Can there be a gay character in a children's show?

[Craig]

Hello,

I was thinking how almost every adult show has at least one gay character now which is something I really like as it shows how it is more acceptable now than before.

However, do you guys think it would be a good idea to include gay characters in shows targeted at children?
In my opinion, I think not. I mean I don't think it's wrong I just think children shouldn't be exposed to such an issue at an early age especially with all the stereotypes that come with it.

So what do you guys think?

[dlboy53]

that's a good question, have not given it much thought, as I see children are exposed to to a lot as is that they really should not be. So with that said I would have to see what the content was about because if its to education children why some families have two moms or two dads then its something I could consider.

[OrphanPip]

Why not? Children are exposed to heterosexuality from birth, whether people want to admit it or not. And some children will know people who are homosexual in their day to day life. Do we keep people of colour out of children's shows to prevent them from having to deal with the complex issues of racism? Should women be removed from children shows so as not to provoke, lord forbid it, questioning of issues about feminism?

I'm sorry, I just don't follow your logic.

Of course, the standard argument might be that children shouldn't be exposed to knowledge about sex, and addressing homosexuality involves addressing the great taboo around children. Which is debatable, as it certainly does them no harm to know how reproduction works, and they are always exposed to the concept of the nuclear family and the notion of romantic love from a young age in our culture. Education specialist are starting to advocate that children as young as 7 should be starting to be educated about things like gender identity and sexuality.

[ZackT]

I think it ultimately depends on how tastefully done it is. How the character is presented is very important, whether the character is a jerk or a wise kind person. I think in this instance, it'd do better to have the character be someone pleasant, otherwise it might subtletly teach kids to hate gays from a young age cause all gays are jerks or something like that.

I suppose on the other hand, you don't want the kids to think all gays are kind wise men either, but you don't want them to think that of anyone, so *shrug*.

[ceez]

lol we're already there, Burt and Ernie, Marcie and Peppermint Patty, Bugs Bunny, and the power puff girls had a transgender character named him.

[Snow]

Rugrats

[Pix]

Archie comics added a gay character like a year or so ago. I don't know if that's intended for children or not but I have seen kids ask for it at the checkout counters.

I've seen shows like the Simpsons and The Critic (not sure if either was for children, but I did watch it with my best friend as did many other kids) since I was about 10 and I wasn't bothered by Mr. Smithers at all (at the time we would just giggle over it). I haven't seen the Critic since I was a kid but I still vaguely recall how Jay (the critic) manages to win a woman away from a toxic boyfriend (who always seduces her with his country music, and always referred to Jay as "her gay friend") by a song and after she kicks her toxic (now ex) boyfriend out she sings to Jay, "Jay, I'm glad you're not gay, maybe I'll show you why someday." I'm not sure, but I think I was 12 when I saw it, and I understood it.

It didn't bother me at all, so I'm not inclined to see a problem with it. From a purely mental PoV I realize that there would be a backlash if gay characters became normal for kids shows, so I don't know what to think.

But one Holiday season my partner had me watch It's a Wonderful Life (and I got a strong buzz from brandy & eggnog), and seeing a wish turn out so wrong like that when a guy wasn't born reminded me of the Buffy ep: The Wish and since she made me sit through her movie I decided to make her sit through an ep. The kids (boy 7 and girl 12 then) hadn't watched the movie as they'd already seen it more than once but I asked them if they wanted to see The Wish (probably because I was buzzed, I doubt I'd have let them if I'd been sober) but warned them that it was a little scary. Both kids did. The kids really liked it so I played Doppelgangland where Vampire Willow comes to this world and does things like lick other girls and comes to this dialog:

[the gang looks at the vampire version of Willow from an alternate reality]
Giles: It's extraordinary.
Willow: It's horrible. That's me as a vampire? I'm so evil, and skanky... and I think I'm kinda gay.
Buffy: Willow, just remember, a vampire's personality has nothing to do with the person it was.
Angel: Well, actually...
[pauses as Willow and Buffy look at him]
Angel: That's a good point.

Neither kid seemed phased by this (nor confused). And they loved it.

Btw, I'm actually a little disturbed by the intensity of some of the ships & slashes popular among tweens (at least the girls, I haven't noticed any boys doing this), and btw some girls have rebelled against the Edward/Bella ship of Twilight preferring "Bellice" (BellaxAlice) slash. This was not intended, but some people (including tween girls) have decided they like this better, even if they personally prefer boys, they just think the 2 are better for each other and/or don't like Edward (which I can't say I blame them on that).

Even weirder is a popular ship called "Jalex" (Justin and Alex, brother & sister, from Wizards of Waverly Place), though I'm even more surprised that Disney seems to sneak a lot of Jalex themes past the radar (especially in the movie), too. I'm thinking (and hoping) that girls just recognize the unintentional (again, hopefully) chemistry and realize that the actors who play them aren't REALLY brother & sister in real life so are fans of it. But then when I was a kid a lot of girls (some as young as 13) were really into V. C. Andrews who wrote a lot of incest (especially between brother & sister) themed books, too, so maybe it shouldn't be as shocking as it is to me.

Perhaps kids are a lot more aware of the world than we give them credit for.

[Craig]

Why not? Children are exposed to heterosexuality from birth, whether people want to admit it or not. And some children will know people who are homosexual in their day to day life. Do we keep people of colour out of children's shows to prevent them from having to deal with the complex issues of racism? Should women be removed from children shows so as not to provoke, lord forbid it, questioning of issues about feminism?

I'm sorry, I just don't follow your logic.

Of course, the standard argument might be that children shouldn't be exposed to knowledge about sex, and addressing homosexuality involves addressing the great taboo around children. Which is debatable, as it certainly does them no harm to know how reproduction works, and they are always exposed to the concept of the nuclear family and the notion of romantic love from a young age in our culture. Education specialist are starting to advocate that children as young as 7 should be starting to be educated about things like gender identity and sexuality.

I understand your point. What I meant was when a gay character is introduced they will almost always be shown as those feminine guys proving the stereotypes and dont get me started on the whole bullying problem.

Like I said, I dont think its a problem but the society isnt completely ready and it might just end up confusing gay children.

[Genersis]

I'd say yes.mile:

As long as the characters homosexuality isn't always made to stand out, or that it takes centre stage too often.
You see i think if there was a gay person(a couple would probably be better) IN the show and they don't treat it as a big deal, children would learn that it's normal. Nothing to make a big deal out of.
It's all about subtlety.