Homosexual characters and story lines are showing up more and more often in children's programming – and in the process usurping the rights of parents to determine if, when, and how they want their children to be hear about the topic of sexual orientation.
In a report on Wednesday, The Associated Press makes the case that the "bandwagon [is building] for LGBTQ diversity" in television programs targeting youngsters. AP highlighted the new Hulu animated children's series The Bravest Knight in which the character of ten-year-old "Nia" has two dads (see image). Voice actor Wilson Cruz – an openly homosexual man – plays the part of one of the dads.
"If we want to change the world and we want to make the world a better place, it starts at the threshold of our homes," Cruz stated in an interview about the series.
Greater representation of the "gay" community in the industry is intentional. According to the AP report, GLAAD – a prominent LGBTQ advocacy group – has been working "behind the scenes" to get LGBTQ writers and producers into "positions of influence" in the children's TV community.
Monica Cole of OneMillionMoms says that influence is a growing trend in children's programming. "Nickelodeon, Disney, Cartoon Network, and PBS Kids have all recently included same-sex parents or the young characters themselves involved with a same-sex attraction," she tells OneNewsNow.
Cole says she's hearing from Christian families across the country who would like to be in charge of appropriate and biblically based discussions about sex with their kids.
"Many parents feel that it's their responsibility and their choice, of course, of the timing when they discuss a mature topic," she explains. "… Then the parents are able to sit down and have a conversation with the child, depending on their maturity level and their age.
"[However], the networks take it upon themselves to introduce children to these controversial topics."
It's unfortunate, she says, that unless families just unplug their television, the indoctrinating content is getting harder and harder to avoid.
OneNewsNow reported in May that a recent episode of the long-running PBS children's series Arthur featured the lead character and his classmates attending a same-sex "wedding" involving their school teacher. And Cole's group recently took issue with Disney for including a subtle nod to "gay marriage" in Toy Story 4.
Editor's Note: OneMillionMoms is a division of the American Family Association, the parent organization of the American Family News Network, which operates OneNewsNow.com.