Hersheypark has now made it known that not only do they allow men who self-identify as female into the women’s restrooms but also in women-only changing facilities as well.
It recently became public knowledge that Hersheypark permits people of either biological sex to use sex-specific restrooms. Pennsylvania Family Institute contacted Hersheypark and Kathleen McGraw, Director of Communications with Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, to clarify their policy and see if it extends to their waterpark changing areas as well.
Hersheypark confirmed that even though they claim to be a family-friendly park, their current policy is to allow men who self-identify as female to use both women-only bathrooms and changing facilities.
Tell Hersheypark your disappointment with their policy – to email Kathleen McGraw and other top officials, go to tinyurl.com/hersheyparksad. We call on them to recognize that biological sex is the only reason to have separate restrooms and locker rooms to begin with and ask their guests to respect the bodily privacy of others by using the facilities of their biological sex.
TAKE ACTION: tinyurl.com/hersheyparksad
Your new policy has confirmed to our family that you are no longer family friendly and child safe. Unless you change your policy, our family will not be coming to Hershey Park and will continue to warn other families of the danger. I hope you re-consider the alarming ramifications of your decision.
We usually go, as a family, to Hershey Park a few times a year. Until this new policy is changed, we will not be going to Hershey Park again. I do not want a man in the restroom or changing room with me or my 3 daughters.
I totally agree with your comment.
puking @ your lack of reason
Won’t see me or my family there until you change the policy.unreal!!!????
I used to go to Hershey Park every year with my youth group. Some very wonderful memories. I have ALWAYS said Hershey Park is the best park, a clean family park. This is a sad decision and it will no longer be a park I would go to or reccomend. What a wrong direction to take. How can someone think for a moment this is right.
Shame on you Hershey Park for sexualizing your “entertainment” park. Wait until you see the lawsuits mount up, then it will be too late. Selling your soul
Can’t find your customer service number to get a refund on our 4 season passes. Apparently you don’t have one as I asked someone who works there and they didn’t have a number. I emailed as required a week ago and never heard back. Who is running the company? #notimpressed #terriblecustomerservice #notfamilyfriendly I have two daughter who I won’t subject to your insane policy.
We requested a refund and had to wait a while to hear back, but we did get a full refund for all 6 passes we had bought, no questions asked. Keep trying.
This is absolutely wrong. Our daughter yrs ago went into the Target dressing room to bring something back and there was no attendant present. She was bringing something back that I told her she couldnt get. She might have been about 11 yrs old. At that time a man bc of it being a dressing room for men and women, exposed himself to her with the dressing room door wide open. My husband told them at that time that they have LOST our business and that was maybe 15 yrs ago. Well with this decision not to protect families, we too will not be frequenting the doors of your park. We care about our families and loved ones if you do not,.. It is a shame it is more important to be politically correct .
Oh my word!! You guys too!!
I thought for sure a family fun oriented park that our kids and now their kids have enjoyed would NOT cave into this crap!!!!
I can tell you that none of our family members will ever step foot on your property again!!!!!
Trust me and I will pass this information onto our extended family and friends who have visited your park in the past. I hope your happy with your choice on this matter!!!!
we have been visiting the park and staying at your campground for years with our kids, but now we will be going to knobles.
Isn’t Knobles owned by Hershey?
No. They are owned by the knoebels family. Thus the name.
No they are NOT owned by Hershey. They are still family owned and plan on staying that way. This is a rummor that went around a while ago.
Knoebels is owned by the Knoebels family
They are owned by Hershey also.
Knoebles is still owned by the Knoebles family.
Cater to 1/2 of 1% and lose the other 99.95. Why don’t you care about our comfort and opinion?
Driving by the park a few days ago (late May) I saw dozens of school busses lined up in the parking lot. I’m sure they were filled with hundreds of school children enjoying an end of the year field trip. Be ready for that to change, if the schools can’t insure the children’s safety while in the park. Hershey, you are making a big mistake by bowing down to “political correctness.” Gender is NOT determined by feelings. Get it right, and keep growing!
I am disappointed in your business and personal decision to place young people in harms way just because someone says they feel some way. God made us this way physically for a reason. If people make a personal choice not to honor that they do not need to infringe on our rights of privacy. Hershey corporation will lose my families business. Stop the madness
Another business caving in to a minority. Thought you’d have more sense. You’ve not only lost my park business but also candy and any other things found in stores made/produced by Hershey. Shame on you. Hope you’ve got good lawyers on retainer cause it’s only a matter of time till you’re sued.
This is just an excuse that perverts will use to get into bathrooms where they DO NOT belong!
