Would You Go?????????

[leigh.bess.toad]

Most of you know that I've been out a bit over a year and have the most wonderful bf I could ever imagine. We are always looking for places to get away nearby for a weekend getaway. We're going to Williamsburg for Valentine's Day. DC this weekend (don't expect galleries to be up as usual).

 

But today, I saw an offer for a good deal on a getaway (through Groupon) to Virginia Beach. Nice place. Supposedly very romantic. The Hotel has an indoor pool and hot tub. So would you go?

 

Oh, btw, the place is The Founder's Inn. Pat Robertson's place. Think they'd mind an old gay couple walking their grounds holding hands?

 

So would you go?

[jjkrkwood]

I would do a bit of research on the place. Nothing kills a romantic get-a-way faster than being a fish out of water, and feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.

 

but it does sound delite-ful, and they say "Virginia is for Lovers"...... Pack your best nitey.....

[+ Travis69]

http://www.tidesinn.com/ Another suggestion in your general area. No way in hell would I support anything dealing with Pat Robertson.

[wayout]

Personally, I wouldn't go as I wouldn't want any of my hard earned money to end up in any way or amount in the pockets of Pat Robertson.

[+ sf westcoaster]

NO, no, no! I would stay home before I gave Robertson any of my money!

[leigh.bess.toad]

But isn't it worthwhile first to show them a happy, well-adjusted gay couple or if they aren't willing to see that, at least to get under their skin and annoy the hell out of them. BTW, no overt acts of PDA would be committed except for holding hands and walking arm in arm -- nothing anyone could ever complain about.

[jjkrkwood]

But isn't it worthwhile first to show them a happy, well-adjusted gay couple or if they aren't willing to see that, at least to get under their skin and annoy the hell out of them. BTW, no overt acts of PDA would be committed except for holding hands and walking arm in arm -- nothing anyone could ever complain about.

 

Believe me, it can be a horrendous experience IF you are not welcome there. Not to mention dangerous depending on the degree of Hatred.

[+ Travis69]

If you want to show them a well-adjusted couple and get under their skin go to one of their church services and sit in the front pew. DO NOT under any circumstances go to their resort and add money to their organization. Actually as the collection plate goes around take a few bucks out!!!! Leave a note saying you need the money to buy a new cock ring for your partner.

[justaguy]

Lee, no matter what you do they're not going to see a "happy, well-adjusted gay couple." By their definition, that beast doesn't exist. Don't make this any kind of political or social statement, just go to a place you can do what you want to do (in public, that would be a qualified statement) and enjoy time with your boyfriend.

[shadowcatzxxx]

I would triple and raise the previous recommendations and requests: do NOT under any circumstances, give those f%$#@&$ any money, and do NOT either expose yourself unnecessarily to bigotry or frequent a place where you need to be closeted with your BF!! For heavens' sakes, there are enough gay-owned and gay-friendly resorts around the world ... and even enough gay-owned little B&B's in otherwise neutral territory that you should choose one of them and help support the partners in the struggle, rather than the enemy. I'm not suggesting that you should feel you need to restrict yourself to super-gay (and often expensive) metropoli (is that the plural of metropolis?) like Miami-Ft Lauderdale or SF ... but at least stay with friendly, welcoming people. Personally, as I have limited time to vacation, and as there are an unlimited number of places to take those vacations, I always narrow the list a bit by choosing friendly venues.

[leigh.bess.toad]

First of all, thanks to all for the comments. I had never really considered the idea of giving money to the enemy, which Pat Robertson certainly is. I was actually taken aback a bit by Groupon even offering a deal from a place such as that. I certainly don't need to be closeted. In the last year, I have discovered how truly dark and lonely my closet was and I have no intention of ever going back. Maybe I have the fervor of an novitiate and wouldn't mind being in the face without screaming at people such as this which I guess is what drove the question.

 

Groupon does have a place to ask a question to be asked of the merchant, and so I did. I sort of not expected a response but it has been posted for all to see. "Are gays, lesbians, and unmarried couples welcomed?" And the answer was "Yes. We do not discriminate any guests' affiliations; we welcome all guests."

