05-29-2007, 07:37 AM
[img2=left]http://www.gayspeak.com/forum/images/news/teletubies.jpg[/img2](Warsaw) The Polish government has reportedly begun an investigation to determine if Tinky Winky and other Teletubbies are promoting homosexuality to children.
The Reuters news service reported Monday that the government's watchdog for children's rights has asked a panel of psychologists to investigate the popular children's television series.
Ewa Sowinska said she was concerned the popular show promoted homosexuality to unsuspecting minors.
Her remarks were immediately likened to those several years ago of the late US evangelist Jerry Falwell who accused Tinky Winky of being gay because he carried a purse.
Falwell's remarks were largely dismissed at the time by even most of his evangelical supporters, but Poland's actions are the latest in a series of anti-gay moves that have European civil rights advocates concerned about a potential pogrom.
Earlier this month Education Minister Roman Giertych unveiled draft legislation that would make it a criminal offence to "promote homosexual propaganda" in schools.
If passed the measure would essentially censor all discussion of homosexuality in schools and other academic institutions. LGBT organizations would be barred from schools and "teachers who reveal their homosexuality will be fired from work."
Giertych's draft bill, however, does not say exactly would constitute promoting homosexuality.
Giertych defined it as "every action that is dependent on the public presentation of a certain belief with the intention of convincing others to that viewpoint." But critics say it is so vague it could lead to witch hunts.
Polish President Lech Kaczynski supports the bill.
Last year, the State Prosecutor's office issued a letter to prosecutors in the municipalities of Legnica, Wroclaw, Walbryzch, Opole and Jelenia Gora ordering in sweeping terms investigations into the conduct of "homosexuals" on unspecified allegations of "pedophilia."
Before being elected the the presidency, Kaczynski as mayor of Warsaw banned gay pride celebrations in the capitol from 2004 to 2006. The action prompted an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights that found Kaczynski acted illegally and discriminatory.
Current Warsaw Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz Walz has approved this year's pride parade based on the ruling.
The Reuters news service reported Monday that the government's watchdog for children's rights has asked a panel of psychologists to investigate the popular children's television series.
Ewa Sowinska said she was concerned the popular show promoted homosexuality to unsuspecting minors.
Her remarks were immediately likened to those several years ago of the late US evangelist Jerry Falwell who accused Tinky Winky of being gay because he carried a purse.
Falwell's remarks were largely dismissed at the time by even most of his evangelical supporters, but Poland's actions are the latest in a series of anti-gay moves that have European civil rights advocates concerned about a potential pogrom.
Earlier this month Education Minister Roman Giertych unveiled draft legislation that would make it a criminal offence to "promote homosexual propaganda" in schools.
If passed the measure would essentially censor all discussion of homosexuality in schools and other academic institutions. LGBT organizations would be barred from schools and "teachers who reveal their homosexuality will be fired from work."
Giertych's draft bill, however, does not say exactly would constitute promoting homosexuality.
Giertych defined it as "every action that is dependent on the public presentation of a certain belief with the intention of convincing others to that viewpoint." But critics say it is so vague it could lead to witch hunts.
Polish President Lech Kaczynski supports the bill.
Last year, the State Prosecutor's office issued a letter to prosecutors in the municipalities of Legnica, Wroclaw, Walbryzch, Opole and Jelenia Gora ordering in sweeping terms investigations into the conduct of "homosexuals" on unspecified allegations of "pedophilia."
Before being elected the the presidency, Kaczynski as mayor of Warsaw banned gay pride celebrations in the capitol from 2004 to 2006. The action prompted an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights that found Kaczynski acted illegally and discriminatory.
Current Warsaw Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz Walz has approved this year's pride parade based on the ruling.
Note: No trees were destroyed in the sending of this contaminant free message. However, I do concede, a significant number of electrons may have been inconvenienced.