# Nickelodeon special on gay parents: Would you let your kids watch? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 18, 2002, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696 "2002-06-18T15:22:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![grendel72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/91b2a8/32.png) [@grendel72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grendel72)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/181 "2002-06-22T00:44:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dr. Lao \* > \*\ ***Biggirl** brought it up to counter some Dr. Laura lies. \*\* Sorry about that, I somehow missed that particular Dr. Laura quote. As to the GLAAD vs. Dr. Laura subject, while I shed no tears when her show was cancelled I don’t agree with the tactics GLAAD used. For proof I offer the fact that I started a thread complaining about it when they used similar tactics against the movie Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. I would ask for evidense of bigots _ever_ being censored. I once mentioned a case in my home town where the same city council that dug around for BS excuses to shut down a Marilyn Manson concert went out of their way (providing extra police officers for security, giving them a larger space to congregate than the protestors who were seperated…) to avoid shutting down a KKK rally. I often hear bigots claim they are being “censored” when someone dissagrees with them, but I’ve yet to see any censorship. ---
**Author:** ![dreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dreamer)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/182 "2002-06-22T02:22:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by musicguy \* > \*\* > > So, the question is, if you are a parent, (or even if your not) would you allow your kids to watch this show and what are the reasons for your choice? Do you think it is appropriate subject matter? \*\* I’m just gonna throw my little 2 cents in here - I’m not a parent but I have worked with kids for almost 10 years and am currently a Nanny to two girls (9 and 11) and also a close friend of **musicguy**. I’m also a bible-believing Christian. I would have no problem letting the girls watch this show and no doubt would of watched it with them and talked about it afterwards. Even if they were my own children I would feel the same way. We live in this world and interact with people that are different than us every day, so why try to keep kids out of the reality of that? They know about homosexuality. They’ve heard the word “gay”. I think if they are informed and knowledgeable about issues like this it will be easier for them to relate to people they meet in these situations later on in their life, whether they agree with the lifestyle or not, at least they will know that everyone deserves the right to be treated equally and loved. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![musicguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@musicguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/musicguy)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/183 "2002-06-22T02:41:44Z")
And thats why I love ya \*\*dreamer[b/]🙂 Welcome back from your hiatus! ---
**Author:** ![musicguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@musicguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/musicguy)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/184 "2002-06-22T02:43:29Z")
and thats why I love VB code, grrrr ---
**Author:** ![QueenAl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/d26b3c/32.png) [@QueenAl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QueenAl)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/185 "2002-06-22T21:39:12Z")
Slight hijack… I have a question for everyone, but particularly **Saen** , **WVWoman** and **Jerseyguy** : I am a lesbian and I have a child. If we lived in the same neighbourhood, would you prevent your child from playing with mine, because I’m gay? That’s what it comes down to - if you would want to ban other people’s children from watching this show, you presumably disagree with the way I live my life. Would you go as far as discriminating against my child because of _my_ sexuality? And perhaps I’m wrong, but I thought this programme was about being the child of gay parents, not about being gay. ---
**Author:** ![WV\_Woman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@WV\_Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WV_Woman)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/186 "2002-06-22T22:21:12Z")
QueenAl, provided your kid was roughly the same age as mine, I’d be THRILLED if our kids could play together. (There are no 2 year olds in this neighborhood.) Would YOU let YOUR kid play with the child of a devout Christian? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![QueenAl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/d26b3c/32.png) [@QueenAl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QueenAl)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/187 "2002-06-22T22:30:10Z")
I meant **JerseyDiamond** , of course. ---
**Author:** ![QueenAl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/d26b3c/32.png) [@QueenAl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QueenAl)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/188 "2002-06-22T22:39:30Z")
WVWoman - some of my best friends are Christians (;)), and have kids that my daughter plays with. Some of them don’t know I’m gay, because it’s not something that always comes up in conversation, although it would if I had a partner. The point to my question was that this programme (which I haven’t seen, not living in the US) seemed to be about giving children like mine an even break. I’ve yet to see anyone justify why she should not be treated fairly, and I’m not sure anyone can. ---
**Author:** ![musicguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@musicguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/musicguy)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/189 "2002-06-22T23:12:16Z")
Unfortunately, none of the people that were so against this show watched it either to see what it was about. You are absolutely correct **QueenAl** as far as the shows premise. I did watch it and it was very good. Many of the people that were so adamant about it not being shown probably would have had no problem with it. But they were told by another group that hadn’t watched it that it was bad and they believed them. That disturbs me a little. ---
