In late January 2014, Disney did
something that not many believed would actually happen. On the hit show, Good
Luck, Charlie! Disney producers had Charlie have a play date with one of her
friends from school. At the beginning, Charlie’s mom and dad get into an
argument about what little Taylor’s mom’s name is.. Susan? Or Cheryl? However,
when Taylor shows up for the play date, Disney makes it clear that both were right!
Charlie’s
mom greets Susan at the door, because they have met before. And as if it is normal (like it should be) Susan
introduces Charlie’s mother to “Taylor’s other mom, Cheryl!” Dad invites
everyone into the house where Charlie’s dad Bob says, “Taylor has two moms!”
almost as if saying ha-ha, we were both
right. “Nothing gets passed you Bob!” Charlie’s mom says to him, and the
play date continues as normal.
Finally! Disney is making it clear and
obvious they have a gay family on TV. A Disney spokesperson told TV Guide that “they
episode was developed to be relevant to kids and families around the world and
to reflect themes of diversity and inclusiveness.” Go Disney!
However,
not everyone was on the same page with Disney’s plan. “One Million Moms, a
far-right conservative group, launched an email campaign in 2013 that urged
Disney officials to abandon their plans to corrupt
the children’s network with LGBT content.” However, Disney officials never
responded. Two points for Disney in my book! This is the “new normal” and my
bet is sooner or later we’re going to have an openly-gay Disney princess in the
bunch (I earlier talked about the possibility of Elsa’s sexuality hidden in
Frozen in my most recent blog, so maybe there’s a better chance than we think!)
And
apparently, I’m not the only one who had something positive to say towards
Disney’s steps in the right direction. Both Miley Cyrus and openly bisexual
actress Evan Rachel Wood had positive words of encouragement, too! And if you want to check out the totally awesome clip from Good Luck Charlie, here's the link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoEBdCsrOVs
The Disney Corporation was one of the first to extend benefits (like health coverage) to same-sex partners. In 1996 the fundamentalist Christian group "American Family Association" called for a boycott. They got a lot of publicity a year later after Matthew Shepard's murder. Disney was under a lot of pressure to stop doing so.
ReplyDeleteIn response, my first wife organized an anti-boycott. The goal was for people to pay for items at their local Disney store with a two dollar bill. (Why? Because of the saying, "queer as a two dollar bill.") While there was no official recognition, we did hear that Disney had to send out nationwide email to their stores that "yes, a two dollar bill is legal tender." Along with instructions on how to account for them when people were closing their registers.
I think it's great what Disney is doing. The Disney channel is a very popular one among younger children but also ones in their teenage years. We all know television plays a big role in kids' lives. They are influenced so much by the shows they watch and even the commercials. Whether or not kids are aware of same sex couples when they come upon this scene you're discussing or watching a similar scene elsewhere, it'll guide their way of thinking towards gay couples, marriages, etc being something common and not at all bad.
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad they decided to write in those mom characters. I feel like this will definitely open up the doors to other TV shows from Disney and outside to have scenes in where same sex couples are portrayed as a completely normal element in a family.
Disney has the ability to reach millions of children and they know it. They have the ability to help shape the minds of the generations to come and I for one am proud of the work they have done. From incorporating same sex couples and changing their once helpless princesses to strong female characters who don't need a man to survive. Although the did get some hate for this decision, it won't be long for others to do the same.
ReplyDeleteI also think its great what Disney is doing, not only on their television shows but in new movies as well. From having two moms on an episode of Good Luck, Charlie! to having a family with two dads in Frozen, Disney is making great progress towards incorporating same sex couples into their line up and influencing young viewers that there is nothing wrong or abnormal with same sex couples.
ReplyDeleteI think this is an awesome thing that Disney is doing. Same sex marriage is becoming more and more accepting and showing it to kids on shows so early in age will eliminate any bias once they get older. They will have already been shown what a family with two moms or two dads looks like. I'm sure plenty of parents switched the channel as soon as they saw that, or stopped their child from watching Disney, but when the rest of that child's friends are completely accepting of it they will be too. Disney took the first step and I'm sure many other stations will follow. This will probably change the way the next generations view relationships!
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