RIPTIDE AT TYPHOON LAGOON TO HONOR GAY AND LESBIAN MILITARY MEMBERS DURING GAY ORLANDO WEEKEND

Admin — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 18:24:43 GMT

Event donating 250 tickets to honor those who are serving and/or have served

Let’s Go Play, the producers of RipTide at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon during Gay Orlando Week, have announced today that in celebration of the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell this past year, they will be donating 250 free tickets to be distributed to service men and women who are serving or have served our country. This year’s event is on June 3, 2011 from 8:00 pm – 2:00 am.

“In appreciation to all gay and lesbian military personnel, we want to pay tribute to our active, retired, and ‘unfairly
discharged’ service men and women…we want them to enjoy a night of revelry along with 6,000 other men and
women from around the world without having to worry about who is watching…maybe for the first time,” says
Michael Christ of Let’s Go Play.

Let’s Go Play is working with OutServe.org, an underground network of LGBT men and women actively serving in
the military. With 40 chapters and 2,700 members worldwide OutServe will distribute the free tickets through their
network to gay and lesbian active-duty members.

OutServe worked publicly for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," as well as behind the scenes with the Pentagon and
the Obama White House. Jonathan Hopkins, a 2001 West Point graduate and highly-decorated veteran of three
combat tours, serves as OutServe spokesperson since he was discharged under DADT in August. "We still have a lot
of work to do, but our troops deserve a celebration for all they have sacrificed - especially GLB troops who have
borne the additional burden of hiding their lives," said Hopkins. "We thank Let’s Go Play for recognizing their
service." Hopkins's story was highlighted by President Obama at the signing of the repeal bill.

What began as a small group of 75 internet friends from around the country who decided to meet the first weekend
of June of 1991 in Orlando and wear red shirts so they would recognize each other now sees over 150,000 gay and
lesbian visitors each year. The week, not just at the “largest theme park in the world” any longer, includes many
events in multiple theme parks and venues throughout the Orlando area which will cater to the gay and lesbian
community for this one week.

“As a former service member and an openly gay man, of course I was elated to hear of the end of DADT this past
year” said Terry DeCarlo “I thank the Let’s Go Play staff for their generosity, and I look forward to spending a great
night alongside some of the gay men and women, who like myself, gave up a portion of their life to defend
everyone’s freedoms and our country”

In addition to donating these tickets to OutServe, Let’s Go Play 2011 works closely with, and donates a portion of
each ticket sale to, three HIV/AIDS charities; Broward House in Ft. Lauderdale, plus Miracle of Love and Hope &
Help in Orlando because we love the tireless work they do on a daily basis for our HIV/AIDS community. This was
just an extension of our appreciation to those that have never been honored for fighting the fight…not only for our
country’s Freedom but also for our individual Freedom to love who we love without fear.

We look forward to celebrating with our service men and women at this year’s event. For more information on the
event, please visit www.letsgoplay2011.com or on facebook at www.facebook.com/letsgoplay

Gay Orlando Blog

RIPTIDE AT TYPHOON LAGOON TO HONOR GAY AND LESBIAN MILITARY MEMBERS DURING GAY ORLANDO WEEKEND