 

Obviously bf would have equal (ok more) say on whether we go. BF has been out all his adult life so I do tend to push a bit more activist role than he. He doesn't feel the need. Volunteering at the community center, working with SAGE committees (with his ex-partner who is very supportive of us).

 

Again, thanks to all for helping this newbie gay man still trying to find his way in this brave new world.

[+ purplekow]

I think that it is great that you want to be an example of a well adjusted gay couple, since that is who you are. Perhaps though, a romantic weekend with the bf should be just that, without political overtones and without trying to change the world one resort at a time.

Well adjusted gay couples occasionally bicker and argue, as do all well adjusted couples. Now suppose while away, your BF really pisses you off, would you stifle your reaction lest you portray gay couples as bitter harridans carping on and on about minor offenses. I say go somewhere where you are not an example of a gay couple but rather somewhere you are a couple who incidently are gay. Love, argue, hold hands and be comfortable in your own skin. Stay away from Pat, you will not be yourself there. The fact that you asked the question pretty much confirms that.

[+ Charlie]

Why do you want to go to Virginia Beach? At this time of year it is really pretty grim, and it doesn't offer much to do for gays at anytime--or at least it didn't when my parents lived there and I used to visit them regularly. The beach is nice enough in the summer, but the nightlife is heavily tilted toward young heterosexual singles. In the winter even many of the restaurants are closed.

 

As for Robertson, the locals seemed to pretty much ignore him, and he them, as far as I could tell. My mother's best friend lived across the street from his headquarters, yet seemed unaware of his existence.

[Justpaul22]

i personally wouldn't go without a shotgun and a 12pack of coors light because thats pretty much the type of people you will find in virginia beach. I am from NC and the beaches here are way more romantic. check out morehead city and before area I'm sure there is a little bed and breakfast place that would be a nice romantic time!

[+ deej]

This time of year, Virginia Beach CAN be (but isn't always) a great bargain. The winter is often quite mild and the place tends to be deserted, so hotels are cheap and there aren't the great throngs of people that crowd the place in the summer.

 

(Strolls on the beach can be relaxing even in chilly weather.)

 

I actually stayed at Pat Robertson's place (not of my doing) roughly 20 years ago. A friend who is a Jew was with us, and she was more freaked out than I was. One day we heard the beep-beep-beep of a truck backing up and she looked around in panic saying "It's the Jew On Board alarm!".

 

Virginia Beach? Yeah, sure. Good value this time of year. Get a room right on the beach.

 

Pat Robertson's facility? When hell freezes over.

[leigh.bess.toad]

Again, thanks for all the input guys. First, why VA Beach? It's just a couple of hours from home and it makes a quick weekend getaway very easy. We like to get away by ourselves so a quick overnight trip to places like Williamsburg, DC or VaBeach works. Hell, we've even just stayed at a nice hotel or two in town just to get away completely from our world and focus on ourselves. But walks on the beach, even in March can be nice.

 

Second, PK, maybe we are unusual. But in the 7 months we've been together, we've never had so much as one cross word between us so the chances of a tiff are remote at best.

 

But one point raised sort of made me think. Are there any gay-owned B&B's anywhere nearby? In DC? Is there a website that lists gay-owned or gay-friendly B&B's or small hotels like that. That's one reason I do enjoy staying at Kimptons because I do feel very welcome there. Although not gay-owned they are very gay supportive and that does make me feel more comfortable. This weekend, we are staying at one of the Kimptons in DC. But are there places like gay-owned B&B's in the area as well? Just wondering. Again, thanks for all the input and comments. I really appreciate it.

[Greathands]

I've used www.purpleroofs.com in the past. A lot of their listings are "gay friendly", but a lot are also gay owned.

 

There is another site, www.gaybedandbreakfast.com, but I have not found them to be useful.

[happyguy2]

I admire you greatly Lee, you have accomplished more in a little over a year than I have in my forty-something lifetime. But even after reading everything you wrote, I would never go to a place like that!