movies/tv Gay characters in a kids show?

[James 302]

Sorry that this is such a weird topic, just something I thought about recently.

 

If you've been in this fandom for even 5 minutes you're probably aware of all the lesbian shipping, I even to it myself with FlutterDash. Regardless of your opinions on shipping though, do you think it would ever be possible for the show to have a gay character?

 

I don't think it would ever happen in a million years. I can just imagine the outrage of parents, because, obviously depicting that kind of character would be the most horrifying thing in the world, and any child who sees it would instantly turn gay themselves, 'cause that's how it works.

 

But seriously though, if there are straight people pursuing relationships, which is actually a very common theme in a lot of kids movies, why can't there be gay stuff too? Or why can't a kids show cover it in an educational sense? Obviously I'm not talking about stuff aimed at very young children (that would be strange) but stuff for those in the upper range of FiM's originally intended audience, 12 years or so, which is when sexuality actually starts to become relevant.

 

Has any kids show ever covered the topic of homosexuality?

[Nerdy Luigi 2,065]

It should happen. It hasn't yet, but it it should and hopefully will soon. It might actually happen in the next 5 or so years, as pro-homosexuality views are actually that of almost HALF, if not OVER half of the US population.

 

And, yes, I am very happy about this statistic myself.

Edited June 26, 2013 by Rainbow P.F. Sparkle

[Flutter's lover <3 8,206]

AS far as I know, I don't think there's been a kids show with a gay character,they maybe perceived as gay but they arn't. Look at Spongebob, he seems a little gay, but then again his voice actor is gay.

 

But no, I don't think you'll see any serious gay stuff in a kids show, not right now anyways.

Edited June 26, 2013 by Flutter Dash

[Homura Akemi 974]

I'm not sure about TV shows, but the movie ParaNorman has as you may know. The guy at the end who Norman's older sister like is gay. Video has bad quality. Sorry.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z3jHwLrMxI

[Scootalove 10,689]

I think that there aren't any gay characters in a kids show unless you count He-Man if that is a kid show. But other than that, Spongebob is the only character in a kid show that acts gay and is usually rumored to be gay with Squidward and Patrick.

[DarligPegasi 315]

Yeah they should totally start adding homosexual characters to kid shows instead of acting like they don't exist. That way it'll start promoting acceptance and the focus will shift from that to something else. And you know as well as I that no one wants to focus on the other things,

[Fox 5,330]

I'm not one for the thought of including gay character(s) in a child's show. I don't think it's right. (omg opinions) I think someone who is gay would later decide that during development that they decide they don't like the opposite sex. Fine.

 

Wait, though.... why would you go against a show that might help closet homosexuals feel more comfortable about being true to their sexual preference? They're many things that shouldn't be taught during a young age. Give kids time to decide if they're gay or not. I think that comes at an early age. I don't see young kids acting gay. Let them be who they're before thinking they might be gay or what not.

[Esk 201]

I'm a fan of FlutterDash myself, and I've actually wondered how MLP would handle something like this. Sadly, I don't think it will come to be; like you said, parents would get in an outrage over it, and besides, with all the straight relationships that are portrayed in every other media meant for the target demographic of little girls, they'd probably question it.

 

"Mommy, why are the two girl ponies kissing?"

That would be hell for a parent to explain, especially if they're a notably religious family.

 

Which brings me to my next point. It's technically a religious issue, and even though I can see MLP portraying a lesbian couple respectfully, religion and the prejudices against gays would most likely be thrown out the window. 

I wish they'd just disregard all the religious baggage that goes along with the gay stigma. It really shouldn't matter, and I think that "let others love who they wish" is a great message for kids in a society that's seeing more and more of gay culture.

 

Unfortunately, it's still a children's show, and it has its limits. Even the subject of a legitimate romance would be pretty hard to pull off considering the show's lighthearted nature. 

[SoarinBlue 202]

Nope.  PTC would lose their shit and start a boycott of all Hasbro related products.  Hasbro isn't going to do something that controversial in the show because it's meant to sell toys.  Doing that would do serious damage to the sales for the entire toy line.  I don't think it's out of the question that we'll see it in the next few years, but it won't be on a show that's a front for corporate marketing

[Lume WMj 228]

Well... Homosexuality is still a very, very fragile subject due to the certain prejudice of nowadays. And even though I entirely support gay rights, I wouldn't like to see a gay couple being embraced in a kids show.

