Gay characters in children's cartoons

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Troublesome Lagomorph

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And how would it exactly illustrate it? Making them really flamboyant? Wouldn't that make the kids all think that gay people are totally weird?
 

shedra

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SuperMse said:
shedra said:
In Doctor Who, (Which is a show I could consider a family/kids show) there have been two homosexual characters that I know of. And it doesn't matter that they are. It hardly ever comes up. Only in passing conversation.

As far as exposing homosexuality to smaller children.
Well,


(both girls)
They don't form a lack of acceptance for alternative lifestyles until later.
Magenta's a boy. It's stated numerous times in the show. Not many people realize this, but it's true. I guess the creators wanted to subvert gender roles- nifty.
http://www.nickjr.com/blues-clues/about-blues-clues/blues-clues-characters.html
Read Magenta's article.

Tsaba said:
shedra said:
first, wtf show is that?!
second, isn't that about the time when blue's clues kind of jumped the shark?
Yo Gabba Gabba. It's hilarious.
 

Farseer Lolotea

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LCP said:
Because 2 adults consent to something it should be considered ok? I'm pretty sure prostitution consists of 2 consenting adults, yet it's frowned upon, and illegal in some countries.
Which doesn't necessarily mean that it's innately "wrong." But that's still another can of worms.

2 consenting adults is the only difference... and permanent emotional damage is the only difference.
I'd say that "consenting adults" is a pretty damn big difference. It's between theoretical equals, as opposed to being exploitative.

And whether or not someone's going to be screwed up by it for life? That makes all the difference in the world.
 

Radoh

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Troublesome Lagomorph said:
And how would it exactly illustrate it? Making them really flamboyant? Wouldn't that make the kids all think that gay people are totally weird?
No, that would perpetuate negative stereotypes and that's no fun for anybody. Expressing interest/having a crush on someone however, would illustrate it rather nicely.
 

EvilPicnic

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Watch an episode of any kid's TV show aired on Valentine's day...

Hetero relationships are featured throughout kids tv. What's so wrong in implying one gay character?
 

Bags159

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Troublesome Lagomorph said:
And how would it exactly illustrate it? Making them really flamboyant? Wouldn't that make the kids all think that gay people are totally weird?
Probably the same way they illustrate straight relationships; ave someone crush on someone of the same gender.
 

Farseer Lolotea

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Urgh76 said:
Debbie from Rugrats
Just because a female character wears a shirt with a Venus symbol on it and is somewhat loud and crude doesn't mean that she's necessarily a lesbian. In fact, I think she's got a husband.
 

Urgh76

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Farseer Lolotea said:
Urgh76 said:
Debbie from Rugrats
Just because a female character wears a shirt with a Venus symbol on it and is somewhat loud and crude doesn't mean that she's necessarily a lesbian.
Yeah, and I just found out that she actually had a husband O>O

So my bad XD
 

Farseer Lolotea

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Urgh76 said:
Yeah, and I just found out that she actually had a husband O>O

So my bad XD
No big deal; it happens. (I vaguely remembered that character, but you confused me a bit when you called her "Debbie." Her name is actually Betty.)
 

powell86

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Bara_no_Hime said:
Kipohippo said:
I think you guys are over shooting this. Being straight is biologically normal. Should we not present that as a norm? Yes, homosexuality is a part of life, but we dont need to stuff it into entertainment for the hell of it. Especially a kid's show. If a kid is going to be gay, let them find that out for themselves instead of doing it because this character from this show is gay.

Edit: Plus, i dont want to have to explain ANYTHING about sex to my children. Keep it simple.
You don't need to explain anything about sex - explain about love.

Also...

Being straight is biologically normal? Um, no. Homosexuality exists all throughout nature. Homosexuality is as biologically "normal" as heterosexuality.

Please don't make such ignorant and offensive statements.
I think what he meant by normal is actually statistically normal rather than a judgmental "normal" of one's opinion.

Fact is there are homosexuality found all across the animal kingdom. But it is also another fact that these are not the majority instances found as well. Hence I would actually say that homosexuality is observed in animals rather than claiming it is "normal"

And also, I don't like the idea of LGBT using animals as example for why their actions should be accepted. Becuz if we wanna use animals as societal example, then we should all have polygamy. It's not that I'm against LGBT, but I personally believe using human rights as an argument is much more stronger than "hey some monkeys exhibit gay behaviors, means I'm alright too!"

Last time i checked, wild animals can be savage, some also commit rape and I don't see people accepting murderers and rapists.
 

ckam

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If only you were in Tokyo to discuss such things with Ishihara...
 

