ChuckD
The Gay Lord of Freestyle
Right wing warns of gay SpongeBob
The jovial cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants continues to soak up real-life criticism from Christian conservatives who believe he is gay and a harmful influence on children.
The latest incident involves a "pro-homosexual video," featuring SpongeBob and other popular children's TV characters, that, according to Focus on the Family founder James C. Dobson, will be mailed to U.S. elementary schools.
"Does anybody here know SpongeBob?" Dobson asked on Tuesday from the stage at a Washington pre-inaugural dinner for members of Congress and Republican allies, the New York Times reported.
The American Family Association also warned its members about the video earlier this month, according to WorldNetDaily.com.
The producer of the children's video, Nile Rodgers and his We Are Family Foundation (WAFF), said the video promotes the togetherness implied by the word "family." Though WAFF supports a policy of nondiscrimination that includes sexual orientation, the video does not address sexuality, Rodgers said.
According to the WAFF Web site, characters in the video sing a version of the song "We Are Family," which Rodgers wrote. The song was also a disco hit for Sister Sledge in 1979 and has since become a Gay Pride anthem.
Creators of the "SpongeBob SquarePants" show, which airs on Nickelodeon, have said the show is about tolerance and that SpongeBob is not gay, despite the fact that he often holds hands with his friend Patrick, a starfish.
Nevertheless, he's been pegged repeatedly. In a review of last year's "SpongeBob SquarePants" movie, a Focus on the Family writer said the movie "repeatedly plays with" the character's mysterious sexuality. In addition, a Charlotte Observer movie critic said, "It took some guts to make Bob and Pat so apparently gay."
The ongoing controversy has amused many in the gay community, who have purchased SpongeBob-themed gifts in large quantities. It also recalls the 1999 flap over the purple, purse-wearing Tinky Winky, whom religious conservatives branded as gay.
The jovial cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants continues to soak up real-life criticism from Christian conservatives who believe he is gay and a harmful influence on children.
The latest incident involves a "pro-homosexual video," featuring SpongeBob and other popular children's TV characters, that, according to Focus on the Family founder James C. Dobson, will be mailed to U.S. elementary schools.
"Does anybody here know SpongeBob?" Dobson asked on Tuesday from the stage at a Washington pre-inaugural dinner for members of Congress and Republican allies, the New York Times reported.
The American Family Association also warned its members about the video earlier this month, according to WorldNetDaily.com.
The producer of the children's video, Nile Rodgers and his We Are Family Foundation (WAFF), said the video promotes the togetherness implied by the word "family." Though WAFF supports a policy of nondiscrimination that includes sexual orientation, the video does not address sexuality, Rodgers said.
According to the WAFF Web site, characters in the video sing a version of the song "We Are Family," which Rodgers wrote. The song was also a disco hit for Sister Sledge in 1979 and has since become a Gay Pride anthem.
Creators of the "SpongeBob SquarePants" show, which airs on Nickelodeon, have said the show is about tolerance and that SpongeBob is not gay, despite the fact that he often holds hands with his friend Patrick, a starfish.
Nevertheless, he's been pegged repeatedly. In a review of last year's "SpongeBob SquarePants" movie, a Focus on the Family writer said the movie "repeatedly plays with" the character's mysterious sexuality. In addition, a Charlotte Observer movie critic said, "It took some guts to make Bob and Pat so apparently gay."
The ongoing controversy has amused many in the gay community, who have purchased SpongeBob-themed gifts in large quantities. It also recalls the 1999 flap over the purple, purse-wearing Tinky Winky, whom religious conservatives branded as gay.
