Mystery Meat Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 Is it okay to insert homosexual themes into Children's programming?
Storm Rider Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 It all depends on the context. However, I am really tired of having so much of media focused on the single topic. We live in a time of unending problems and I just don't see why this one is so much more important than everything else. Further, I reject the rose colored glasses that the media demands that society see when this topic is discussed. The extremely narrow view that it is only about two people that desperately love one another, but are denied rights by the an overbearing religious zealotry of the ignorant political right is dishonest. We don't discuss how the very practice of this lifestyle affects one's health. We don't discuss the morality of this segment of society in any context except that it is about love. It is not about love and never has been. It is about rights and how society can acknowledge the rights of individuals, but all members of society should not be forced to condone a lifestyle, a community, that is so focused on instant gratification. This is a group that has evolved a culture that in many ways is absolutely detrimental to health and happiness. Yeah, I guess I vote I would ignore the show for my grandchildren. 2
Danzo Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 My Children don't watch the Disney channel anyway.
why me Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 Children are being exposed to homosexuality by other television programming. The media is full of actors that play homosexual characters. It is impossible to shield children from such themes. The best thing to do is for the parent to have a discussion with the child about homosexuality.
rodheadlee Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 Children are being exposed to homosexuality by other television programming. The media is full of actors that play homosexual characters. It is impossible to shield children from such themes. The best thing to do is for the parent to have a discussion with the child about homosexuality.That's no kidding but you could replace the word homosexuality with sexuality. I happened to watch the Grammys for the first time in many years. What a disgusting display of sexuality right from the starting gun at 7pm in my TV viewing area. It led up to a wedding where many SSM were wedded before the camera with Queen Latifa and Madonna presiding. We just bought our TV right after Christmas. It was our first TV since 2006. What a waste of money. Between that and the news pounding at you for 24/7 I'm ready to repair that TV with a baseball bat. 2
thesometimesaint Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 A DVR and a CD player works better than that baseball bat.
Buzzard Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 I am guessing that this topic was sparked by the op-ed done by a gay activist who said Disney SHOULD have a love story between two princesses. Luckily, Disney is actually playing with real money, so has no current plans to make such a movie. Kind of like "Gay Day" at Disney World, it doesn't really exist, it's just a date picked by gay groups, Disney doesn't even acknowledge the day, just takes their $$$ and looks the other way.
california boy Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 It all depends on the context. However, I am really tired of having so much of media focused on the single topic. We live in a time of unending problems and I just don't see why this one is so much more important than everything else. Further, I reject the rose colored glasses that the media demands that society see when this topic is discussed. The extremely narrow view that it is only about two people that desperately love one another, but are denied rights by the an overbearing religious zealotry of the ignorant political right is dishonest. We don't discuss how the very practice of this lifestyle affects one's health. We don't discuss the morality of this segment of society in any context except that it is about love. It is not about love and never has been. It is about rights and how society can acknowledge the rights of individuals, but all members of society should not be forced to condone a lifestyle, a community, that is so focused on instant gratification. This is a group that has evolved a culture that in many ways is absolutely detrimental to health and happiness. Yeah, I guess I vote I would ignore the show for my grandchildren. There is a lot about gay marriage in the media right now because there are those that still think it is ok to deny gays their civil rights. The exact same thing happened when blacks were struggling to obtain their civil rights as well. I remember when "Black Power", the Black Panthers Martin Luther King, protests and marches was on the news nightly. Even the Olympics in Mexico in 1968 was politically charged with this issue. Yeah I got kinda tired of it all as well. But when the south and those in the rest of the country that thought blacks should be treated as second class citizens finally started to integrate blacks into their community and give them equal rights (through federal law) things finally started to settle down. Black Power, Black is Beautiful, etc are almost a thing of the past. If you want the nightly gay marriage discussion to go away, then work toward gays have their equal rights. The same is somewhat true with black characters in tv shows. I remember it was a big deal that a sitcom added a "black" character. They stood out. People were disturbed with it. Now, it is not even thought about. Blacks are just a part of the fabric of our country. I disagree with you that we don't talk about immorality and it's effects on the gay community. Who hasn't hasn't heard of the effects of aids? Who hasn't heard that some gays have multiple sex partners? The problem you are having is that we don't talk about the gay lifestyle any more than we talk about the straight lifestyle. Immorality, sexual disease and multiple partners exist in both "lifestyles". I think the problem you are having is you want to vilify the gay lifestyle more than you want to vilify the straight lifestyle. Otherwise you wouldn't have just called out the immorality in the gay lifestyle, You would have called out the immorality of BOTH lifestyles. Your statement comes from a place of prejudice. It is completely hypercritical of you to demand that gays not marry and then complain that they have less stable relationships. What the heck do you expect from such a stance. What kind of immorality would be increased if straights were not allowed to marry. 3
rockpond Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 I said "undecided" because the question is a little vague. I don't let my kids watch shows with sexuality as a theme. But, I would not be opposed to my kids watching, for example, a show like Modern Family where a loving committed gay couple is shown raising a daughter. To be clear, I'm not saying that there is no objectionable content on Modern Family (there has been and my kids don't watch it). I'm just saying that the lifestyle of the gay couple is not something I would want to keep from my kids. My kids attend family reunions with my lesbian aunts & their wives. And, from having talked with gay youth in the church, it seems that gay kids would benefit from having good role models. 1
EllenMaksoud Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 It is well established that there is an organized effort to advance gay causes through the media 2
rockpond Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 It is well established that there is an organized effort to advance gay causes through the media I think that there are organized efforts to advance all kinds of causes through the media. 1
Daniel2 Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 (edited) It's already happened... Edited February 3, 2014 by Daniel2
Mystery Meat Posted February 3, 2014 Author Posted February 3, 2014 It's already happened... Thanks for that. Any word on how the show is faring?