 

I mean, there's a right time for everything... If a kid someday assumes homosexuality, may it not be because of a show they used to watch.

[Megas 27,704]

As far as kid's shows go, the only show I remember(I don't know if it's the same in Japan, but at least in America it was treated as a kid's show) with any homosexual characters that was taken seriously was Sailor Moon, with Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune. I don't know enough about Sailor Moon, I always thought that these two were romantically involved with each other, and at times was taking pretty seriously at times(Someone correct me if I'm wrong, cause I probably am)

 

Other than that, cartoons never really have any homosexual characters, it would be a nice change of pace too. I think it would be interesting to see people try to include some homosexual characters in Kid's shows and not try to turn them into jokes(hell Leeron was pretty stereotypical, and even then they managed to make him a serious and strong character)

[Nerdy Luigi 2,065]

I'm not one for the thought of including gay character(s) in a child's show. I don't think it's right. (omg opinions) I think someone who is gay would later decide that during development that they decide they don't like the opposite sex. Fine.

 

Wait, though.... why would you go against a show that might help closet homosexuals feel more comfortable about being true to their sexual preference? They're many things that shouldn't be taught during a young age. Give kids time to decide if they're gay or not. I think that comes at an early age. I don't see young kids acting gay. Let them be who they're before thinking they might be gay or what not.

 

I really hate debating this one, even though I don't know exactly what causes LGBT sexualities.

 

But,  I know (VERY WELL)

1. It is not a choice

2. Apparently, you don't look very closely. I actually see a lot of young kids acting in "gay" ways.

3. TV shows can't convince someone to become homosexual.

[Sazama Ichida 2,367]

Technically there's already more than one kid's show with a gay couple in it. Besides Spongebob and Patrick there's also Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street. And if anyone disagrees I've found some Youtube videos that say otherwise.

[Fox 5,330]

I really hate debating this one, even though I don't know exactly what causes LGBT sexualities.

 

But,  I know (VERY WELL)

1. It is not a choice

2. Apparently, you don't look very closely. I actually see a lot of young kids acting in "gay" ways.

3. TV shows can't convince someone to become homosexual.

1. I have the choice to be gay or what not. I choose not to though.

(how ignorant of a comment from me~)

 

2. I don't understand what kind of activities you judge or perceive as "gay." 

3. It can spark interest. Most bisexuals are curious~

[Dusty Soul 2,611]

Nah, that would actually cause a reaction worse then the Derpy Incident x10.  The parents would flip out and everything would go down the tube.  I wouldn't like it either, because that's just one of those things that shouldn't be in a kids TV show.  (Let me say I support LGBT)

[Ezio Auditore 702]

 Look at Spongebob, he seems a little gay, but then again his voice actor is gay.

 

.

 

Spongebob's voice actor (A man named Tom Kenny) Is married to a woman actually, but I kind of agree spongebob may be perceived as a bit flambouyant.

[Nerdy Luigi 2,065]

1. I have the choice to be gay or what not. I choose not to though.

(how ignorant of a comment from me~)

 

2. I don't understand what kind of activities you judge or perceive as "gay." 

3. It can spark interest. Most bisexuals are curious~

1. False. True, for acting on the sexuality though.

2. "Gay" is society's perception in general.

3. Yes, but TV shows didn't really make you completely change who you are? Am I correct?

[James 302]

There wouldn't have to be a big deal about it, simply having a gay character, I think, would be really cool. They wouldn't even have to draw attention to it or make it a plot point, just portray them as they are, like anyone else. Gay people do exist, and it's nice to see acknowledgement of that in any media.

 

Of course, there's no way it could happen today, maybe in the future, and I actually wouldn't want it to happen in MLP since it would endanger the continuation of the show.

[Mand'alor Dash 2,224]

I prefer that parents be the ones to explain these things to their children. There's little point in having young ones learn it from a television show, let alone a cartoon about talking ponies.

 

I won't argue that it will somehow warp their young minds and flip their preferences, but it's still very impersonal. Parents know their kids alot better than some TV writer does, so it's only logical that they be the ones to teach their kids the facts of life.

[Ezio Auditore 702]

Do I think the show should have a gay couple?

Absolutely Not.

 

Why? 

