The notable children's book Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman has been used to normalize the idea of same-sex parents since it was published in 1989. The book was number eleven on the American Library Association "100 Most Challenged Books of 1990- 2000. Much controversy has surrounded the book so I was not surprised to learn that The Simpsons actually did a parody episode entitled "Bart Has Two Mommies".
Besides Heather Has Two Mommies, I stumbled upon a children's book about two homosexual penguins in New York's Central Park Zoo. The book is called And Tango Makes Three. Check out this cute story in these two short Youtube videos ....
Not surprisingly, this adorable story has also been banned in many places.... even though it's based off a true incident that really happened at Central Park Zoo! This ban demonstrates the extensive censorship of queer identities in childrens' media. Hopefully cartoons will be harder to ban! Perhaps The Simpsons producers are on to something....although the book has been extensively banned, the cartoon episode has not to date experienced censorship.
Leave me your thoughts!
~Ryan
I think that this story is a really great illustration of how one can't 'choose' to be gay. As animals are considered more instinctual than humans, they don't think of what is societally acceptable, but just do what feels right. Perhaps this could be likened to humans when trying to teach queerness acceptance in school. The fact that it emphasizes the companionship of being with another individual and creating a family rather than what is religiously or politically incorrect is something important for any sexual orientation.
ReplyDeleteniiiiice. and very cute vids