All the commenters are ridiculous and so is the article. If you identify as a woman but were born a man, then your gender is a man. This is how the country is progressing. Get used to it. This is akin to race specific water fountains in the past. The times they are a changin’.
Sorry Mark but this is far from akin to race specific water fountains. I wok not get used to it. This is totally wrong and we will stand up for our rights
I agree with John completely
If someone is gender conflicted, then businesses can still be supporting by offering a separate bathroom option for them! And if those that object to that idea are basing it on just wanting to be with the gender they associate with… Welcome to our world!
Hershey Park just lost my business!
Jesus Nor the bible changes, just people
Finally, a voice of reason.
Mark writes — “If you identify as a woman but were born a man, then your gender is a man.” That is exactly what we are saying. Glad you agree.
Disgusting… shame I visited your park as a child but I can ensure neither of my two young girls ever will so long as this policy exists …. how bout u make a gender neutral bathroom … honestly … grown men changing in with little girls …. shameful … but yes let’s be concerned with hurting there feelings not the impressionable children’s best intrests or safety …
Thanks Hershey Park. You made my summer vacation decision easy. It will not be Hershey!
When you come around to your senses and change your policy back, then maybe I’ll come back.
Well Hershey park you lost my business I will make sure everybody I know won’t go to your park.we will give knobels are business
Hmmm the last I.check knobles is also owned by hershey so will have the same policy.
Why? This has saddened our family. We have been going to Hershey Park every spring for years. If you keep this immoral policy in place, we are going to take our business elsewhere. We are from south central PA and not a long drive for us and our friends. We will continue to let others know about your unsafe policy. It is hard enough to keep facilities safe for families, but now, you have taken any law/rules that can be enforced to keep everyone safe. Please, reconsider.
Nope refuse to bring my grandchildren to the park. My granddaughter who is now 7 does NOT need to see that in the restroom….Nor will I subject her to that.
I’ve been a faithful visitor to your Park every summer for 20 years I will never enter the Gates Again that’s ridiculous men need to stay in their own bathrooms God made man and woman there is no such thing as transgender it’s fake
Paul you can call something fake just because you don’t agree with it . I’m not gonna call your God fake just because I don’t belive in him.
rel·a·tiv·ism
ˈrelədəˌvizəm/
noun
the doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute.
Bye! Maybe I won’t have to wait so long to ride the Laugh Track this year. You all realize you’ve been Shari g restrooms with “men” who identify as “women” forever.
Maybe we have, who knows , but this is opening the door for pedophiles and perverts and rapists to claim they are transgender and invade women’s restrooms and changing rooms for their sick agendas. Lawsuits will be coming soon. but at the expense of a child’s or woman’s safety.
I agree with that. So why politicize it now and make it into something it never was? This has nothing to do with human rights but everything to do with pushing specific agenda. since transgender groups had already been using the restrooms, this is an obvious attack to quench the family unit and any conservative value during an election year. It’s not the transgender community I fear but the flood gates which we open for the sexual deviants to use at their discretion because we do not know how to have a backbone in our country anymore. Right is right and wrong is wrong. We need to get in the habit of doing that which is right, not easy!
I want to pee in private, will not be purchasing tickets for your park this year nor ever again.
Shame on you Hershey! I want to pee in private or change in private.. Never ever coming back again
I am a Pastor from Northampton county. I will be sharing this information with other pastors and urging them to mention from the pulpit that Hershey is not a wholesome or family friendly environment. Sorry but our wives and daughters come first. Milton Hershey must be spinning in his grave right now. Shame on you
I will be sharing this with my pastor as well. Hershey park you lost my business. Trans gender is a mental illness and your disgusting for pretty much forcing others to deal with it
Mr. Hershey would not be happy. I use to love going to your park. I will not be back. I have granddaughter’s and I don’t want them exposed to a small minority of mentally ill people.
Wow is these any where our children can go an be safe especially our children with special needs that may be easy pray for these wanta be people that just clams to be the other sex just to get these rockers off
Could get discounted tickets from work next week. When first seen the fliers around work thought ok ill get some. I refuse to go to Hershey park now to please a m ok minority to share a restroom to make others uncomfortable in any means possible. Made my summer plans an easier decision. Sure isn’t going to be Hershey park!!
My kids & I will be getting our money’s worth out of our season passes. However, we will not be using the restrooms or changing areas or purchasing anything extra while at the park. We live clise enough that when the need of food or bathrooms arise we can just go home. There is a reason there are Family bathrooms. Until the policy changes I will not be spending $400+ for passes in the future.
You can get a refund on your season passes
I have three season passes and would like a refund. Did you go into the box office to get a refund?