**Author:** ![JerseyDiamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@JerseyDiamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyDiamond)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2002, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/190 "2002-06-23T05:16:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MrVisible \* > \*\*That’s because I don’t understand, huh? You know, you’re right. I don’t understand how a wise, omnipotent supreme being would have his followers hurt people who just want to love each other. Please explain to me how a god that commands such incredible injustice can be seen as being compassionate, wise, and good. Really. I don’t understand. Explain it to me. That’s your job, right? Converting sinners? So, go ahead. Convince me; why should I worship such a travesty of a god? > > Oh, and as much as I enjoyed your reprise of “Some of my Best Friends are Gay” (subtitled, “Really, I Disapprove of How They Love, But They’re Fun To Hang Out With”), you failed to answer the question above it. Let me remind you: > > You’ve been really good at handing down pronouncements about what people do and don’t understand. How about backing them up with a little explanation? \*\* Ok, first of all, God does not want us to hurt people who want to love each other. I don’t recall saying that. Point it out to me please. If it hurts to give up your worldly desires and wants, keep in mind that your reward is in heaven. Second, God is just. Third, my job is not to convert sinners. We are all sinners. My job is to tell you the truth. And to those who will listen, the Good News. God will do he rest. I wish that you were sincere about wanting to know/believe. Convincing? I am not selling a car. We are talking about the rest of your life, the rewards God has to offer you. This is not something I can type up in the classified and make you buy it. Why should you worship God? a. You are commanded to. b. As we give Him honor, He puts us in a position that enables us to know and enjoy His goodness. c. God loves you. God is complete without us. It is us that needs Him. We benefit when worshiping God, not the other way around. ---
**Author:** ![JerseyDiamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@JerseyDiamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyDiamond)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2002, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/191 "2002-06-23T05:36:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kirkland1244 \* > \*\* > Certain groups face hardships far worse than other groups. You don’t need a show called “Be Nice to Straight White Rich Christian Males.” They don’t face much bigotry, prejudice. They’re not denied equal rights by their government, they’re not in vast numbers for job placement, you don’t here kids or brainless adults calling something stupid “so straight.” \*\* I didn’t know that all Christian men are rich. That’s great. They don’t face much bigotry, predudice and name calling? Cite please. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kirkland1244 \* > \*\* > That is a stupid analogy. A bank robber is a bank robber becaue of something he _does_. A gay person is gay because of something he _is_. If a person has the inclination to rob a bank, but never does so, he’s not a bank robber. But a gay person, even if they’re a virgin, is still gay, even if they never act on their natural orientation. \*\* That is assuming one believes it is biological. To me being gay is a choice. It’s not natural. ---
**Author:** ![JerseyDiamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@JerseyDiamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyDiamond)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2002, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/192 "2002-06-23T05:45:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by grendel72 \* > \*\*One bisexual who has never been molested checking in. > I really would like an explanation of how a God who would punish love the same way he would punish murder is worthy of worship. \*\* He doesn’t punish love. He punishes sin. He said not to sin. If you continually do it, you get punished. Murder=sin homosexuality=sin a sin is a sin Love is not a sin. ---
**Author:** ![JerseyDiamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@JerseyDiamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyDiamond)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2002, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/193 "2002-06-23T05:54:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*“As a matter of fact I happen to think Cajun Man and Dr. Matrix are the cat’s meow. I have hung out with them at dopefests in NYC. I would have no objections to my daughter meeting them. I think she would love them. That doesn’t mean I would want to introduce their values to her. It is my responsibility to teach values to my child.” > > —OK, this makes no sense to me. You adore Cajun Man and Dr. Matrix—as do most of us who know them. You think they are “the cat’s meow.” Yet there is something so, I dunno, what? evil? twisted? about their so-called “values” that you would have to warn your daughter against them? Their “values” of having loved each other and lived together for more than 20 years? Something is off-kilter here. \*\* What’s off kilter is that you don’t see homosexuality as a sin and God does. So to you, it’s ok. I like Cajun Man and Dr. Matrix, I didn’t say I want to be them. Just because someone happens to have a nice personality and is fun to hang out with does not mean I want to be like them. So please Eve, don’t put words in my mouth. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2002, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/194 "2002-06-23T05:59:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JerseyDiamond \* > \*\*That is assuming one believes it is biological. To me being gay is a choice. It’s not natural. \*\* Maybe it [is.