Group puts squeeze on SpongeBob as gay icon
By Inside Track
Friday, January 21, 2005
Happy cartoon icon SpongeBob SquarePants is just a little too gay for one conservative Christian group that charges that Bikini Bottom's most famous resident is a homosexual.
Focus on the Family is up in arms about a music video created by the We Are Family Foundation that shows the popular porous cartoon character and several other kids' favorites dancing to the Sister Sledge song, ``We Are Family.'' The group claims SpongeBob & Co. are promoting a ``pro-gay agenda.''
``We see the video as an insidious means by which the organization is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids,'' Paul Batura, a spokesman for Focus on the Family, told the New York Times. ``It is a classic bait and switch.''
The Times reported that the group's head, James Dobson, also attacked SpongeBob at a pre-inauguration black-tie dinner in Washington, D.C. Tuesday night.
Dobson apparently believes that SpongeBob and his cartoon sidekick, Patrick - who are often seen holding hands - are secretly practicing the Love That Dares Not Speak Its Name.
And the Nickelodeon superstar's taste in television - he enjoys the imaginary ``Adventures of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy'' - was also called into question.
The attempted outing of SpongeBob is bound to generate as much controversy as Jerry Falwell's 1999 pronouncement that purple Teletubby Tinky Winky was gay because he carried a purse.
For its part, the We Are Family Foundation contends that the video was made to promote diversity and they plan to distribute it to schools this spring.
``We believe that this is the essential first step to loving thy neighbor,'' Nile Rodgers, the founder of WAFF, told the BBC. ``And the fun and exciting format makes it a lesson that's easy for children to learn.''
WAFF's attorney, Mark Barondeso, added that anyone who says the video promotes homosexuality ``needs to visit their doctor and get their medication increased.''
jeez.
it was bad enough when Tinky Winky was gay... now they gotta pick on Spongebeb too? he's a cartoon. how can a cartoon be gay? they can't have sex. they're a friggin cartoon! 
i think some people have too much time on their hands. there's nothing wrong with teaching little kids to be nice people.
(which is basically what i think Spongebob is all about, really)
By Inside Track
Friday, January 21, 2005
Happy cartoon icon SpongeBob SquarePants is just a little too gay for one conservative Christian group that charges that Bikini Bottom's most famous resident is a homosexual.
Focus on the Family is up in arms about a music video created by the We Are Family Foundation that shows the popular porous cartoon character and several other kids' favorites dancing to the Sister Sledge song, ``We Are Family.'' The group claims SpongeBob & Co. are promoting a ``pro-gay agenda.''
``We see the video as an insidious means by which the organization is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids,'' Paul Batura, a spokesman for Focus on the Family, told the New York Times. ``It is a classic bait and switch.''
The Times reported that the group's head, James Dobson, also attacked SpongeBob at a pre-inauguration black-tie dinner in Washington, D.C. Tuesday night.
Dobson apparently believes that SpongeBob and his cartoon sidekick, Patrick - who are often seen holding hands - are secretly practicing the Love That Dares Not Speak Its Name.
And the Nickelodeon superstar's taste in television - he enjoys the imaginary ``Adventures of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy'' - was also called into question.
The attempted outing of SpongeBob is bound to generate as much controversy as Jerry Falwell's 1999 pronouncement that purple Teletubby Tinky Winky was gay because he carried a purse.
For its part, the We Are Family Foundation contends that the video was made to promote diversity and they plan to distribute it to schools this spring.
``We believe that this is the essential first step to loving thy neighbor,'' Nile Rodgers, the founder of WAFF, told the BBC. ``And the fun and exciting format makes it a lesson that's easy for children to learn.''
WAFF's attorney, Mark Barondeso, added that anyone who says the video promotes homosexuality ``needs to visit their doctor and get their medication increased.''
jeez.
it was bad enough when Tinky Winky was gay... now they gotta pick on Spongebeb too? he's a cartoon. how can a cartoon be gay? they can't have sex. they're a friggin cartoon! i think some people have too much time on their hands. there's nothing wrong with teaching little kids to be nice people.
(which is basically what i think Spongebob is all about, really) 
(and so what if they weren't anyway? they're both wonderful human beings, nomatter what)