 

Because then all this show would be is "That kids show with the gay couple" It would not be seen as the same show,many people would watch it for all the wrong reasons. some people would watch it solely because there would be a gay couple, instead of being mocked as "that gay pony show" we would literally be that gay pony show.

 

Now I'm not gay-bashing here, I'm not trying to offend anyone, but it would change the show, the fanbase, and how people perceive us as a whole.

[Fox 5,330]

1. False. True, for acting on the sexuality though.

2. "Gay" is society's perception in general.

3. Yes, but TV shows didn't really make you completely change who you are? Am I correct?

Let's scratch 1 and 2 because we are supposed to be talking about the actual topic. Let's not throw each other's opinions in our faces and act like people who wear tight muscle shirts in the gym. 

 

3. TV shows do have impact on people in what they do, buy, wear, act, and ect. Not everyone falls to TV propaganda, but they're are a lot of people who don't even know it, and are affected by it. They just need to be enlightened 'bout what's "really happening." I mean a good example is how they sell sex on TV as a form of media that has made younger naked models appear on magazines, more revealing clothes, and ect. I'm just saying in this scenario of a gay character appearing in a child's show is too much for my liking. I wouldn't want to confuse my child sexually. They're many cases like that. 

 

The one video that appeared before posted by "Nagisa," about the "suggestive gay guy," making a joke about his boyfriend is funny. I'm all for good humour don't get me wrong. That's a funny situation, but that's usually to appeal to the second audience who maybe watching. (the adults). It all depends how the character would be featured, and presented in the show. I don't mind homosexuals. They tend to be quite nice a people. Most are more polite than your heterosexual folk.

[James 302]

I do think this would be too much of a big deal, especially for something like My Little Pony. Maybe some other show or movie could pull it of sometime in the future.

 

I really do think that parents should be the ones to teach their children about this, though. A lot of parents don't take enough responsibility for the education of their children.

[Nerdy Luigi 2,065]

Let's scratch 1 and 2 because we are supposed to be talking about the actual topic. Let's not throw each other's opinions in our faces and act like people who wear tight muscle shirts in the gym. 

 

3. TV shows do have impact on people in what they do, buy, wear, act, and ect. Not everyone falls to TV propaganda, but they're are a lot of people who don't even know it, and are affected by it. They just need to be enlightened 'bout what's "really happening." I mean a good example is how they sell sex on TV as a form of media that has made younger naked models appear on magazines, more revealing clothes, and ect. I'm just saying in this scenario of a gay character appearing in a child's show is too much for my liking. I wouldn't want to confuse my child sexually. They're many cases like that. 

 

The one video that appeared before posted by "Nagisa," about the "suggestive gay guy," making a joke about his boyfriend is funny. I'm all for good humour don't get me wrong. That's a funny situation, but that's usually to appeal to the second audience who maybe watching. (the adults). It all depends how the character would be featured, and presented in the show. I don't mind homosexuals. They tend to be quite nice a people. Most are more polite than your heterosexual folk.

One flaw with your post (I really don't think you saw my post in"What's your sexuality") but Im actually not heterosexual. But that's okay, I have a hard time telling homo and heterosexuality in people myself.

 

And TV shows MAY influence people, but they don't change who they really are. (Or none that I know of)

[Shanks 10,816]

I could see this happening in 20 or 30 years from now but not right now at least not without creating a controversy that would make even the likes of Derpygate look tame by comparison. And I am just uncomfortable with sexuality in general being a part of a childrens show it is one thing to have little innuendo's that fly over the kids heads like in a lot of the old 90's cartoons but homosexuality seems like something that parents should talk to their children about. Yes I know that even young children have a basic concept of heterosexual couples but alot of them are not yet ready to grasp the concept of homosexual couples yet.

[Tollhouse 79]

I fully support the idea of including gay characters in kids shows.  The heterosexualism needs to stop.  Kids at a young age need to understand that it's ok to be in love with others of the same sex.  If a kid sees a gay character on tv that doesn't mean they're going to end up being gay.  That's ridiculous.  They'll confirm their sexuality later when they mature just like everypony else.  

 

Another thing that needs to be put to an end is associating homosexuality with mature themes.  That's just plain stupid.   And I fail to see why parents would find homosexuality inappropriate for their children to be aware of.  It's just love for Christ's sake.  Love has no gender.  So get with it moms and dads.