On Sunday, the Disney Channel made television history by introducing its first-ever lesbian couple on the series “Good Luck Charlie.” News of the planned storyline emerged last June, prompting former Disney child star Miley Cyrus to tweet excitedly: “Is this true?!?!?!”
Yes, Miley, it’s true!
The storyline shows hetero parents Amy and Bob Duncan (Leigh-Allyn Baker and Eric Allan Kramer) awaiting a playdate for their preschooler Charlie (Mia Talerico) and one of her new friends. When the little playmate arrives, along with her same-sex parents, Bob realizes that she has two moms. (Not surprisingly, they’re blonde, conventionally feminine and attractive.) It’s all good, but the budding friendship is put to the test as one mom chats with Amy, while the other is stuck listening to Bob’s dull stories.
Sounds like a typical modern family situation and very matter-of-fact, right?
Right!
Well, right-wing media and right-wing conservative activist groups such as One Million Moms condemned the episode.
“Conservative families need to urge Disney to avoid controversial topics that children are far too young to comprehend,” organizers wrote last year, according to Lez Get Real. “This is the last place a parent would expect their children to be confronted with topics that are too difficult for them to understand. Mature issues of this nature are being introduced too early and too soon, and it is extremely unnecessary.”
Too difficult to understand? Extremely unnecessary? At a time when shows like “Modern Family” and “Glee” are dominating the airwaves and garnering top ratings, it’s obvious that American viewers want shows depicting diverse family situations. Naturally, kids want to see their own family situations reflected on TV as well.
And Disney Channel agrees.
A Disney Channel spokesperson told TV Guide that the episode was “developed to be relevant to kids and families around the world and to reflect themes of diversity and inclusiveness.”
We applaud the network for breaking new ground and taking children’s TV programming in a positive, diverse, all-embracing direction.
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