Daniel2 Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 (edited) Thanks for that. Any word on how the show is faring?The series has been one of Disney's biggest hits. It is in its final year of taping, and the producers waited until the second - to - last episode to include the lesbian parents, presumably as a statement they knew wouldn't affect the show, given the timing of its placement.ABC Family just debuted the second season of a series called "The Fosters" which centers around an interracial lesbian couple and their ethnically diverse children. It is being produced by Jennifer Lopez and stars some DISNEY Channel alumns: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/entertainment/2013/05/28/jennifer-lopezs-lesbian-tv-drama-fosters-to-finally-premiere/ Edited February 3, 2014 by Daniel2
mormonnewb Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 I said "undecided" because the question is a little vague. I don't let my kids watch shows with sexuality as a theme. But, I would not be opposed to my kids watching, for example, a show like Modern Family where a loving committed gay couple is shown raising a daughter. To be clear, I'm not saying that there is no objectionable content on Modern Family (there has been and my kids don't watch it). I'm just saying that the lifestyle of the gay couple is not something I would want to keep from my kids. My kids attend family reunions with my lesbian aunts & their wives. And, from having talked with gay youth in the church, it seems that gay kids would benefit from having good role models.Just out of curiosity, what was the objectionable content in Modern Family?
The Nehor Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 So there is hope for my script about a homosexual single father struggling with bisexuality, his heterosexual incestuous parents, his career in the Secret Service protecting an ex-President's harridan wife, and his pansexual teenage daughter who is trying to balance her school and personal life. It also includes a robot bent on the destruction of guppies and an evil cult trying to awaken Cthulhu through human sacrifice and orgiastic rites?I am off to Hollywood. 2
Daniel2 Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 (edited) So there is hope for my script about a homosexual single father struggling with bisexuality, his heterosexual incestuous parents, his career in the Secret Service protecting an ex-President's harridan wife, and his pansexual teenage daughter who is trying to balance her school and personal life. It also includes a robot bent on the destruction of guppies and an evil cult trying to awaken Cthulhu through human sacrifice and orgiastic rites?I am off to Hollywood.That would be a first! About time Hollywood got an LDS writer/producer. Edited February 3, 2014 by Daniel2 1
Popular Post David T Posted February 3, 2014 Popular Post Posted February 3, 2014 (edited) I don't see anything wrong at all with that Good Luck Charlie scene. It's not about sex, sexuality isn't even an issue. When two hetero parents are shown, the scene isn't necessarily about sex. Two Moms and Two Dads is a reality of life. Kids encounter it. No value was presented on the show except "this happens" - your kid may be friends with a kid with two moms and two dads. That is true. Note the kid didn't even note it, double-take, talk about, or anything. She was just excited her friend was there. The question above in the OP is loaded. I 'm not interested in kids shows where sexuality in general is a theme. Dora The Explorer has parents, and new babies show up. That doesn't mean it's introducing kids to sexuality as a theme. Edited February 3, 2014 by David T 5
David T Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 About time Hollywood got an LDS writer/producer. Hollywood did, and we got this!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvxqnQmahTAMORE MORMONS IN HOLLYWOOD PLEASE!
