It started with a conservative author, Joy Pullman, on The Federalist recommending potential patrons of Walt Disney World go to Dollywood instead. Here’s an excerpt of the article:
Dollywood used none of the high-pressure Disney manipulation tactics that upset me so much. There were no characters with backstories and gobs of branded merch, no forgettable and ear-shriveling pop tunes autotuned by embarrassingly sexualized tweens, no morally bankrupt but doe-eyed heroines trying to steal my daughters’ souls. Just good, clean fun.
Unfortunately, that then led to a not-insignificant number of authors weighing in with the opposing view, but a tactic that goes too far. Rather than just disagreeing, authors like Jon Jackson of Newsweek decided to deride Mrs. Pullman by claiming that Dolly Parton is a queer icon. The implication is that Dolly Parton is also in favor of sex orientation and gender theory being taught to kindergartners. It’s simply a bridge too far and it attempts to speak on behalf of Mrs. Parton. Perhaps she does hold that viewpoint, perhaps she doesn’t. Perhaps those who are opposed to Disney’s politicization should go to Dollywood and perhaps they shouldn’t. Perhaps being against corporate politicization and classroom instruction of controversial topics is akin to being against homosexuality and perhaps the two positions are not directly opposed. Whatever the case may be, pulling Dolly Parton into an issue she hasn’t discussed seems presumptuous. Worse, it pulls another neutral entertainment option into the debate… a place that these venues likely do not belong at all.
Also, anyone who's ever been to Dollywood knows that it's just as much an arena of gay camp beloved by the queer community as it is a park embraced by conservative Christians.
— Grace Segers (@Grace_Segers) April 8, 2022
An “arena of gay camp”? I don’t even know what that means, but it sounds religious and I don’t like it. I don’t like this assumption that everyone of every persuasion all must feel the same way. Do all conservative Christians love Dollywood? I bet not. Do all gay persons love Dollywood? I bet not. This game of identity politics removes the individual from the equation, while also presuming it can speak for people who have not taken any position. It’s all gross and smacks of narcissism.
Here’s a better idea, everyone. Leave the theme parks alone. Are you part of the LGBTQAI+ crowd and want to enjoy Dollywood, Disney or Universal Studios? Great, go and have fun! Are you part of Mormonism and want to find a great place for roller coasters? Cool — go have fun at one of the aforementioned theme parks! But let’s drop having these theme parks be forced to agree with your personal political positions. Enough of it! We need places where all of that is sat to the side for a while and everyone is welcome. Not every place should be a territory to claim by your ideology and that seems to certainly include theme parks.
In other words: leave Dollywood alone, all of you. Leave Universal Studios alone, all of you. Disney has already went in one direction and it seems to me that clearly isn’t going well for being a place for everyone.
For all the latest thoughts on things that should be fun, keep checking out That Park Place. If you feel the same as I, or if you disagree, feel free to let us know in the comments down below!
