneyland and being accosted by the loudspeakers, they've already got your money, the damage is already inflicted.

For me, it's just a bit frustrating to think that people are being paid good money to sit down and discuss ways to 'solve' a non-existent 'problem'. If it ain't broke, it don't need fixed.

If they've got the cash to chuck at these PR gurus, they could maybe lower the price of tickets a bit?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Went with the family both before and after the change... I didn’t notice it.

I do some announcing from time to time and I almost always start with “ladies and gentlemen”... I honestly feel like such a rube if I say something like “hey everyone”.

It is what it is, but it was always quite a rush to let out an energetic “Ladies & Gentlemen, welcome to xxx”.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Churchill was right when he said that the fascists of the future will call themselves anti-fascist (assuming it is a real quote) .

And therein lies the problem.

No, it is not a real quote. Assuming anything else?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Plastic potatos, Dr Seuss cartoons and Disney theme parks.

Brave crusaders of the war on woke, rejoice!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

On ‘the risk of offending’ someone, a question for @Boku Dayo 9:13m: You took :20 minutes to ‘re-edit’ your post to change: “words” to “greetings”; include “BTW”; and, change “IMO” to “I’d say”. And, commenters made sure you got the same number of “+” & “ - “ votes. Can’t see anything ‘sensitive, controversial or arguementative’ in Your opinion. What’s up with that, Folks??

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

To clarify the points of @NagoyaChris 2:13p and** *@BobFosse 3:32p: *and their relevance to issue at hand, ‘fairness in debates’ and ‘consideration of others’ opposing ‘viewpoints:

*Churchill was right when he said that the fascists of the future will call themselves anti-fascist (assuming it is a real quote). And therein lies the problem. No, it is not a real quote.*

For him to label political opponents as “fascists” was inconceivable. However, he did call incompetence into question and think he would have said that about Clement Attlee, his socialist opposite.”

The takeaway: “*Yet, they worked to keep channels open AND were ‘mutually aligned in the nation’s interest’. There was mutual respect,* a relationship of cordiality and fairness.” - The Churchill Project re: The Churchill Documents, volume 22 (1945-51).

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Before anyone else is ‘triggered & traumatized’, “Oriental” used as a business name is perfectly correct usage as an adjective for inanimate things like land, objects, etc but. not humans. “Asians” is fine. - Let’s move on.

I had a Japanese ex who preferred being called Oriental, or East Asian, instead of Asian. She felt the term "Asian" was too vague since it included people from India, Pakistan, Indonesia, etc. who she felt didn't have much in common with East Asians, i.e. Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, Chinese, etc.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This pampering to everyones need is becoming highly annoying now, you cant say this or that just in case you might offend someone, jeees, its gone stark raving bonkers! i got a vid clip from a freind on my phone the other day, the clip has about 6 people wanting a group photo of them, so they ask the bypasser to take a picture he says, everyone say cheese, one comments sorry iam vegan, then tofu someone object, then another then lets count to 3, objection from a dyslexic person etc its on tictoc if any one wants to look.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Perhaps she was ‘an exception’? @JoeBlow 2:33p. Just curious: did ‘they’ also convey any perceive distinction from your listed ”East Asians” or, possibly, a connectivity through some religious or philosophical belief?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Disney parks are lgbtq+ supporters, they no longer serve the interests of Walt Disney when he invented the Disney characters, neither they should have children and adolescents to visit their parks. My family does not go there, they can keep their gender ideology to themselves.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Oh boy... it may have its issues like every country, but Japan is one of the few bastions left standing against the SJW plague. If they fall, all hope is lost.

...overdramatic, I know. But seriously, this got ridiculous a few years ago, and it's still getting even more ridiculous by the minute.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Now they all got their gender identities erased.

Nobody has had their gender identities erased.

But some who face no discrimination or live their lives as they always have and always will, feel ever so threatened by minor adjustments.

Boo hoo.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Jeez, @Toasted 9:50p from Mar 27 11:42am (Still trying to ‘Burn that Bush’? : ), hovering like a lost ‘girl_in_thebigcity?

Fine. We’ll Agree with you.

*Normal is archaic and, subjective. The falsehood that men, women, gender, marriage, are somehow being "erased". They aren't. Traditions are constantly changing. Change is hard for some people, but it's part of life. *

Yes, it’s a delight to see Some focusing on the important things in life, like cartoons, theme parks, monster movies. That’s’ how we found you here.

Conclusion: Conservatives, Moderates, Liberals, all share some commonality in pop culture and other, harmless diversions. It’s the ‘extremists’ that taint the water and create unnecessary divisions. - Peace.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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