Buzzard Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 (edited) I don't see anything wrong at all with that Good Luck Charlie scene. It's not about sex, sexuality isn't even an issue. When two hetero parents are shown, the scene isn't necessarily about sex. Two Moms and Two Dads is a reality of life. Kids encounter it. No value was presented on the show except "this happens" - your kid may be friends with a kid with two moms and two dads. That is true. Note the kid didn't even note it, double-take, talk about, or anything. She was just excited her friend was there. The question above in the OP is loaded.You do realize how rare it would be to have that situation in real life? Roughly 2-3% of people are gay, and the majority don't have children. Most who do have children from previous hetero relationships, but that's another subject. So while the scene so "gayly" played out on the Disney channel could happen, the odds that it actually will are pretty far fetched. The fact that Disney put it in at the tail end of a cancelled show tells us something, as well. Nothing personal, Daniel and CB. And it's a long way from a one minute cameo on a cable show to a princess loves princess feature movie, which is what the column that I think provoked this topic was advocating for. Edit: A quick Google search shows that groups such as One Million Moms are opposed, while Miley Cyrus is ecstatic. Guess which side I come down on. And yes, this makes me glad my daughter is too old for Disney Channel. Edited February 3, 2014 by Buzzard
Daniel2 Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 (edited) You do realize how rare it would be to have that situation in real life? Roughly 2-3% of people are gay, and the majority don't have children. Most who do have children from previous hetero relationships, but that's another subject. So while the scene so "gayly" played out on the Disney channel could happen, the odds that it actually will are pretty far fetched. The fact that Disney put it in at the tail end of a cancelled show tells us something, as well. Nothing personal, Daniel and CB. And it's a long way from a one minute cameo on a cable show to a princess loves princess feature movie, which is what the column that I think provoked this topic was advocating for.I agree we're still several years from a same-gender love story being the central feature of a Disney film (although The Hunchback of Notre Dame and it's sequel had a very flirtatious male-to-male romantic relationship, albeit between two peripheral, non-human characters with very slight screen time). Can someone provide a link to that article?I also agree there's a reason Disney waited until the second - to - last episode of a highly popular TV show to casually introduce two same-sex parents. The selective timing is a small shift in the right direction, and I've no doubt things will continue to change towards more inclusion of gay and lesbian families on a more permanent basis.Gay and lesbian couples and families are already regularly featured in TV nowadays, Modern Family being the most obvious. After Googling ABC Family's "The Fosters," I found its available on Netflix for free (ABC TV, home of "Modern Family," and ABC Family are both owned by Disney). Just watched for pilot.... pretty good stuff. Tackles a lot of issues facing foster families and kids.As for being "glad" your daughter is too old for Disney Channel..... that statement stuck me as strangely ironic. On other less juvenile networks, your daughter will likely encounter FAR more "adult" issues than Charlie's friend's smiling same-sex parents benignly standing on a doorstep or chatting on a couch... Edited February 3, 2014 by Daniel2
Daniel2 Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 (edited) Hollywood did, and we got this!MORE MORMONS IN HOLLYWOOD PLEASE!In case I need to clarify, I was joking. ;-)In all seriousness, it WOULD be really cool to have an LDS family featured on TV, featured in a realistic, modern setting... sorta like "Seventh Heaven" meets "I Will Lead You" (seminary's D & C video-series family--I loved and still love that series!) Edited February 3, 2014 by Daniel2
The Nehor Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 Hollywood did, and we got this!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvxqnQmahTAMORE MORMONS IN HOLLYWOOD PLEASE! Nice and all but I'm still more grateful for Battlestar Galactica. 1
Daniel2 Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 Was it this one?:SATURDAY, JUN 1, 2013 11:00 AM MDTWhy are there no gay Disney characters?Unsurprisingly, the House of Mouse is way behind the curve when it comes to tackling LGBT issuesThis piece originally appeared onPolicy Mic.In an issue to go on sale in August, Archie Comics will feature a kiss between two openly gay characters, Kevin and his boyfriend Devon. The gay kiss (because just like “gay marriage,” it can’t be just a “kiss,” right?) shows how much the 72-year-old Archie Comics company has evolved amid America’s cultural changes. The comic book company showed Riverdale resident Kevin Keller “coming out” as gay in a sold-out 2011 issue of its “Veronica” series.The issue proved to be so popular that Kevin soon acquired his very own title series. With Kevin’s much publicized wedding last winter also selling out, and his first “on-panel” kiss likely to continue the trend, one wonders when the Walt Disney Company will follow suit and present its first-ever queer character. While there are a number of theories on the queer sexuality of various Disney icons, the animation giant has never featured an openly gay character in any of its multimillion dollar films or cartoons, let alone present a (genuine) same-sex kiss. When Disney movies do allude to queer sexuality, including same-sex romance, this is usually in the context of a joke — a comical accident that leaves all parties disgusted and mortified.While some might point to Disney’s branding as “child-friendly” to explain its lack of representations of queer sexuality, a 2009 study by University of Michigan sociologists Karin Martin and Emily Kazyak found that far from being asexual, Disney films are steeped in sexuality — heterosexuality. According to