Easy solution…make a transgender restroom/changing area…you have plenty of money to do so. I will not take the chance that my daughters would be exposed to things they do not need to see. I believe in equal rights but i also believe in privacy and the right not to expose your children to the opposite sex’s genitalia. Some trangender people will use the facilities appropriately however there are some people that will take full advantage of your new policy for their own sick pleasure. It’s such a shame that even a family friendly place can’t put families first. I’ve been coming to the park since i was a little girl and then I’ve been bringing my children ever since they could enjoy it…coming to concerts..staying at the camp ground..ect ect and I will not take the chance or put them at risk so unfortunately we will have to find another place to enjoy family vacations. I hope you rethink your policy to give peace of mind to families and maintain the safety of our children.
I will not be going to Hershey Park again! Anyone can say they now identify as a woman and be lurking in the restrooms waiting for kids to come in! A perverts dream come true!
My husband does not change in front of our 3 pre teen daughters and I will not allow another man or boy do so either! I guess we will take them to Busch Gardens.
Knoebels, here we come.
So in order to please the less than 1% of the nation that believes they are “transgender” you are willing to turn your backs on the rights of the rest of us?! NO WAY I’m letting my girls in the same changing room with men! A sad time for this country. I will protect my children at all costs. Thank God for my 2nd ammendment right!
I am very disappointed in Hersheypark in their decision to allow people to use which bathroom/changing room they most identify with. They better be ready to install single use restrooms and changing rooms because this screams lawsuit!!
So sad!!! We are so very close to your park and visit and spend lots over the summer. So very disappointed in your choice.
We will no longer be coming to the park or Cholocate world. My family of 5 has been coming to the park for years. They have always wanted to go to Kings Dominion. A new traditiom has begun as we will be going to Kings Dominion starting this summer. I will not subject my little girl’s to facilities where men are allowed to roam freely.
Yup I am done with Hershey as a whole. Will not be back to the park nor will I attend any events at the stadium. We had tickets for an event at the end of June. I’ll eat the loss. As for Hershey candy, which I loved and supported as a local Pennsylvania company, say good bye. Hello M&M Mars. Support the 1% lose the 99%.
I’m personally going to make a point of spending my time and money at Hershey this year! Beyond Pennsylvania proud of this company for such a move.
You’re more at risk from old men and priests than you will ever be from someone who identifies as the opposite gender then which they were born . The plane ignorance and lack of scientific belief astounds me from you people .
Plain*
Sorry, Jessica, but your logic doesn’t hold water. This policy has opened a new can of worms. Now all the pedophiles can use the excuse that they identify as female and they are allowed in to the women’s restrooms and changing rooms. And, since it is “self-determination”, they can’t be questioned. Enjoy the empty park. Lines won’t be long for you.
Trans people are peaceful people, the problem is the men who “claim” to be identify as a women so they can get to the kids. Why are you unable to grasp this very simple concept?
I have went to your park since I was a little girl. Took my daughters trick or treating there for years. I will never again step foot in your park. Sad that I can’t enjoy memories with my daughters like I did growing up with my family. I will not put my daughters in a position to be looked at or messed with from some sick person with other intentions. No more chocolate factory ever again. Goodbye Hershey
I usually don’t comment on the things that I read but today I have to. Being a Christian I have recently lost faith in the American people because of everything that is going on today in this world. I have never been to your park nor will I ever go. I have a seven year old granddaughter whom I love with all my heart and I would never subject her to this kind of experience. God made me the way He wanted me to be so why should I try to change it. Though I’m not perfect He is.
AMEN!!
it is sad but true that this has to take place at somewhere where families come to enjoy time together. Our society has made it socially acceptable to do things like this. the only wayt to change it is to fight back. Boycott there park and products put a hurt on what matters to the owners of Hershey Park and Hershey Foods as well as other entities with the Hershey name. Maybe if there profits and stock prices take a nose dive the will wise up.
Amen
My girls are just getting old enough to enjoy amusement parks, we were planning on taking them this summer but we will no longer be going until this crazy policy is changed. My girls safety is worth much more than a day of fun. Very disappointed with the company. We pray that God would turn the hearts of the corrupt to Him.
Funny how people freak out about this… Tell me again how many trans have violated kids?!? Tell me how many Republicans, Priests, Coaches, Scout Leaders, and the like did stuff to kids of the same gender?!?
Get over yourselves. There’s bigger things to be worried about in this world.
You’re missing the point, most people are not against “trans gender” people. The outrage is that if you say you’re transgender you can get in that bathroom or changing room, no questions asked. What do you think pedophiles are going to do with that accessibility? Noone is saying transgender people are the threat, but the door that’s been opened will cause a threat, what sense does that make? How about offering a single bathroom for anyone who is uncomfortable using one that’s their assigned gender. There are family restrooms like that many places, Hershey could simply appeal to transgender people by offering that option. We should respect all walks of life, but not at the expense of other’s safety, it’s that simple.