The_Author

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In my opinion, children's shows should not address the complex psychological minefield that is fleshing out one's sexual identity. Since sexuality is a complete non-issue before puberty, why bother including the topic at all. Additionally, other than stating outright that a character belongs to one sexual group or another, just how does a writer portray the character in a manner identifying said character with the aforementioned without using stereotypes? I definitely agree that society needs to nut up and stop treating homosexuals as bogey-men, but exposing children to sexuality in any form seems irresponsible to me. I guess to condense my opinion, I think that children should have strong role models, and I think that part of being a role model means that you choosing the right moment to teach certain things to those that look up to you.
 

Eomega123

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For anyone still wondering about biological effects on sexual orientation, this video helps spell things out pretty well
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PooEhBxh0NY&feature=BFa&list=LLEoPJcexpHrY&index=12
and yes, both sides are exaggerated, but only to bring out the arguments.

OP: homosexual characters seem fine to me. Banning homosexuals in television because they are not near the majority makes as much sense as banning Jews, or Germans, or trombone players, or people who like curling.
 

Escapefromwhatever

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shedra said:
SuperMse said:
shedra said:
In Doctor Who, (Which is a show I could consider a family/kids show) there have been two homosexual characters that I know of. And it doesn't matter that they are. It hardly ever comes up. Only in passing conversation.

As far as exposing homosexuality to smaller children.
Well,


(both girls)
They don't form a lack of acceptance for alternative lifestyles until later.
Magenta's a boy. It's stated numerous times in the show. Not many people realize this, but it's true. I guess the creators wanted to subvert gender roles- nifty.
http://www.nickjr.com/blues-clues/about-blues-clues/blues-clues-characters.html
Read Magenta's article.
Huh. I could have sworn I remembered Steve calling her a boy. I apologize for my mistake- I need time to process this new information.
 

powell86

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Canid117 said:
LCP said:
Farseer Lolotea said:
LCP said:
I have trouble believing it's not a choice... Just me... Because if it's not a choice it's a defect...
So what's your justification for thinking that it has to be one or the other, as opposed to merely being more akin to laterality?
Gay relationships can't have kids, simple.

I hate bringing this part up, but I'm stubborn as hell, what is the huge difference in sexual orientations that pedophilia, bestiality, or necrophilia (and probably more -ilias) can't be considered a valid option/choice/something? I don't see a huge jump from them to gay, if you subtract doing damage. Why shouldn't some things be considered acceptable while others aren't. I choose not to vouch for any of them. Gay just seems to be the borderland of the sexual orientations(probably not using the right word)

I hope it makes sense, i almost never do, partly blame my English..
Pedophilia has a negative psychological impact on the younger party. Bestiality isn't illegal but it is looked down upon by society due to a lack of any possibility of an emotional relationship and necrophilia is seen as violating the wishes of the deceased.
erm regards to your bestiality:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoophilia_and_the_law#National_laws
 

OldNewNewOld

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Mar 2, 2011
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Should it be done? -Yes
How to do it? -Add a gay couple. Don't make it to obvious. 2 friends (which are obviously same sex) which are mostly together and sometimes hold hands. Done.

Saying that sexuality shouldn't be part of children shows is hypocritical since heterosexuality is present simply by the fact that there are boys and girls and at least 1 girl will have a crush on a boy. Every show has it. So why shouldn't it have a boy having a crush on another boy, or girl/girl crush. I remember watching Hey Arnold. Helga had a crush on Arnold, jet he never found out. It was obvious that Helga is straight, jet sex was never mentioned. The only sexual content was linking someone. Not sex but liking.

It won't hurt anyone, but will help a lot of children to identify them self. It would at least helped me...
 

Shikua

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Dec 7, 2010
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Farseer Lolotea said:
LCP said:
Because 2 adults consent to something it should be considered ok? I'm pretty sure prostitution consists of 2 consenting adults, yet it's frowned upon, and illegal in some countries.
Which doesn't necessarily mean that it's innately "wrong." But that's still another can of worms.
A can of worms I'd GLADLY tear open, seeing as I've dabbled with prostitution myself.
 

herts

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May 4, 2011
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I can't see where love and romantic relationships come into kids shows that often and even then it's just little crushes a peck on the cheek etc. So in that case I don't think i'd have a problem with having gay characters kids shows, it would just need to be handled the right way. I'd support this but I can't see it happening any time soon.
 
Aug 17, 2009
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Umm...Why do children's cartoons need to address sexuality in the first place? How can a character on a show where you can't even say the word "sex" have a sexual orientation? Do they act camp? If so, then they're not an accurate representation of a homosexual, if not, I can't see how you could even notice this.