Gay, Disabled, Transexual Love Story Heads to Southport

[Natasha]

Gay, Disabled, Transexual Love Story Heads to Southport


http://www.lgf.org.uk/news/812/495/Gay-Disabled-Transexual-Love-Story-Heads-to-Southport/
10/29/2008

A play that won rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe is heading to
Southport. The play, 'A (Gay Disabled Transexual) Love Story Told to a
Ticket Inspector at Alton Towers' is showing as part of Sefton's
Diversity Week. The performance of this highly acclaimed play will
take place at Studio Southport Art Centre on Tuesday the 4th of
November.

The play is based on a true story and was inspired by an incident that
happened to it's Producer - Robert Softley - when he and his partner
decided to visit Alton Towers. The pair were refused entry to the
famous theme park because they are disabled. The couple were told that
because they were not being accompanied by an able-bodied person, it
would be against the park's policy to allow them on to any rides.

[Nero]

The park was right to refuse them. Amusement parks can be dangerous for abled persons. Remember that kid that got decapitated some months ago?
The park was looking out for their safety.

[Lokaeign]

True as far as it goes--if the rides weren't safe for them to use, then obviously it would be wrong and irresponsible for the park to let them in.  One might ask, though, if that's really the case.  If they would have been allowed in with an ab carer, this suggests that at least some of the entertainment would be suitable for people with their disabilities, and raises questions about accessibility and the park's responsibility towards disabled visitors.  Also, this:

The couple remained at the park's gates for three hours, arguing their case. They highlighted the disparity between the UK and the USA, where they had visited theme parks without any problems. Eventually park management allowed the couple entry

..suggests that their disability wasn't actually an obstacle to them enjoying the park safely in the long run.