Gay Day

A local LGBT group plans a day at Castles and Coasters amusement park.

By Alexis Getscher

Gay Day at Castles and Coasters planned by H.E.R.O.

Staging a Gay Day at a Phoenix amusement park is part of a local LGBT organization's effort to reach a broader audience.

The event planned by Human and Equal Rights Organizers (H.E.R.O.) will be Dec. 17 at Castles ‘N Coasters.

"There's been Gay Day at Disneyland forever, why can't we have a little theme park action?" said Stephanie Stewart, a recent addition to the H.E.R.O. steering committee and the group's fundraising chair. "It's always bar events or late nights ... so I'm like ‘let's do Castles 'N Coasters.'"

Those attending with a discount coupon from the event's Facebook page will receive unlimited rides, including the park's newest attractions — On the Ropes, a balancing obstacle course, and Sky Wire, a zip line that goes across the miniature golf course.

The event is the first H.E.R.O. has done at Castles and Coasters, but Stewart said the group is considering more social events in the future. She said such events are a good way to unify the community.

"We're doing a lot of upcoming educational programs and nobody really knows about it unless they come to our town hall," Stewart said. "But if you came to say, Castles and Coasters, I'm going to have paperwork for you to know that we have a nine month program coming up next year, or a weekend camp for leadership and empowerment skills."

H.E.R.O. will have a table at the park where guests can purchase shirts, pick up information about upcoming events and converse with committee members.

"My main goal in coming on with H.E.R.O. ... is to get people to get out, mingle, cross communicate and cross organize, which is super important in a city like this," Stewart said.

It is suggested that those attending wear red to signify that they are there for the event.

"It's going to be a great day, it's going to be fun, and hopefully it can be bigger next year and become a big annual event," Stewart said.

H.E.R.O. routinely sponsors Guerrilla Gay Bar, where members of the community converge on a typically heterosexual establishment. The group also teams with the City of Phoenix for Graffiti Busters, a program that removes graffiti from downtown streets.

Both Guerrilla Gay Bar and Graffiti Busters are conducted quarterly, with the next outings occurring in January.

For more information on H.E.R.O., visit www.herophoenix.com. -E

VITAL STATISTICS

Gay Day at Castles and Coasters
sponsored by Human and Equal Rights Organizers
2-11 p.m. Dec. 17
9445 N. Metro Parkway East, Phoenix
Admission: $20 with coupon available on Facebook page www.facebook.com/events/131293806970754/