Martin and Kazyak, the plot of Disney films overwhelmingly revolve around heterosexual romance. Heterosexual love — including, of course, the highly esteemed heterosexual kiss — is presented as “exceptional, powerful, magical and transformative.”When Beauty and the Beast kiss, the entire kingdom transforms from winter to spring, with snow melting, flowers blooming and teacups, clocks and candlesticks magically returning to their proper human states. In The Little Mermaid, the so-called “kiss of true (heterosexual) love,” as deemed by Ursula, is so powerful that it is the only way Ariel can remain human. When Nala and Simba kiss in The Lion King, the act is so pivotal that it empowers Simba to change his mind and decide to fight to save his kingdom. In each of these moments, Disney teaches us that heterosexual love, particularly as expressed through the prized heterosexual kiss, is fantastical, transformational and sublime: It can revive a person from death, awaken someone from a deep sleep, bring together cultures and create literal fireworks.Unfortunately, Disney cartoons teach us that the opposite is true when it comes to the queer kiss. Far from breaking spells and sparking fireworks, signs of queer sexuality generate only ridicule and disgust. When Timon and Pumbaa accidentally touch lips in The Lion King, both immediately appear stunned, horrified and even queasy. The opening scene of Princess and the Frog similarly remarks on the laughable nature of queer sexuality. When Tiana exits a street car, she leaves a would-be suitor to make an advance on the man who’s taken her place (see the 1:00 mark), causing the man to frown with deep disapproval and the suitor to ashamedly shrink away.Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph, which notoriously includes an allusion to a gay slur directed at aneffeminate villain, and Toy Story, which mocks effeminate men, are similarly guilty of ridiculing queer sexualities. Toy Story 3 presents its Ken Doll character as the ultimate gay stereotype — a fashion-obsessed “metrosexual” who loves disco, campy clothing and wearing Barbie’s clothes. His effeminate appearance, demeanor, and mannerisms are persistently mocked by the other toys, thereby sending the message that men who violate gender norms are worthy of ridicule.While Toy Story 3 includes jokes about Ken stealing Barbie’s scarf and even wearing her high heels, Disney’s Aladdin, Robin Hood, The Emperor’s New Groove, and Lilo and Stitch all include attempts for laughs at the expense of men attempting to pass as women. In protesting the transphobic, cross-dressing based sitcom Work It — which ran on ABC, a network owned by Disney — GLAAD issued a statement pointing out how such jokes “invite the audience to laugh at … men trying to adopt a feminine appearance,” thereby “giving license to similar treatment of transgender women.”At the same time that Disney films avoid presenting openly queer sexuality, particularly as anything more than a punchline, the company doesn’t shy away from attempts to profit from queer consumers. Since 1991, Disney has played host to the independently organized “Gay Days,” the so-called “world’s most popular gay and lesbian celebration” which brings some 150,000 queer families to the Magic Kingdom each year. But if money is what Disney is after, the profits of Archie Comics’ foray into queer representations should have its execs seeing dollar signs. When Kevin Keller’s character debuted in 2010, the issue was so in demand that it led to Archie Comics’first-ever second printing. Even amid protests by the conservative group One Million Moms, the company’s 2011 issue featuring Kevin’s wedding also sold out, fetching prices up to $60 on Amazon. It would be surprising if its upcoming issue featuring Kevin and Devon’s much talked about kiss doesn’t follow suit.According to Archie Comics, the company decided to include Kevin’s character as an attempt to keep up with the times. The CEO of Archie Comics, Jon Goldwater, has said that presenting queer characters and their plights helps the comic series stay current with “what’s happening outside our windows and in our homes.” Indeed, queer visibility is consistently becoming a part of mainstream culture, such that President Obama recently — and ever so subtly — recognized same-sex couples in his commencement speech at Morehouse College. Yet even when the U.S. presidentopenly supports gay marriage, 6 in 10 Americans say they have a gay friend, and the majority of Americans themselves approve of same-sex marriage, openly gay characters remain absent from the “wonderful world of Disney.” In signs of a clear demand for queer representations, many Disney fans have taken it upon themselves to queer their favorite Disney characters, creating portrayals of Disney same-sex kisses, reimaginings of Disney heroes as gay male models and even queerings of the most heterosexual of Disney tales.“There have been characters on [the] Disney Channel who I think people have thought were gay,”said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer of the Disney Channel. But that’s all Disney feels it owes viewers: ”[it’s] for the audience to interpret,” said Marsh, shaking off any role or responsibility in providing gay visibility.This kind of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” philosophy of sexuality is a drastically different approach from that of Archie Comics, which recognizes and respects the significance — monetarily or otherwise — of presenting openly gay characters. “If Archie continued on in a bubble of nostalgia, [the series would] run the risk of becoming an anachronism,” said Goldwater.Amid the country’s growing acceptance of queer sexualities, this is a risk that the Walt Disney Company appears fully prepared to take.
rockpond Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 Just out of curiosity, what was the objectionable content in Modern Family? One that comes to mind was the mother sending the daughter to college with a box of condoms. But generally speaking, I would be comfortable having my teenagers watch the show with me (my kids are not teens yet) as it has some good lessons.
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