It’s not about transgendered people Scott. It’s about the child molesters who “identify” as a woman so they can get close to the kids!! Use your brain and stop denying reality!!
Its not about “Trans”. Nobody cares if a man wants to wear a dress!! The problem is that this opens the door for men who are sexual predators, to now pretend to be trans and a free walk into womens area! Its called creating a safety issue!! Has Nothing to do with trans!!
Wait until a full grown man comes into the changing room while your naked daugjter or wife is there. How do you think your going to feel while he casually exposes himself to them???
So then everyone is against adults in general being in the same restroom or changing room or such that little kids can also be in?
There are bigger fish to fry in this world. No law is going to prevent a pervo from doing his or her thing. Be vigilant, but don’t discriminate against those who just need to do their business or such,
I make no claims that Transgender are molesting children, but are you gonna tell me that it is ok for 5 year old girls to see a strangers penis in public. People get arrested for that. Why not just make the water park clothing optional. Think about it. We’re not talking about bathrooms with stalls and doors, we are taking about dressing rooms where people are completely exposed.
This is a a shame that they would stoop this low. I will not be going their ever again unless they change their way of think. Its not family oriented its all about the money I guess. The businesses and government have to stop this forcing the transgender on us . Wheres our rights?
I am sp disappointed in Hershey – supposedly a family oriented park. Add a couple new restrooms and label them PERVERTS ONLY and women and children will be safer. God help you for going the way of the world.
I will no longer bring my family to your park….I don’t let any men change in front of my granddaughters so a strange man doing it isa deff NO!!!!!
Good luck with a wrong a move….
Where are my children’s rights? You have lost a very loyal customer!!
If a man wants to identify as a woman, that’s fine. I don’t agree with it, but to each “his” own. However, if a grown man who identifies himself as a woman, yet has not received a gender reassignment procedure, is permitted to use a female changing room, then I’m supposed to be content with the possibility of my 8 year old and 3 year old daughters catching a glimpse of the said grown man’s genitals?! To Hershey Entertainment & Resorts: If you want to cater to this movement because it’s politically correct and, “times are a changin’,” as it was mentioned in a previous post, that’s fine, also. But, do not threaten the integrity of my family because “you” want to influence your bottom dollar. I say, establish and provide areas and changing rooms for transgender individuals in order to avoid potentially problematic issues that may effect your business, service and your bottom dollar!
Well Hershey Park, shame on you!! We have been season pass holders for 5 yrs now, my whole family! Guess what…. No more! Very disappointed in this decision!
I contacted Hershey Park as soon as they published this info. I let them know how disappointed I was in them. They stated they want everyone to be comfortable and safe, employees and guest. I asked them about my comfort and safety because I didn’t feel comfortable or safe because of this new policy. I guess I don’t matter to them! They didn’t seem to care about me! They let me know I could use the private family restroom! I’m so angry but also angry at so many others who think this is ok. Children should not be exposed to this!
I’ve been watching their stocks thinking of buying someday. They are down and now instead of buying at low prices I’m saying,”YEA!!” Maybe now they will see and change their policies. I’m sick and tired of losing my rights because someone decides they need to cater to a tiny group of people, in this case a group of “confused” people. Well now I’m confused, but in an entirely different way!
I just received two tickets for my husband and I to go! Since we don’t live far I’ll go but I’m not spending any extra money there! I will go enjoy the park and it’ll be the last time! If I have to use the restroom I’ll just go with my husband into the boys room where he can stand watch outside my stall because that’s obiviously where things are at now!; I understand they have to make everyone happy but Hershey you would have been better off building a few sets of gender neutral bathrooms then putting family’s at risk! I am advising any family and friends with young children to go elsewhere because their children deserve protection!
I’m so glad to see that so many people will be boycotting Hershey Park. This means that the lines will be much shorter for those of us who are not closed-minded bigots.
Just wrong. I will not explain to my 3 and 4 yr old grand daughters what a penis is and why they are the same as a vagina. That’s why in the same changing room. Wait that’s right. They are not the same..ugh… so disappointed
not sure what the park is trying to prove by engaging with those suffering from a mental condition. i will vote against this policy with my wallet, because that clearly is the only logic they will understand. plenty of other parks to support.
We go to Hershey Park every year with our four daughter’s. Unfortunately, we won’t be going this year or in the future due to the new bathroom/changing facilities policy. Sorry the fun is not worth the risk to our girls.