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=121466) ---
**Author:** ![JerseyDiamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@JerseyDiamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyDiamond)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2002, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/195 "2002-06-23T06:06:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ThunderBug \* > \*\* > So since the Bible sets forth rules on slavery and how both a master and slave should act, are you putting forth that slavery is both justifiable and moral? > > The Bible dictates that one shouldn’t castrate a male domestic animal. So even though society encourages neutering animals to control the pet population, it is wrong because the Bible says so? > > How about killing witches? Stoning adulters? > > Apparently _some_ morality is decided on by popular vote. How do you get to judge what is right and wrong then? Because some preacher told you so and selectively choses biblical verses to prove it? You’ve dismissed the dietary laws, but there are plenty more laws which you never explained why you don’t have to follow. > > Groups of supposedly Christian people used the law (which they are supposedly exempt from) to burn Joan of Arc at the stake for dressing like a man and kill hundreds for practicing what they perceived as witchcraft. How is what you are doing much different? Your words and morals are depriving them of life in one form or the other. \*\* The stuff you mention is in the OT. We are not bound to the laws in the OT. Jesus freed us from those laws. I am not sure who burned Joan of Arc, but I assure you not all Christians are the same or even believe the same thing. So that has what to do with me? You act as though I am making up some new rules. ---
**Author:** ![JerseyDiamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@JerseyDiamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyDiamond)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2002, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/196 "2002-06-23T06:14:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\* > Like **Eve** said, I don’t understand. I’ve also met **Dr. Matrix** and **Cajun Man** –in fact, they stayed at my apartment when they visited DC for a Dopefest. They are swell guys and a wonderful testament to love and commitment. Are those bad values to teach your child. **Jersey Diamond**? \*\* Like I said, love isn’t the issue here. Of course I would teach her that. The Bible has lots of examples of love. ---
**Author:** ![JerseyDiamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@JerseyDiamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyDiamond)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2002, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/197 "2002-06-23T06:21:41Z")
**QueenAl** Yes, I would let my daughter play with your daughter. I would never tell my daughter that your daughter is bad or different. It’s your lifesyle I disagree with. I have no problem with your child. The only thing that would be different is I would not let her go over your house. ---
**Author:** ![JerseyDiamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@JerseyDiamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyDiamond)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2002, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/198 "2002-06-23T06:24:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by musicguy \* > \*\*Unfortunately, none of the people that were so against this show watched it either to see what it was about. You are absolutely correct **QueenAl** as far as the shows premise. I did watch it and it was very good. Many of the people that were so adamant about it not being shown probably would have had no problem with it. But they were told by another group that hadn’t watched it that it was bad and they believed them. That disturbs me a little. \*\* I watched a little. Thought it was stupid, so I turned it off. ---
**Author:** ![Kirkland1244](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kirkland1244](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kirkland1244)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2002, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/199 "2002-06-23T06:45:06Z")
JerseyDiamond, being gay is not a choice. You are not gay, so you are totally ignorant of the situation. As someone who is gay, let me tell you, from my position of knowledge, that being gay is in no way a choice. I didn’t choose it, I even tried to fight it, but you can’t change who you were made to be. Kirk ---
**Author:** ![MrVisible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@MrVisible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrVisible)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2002, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696/200 "2002-06-23T06:46:20Z")
Welcome back to the fray, **Jersey\_Diamond**. > [@](#): > > Ok, first of all, God does not want us to hurt people who want to love each other. I don’t recall saying that. Point it out to me please. If it hurts to give up your worldly desires and wants, keep in mind that your reward is in heaven. So, why keep hurting people? Why keep insisting that others have to follow a moral code that you can provide no justification for? I have no problem with your morals, your values, or your religion… as long as you don’t try to impose them on people who don’t believe as you do. And that’s precisely what you’re advocating in this thread. And that is hurting people in, as I’ve cited, vast numbers. So, stop sinning against your fellow humans. Understand that while you see homosexual acts as being wrong, it’s just your belief. It’s not shared by everyone. And it’s not a justifiable basis for a political platform. You want to know where you advocated hurting someone? You emailed Nickelodeon. Your beliefs led you to protest something you hadn’t seen, had badly misapprehended, and didn’t understand, in order to discourage them from disseminating information that could keep kids from getting harassed, insulted, beaten, and worse. Nice going. What Would Jesus Do, indeed. You may believe in heaven all you like. The political stance based on your religion is hurting thousands of people who are just trying to love each other. Whether you believe it’s a sin or not, it’s not hurting you. Your beilefs have made it impossible for me to do something as simple as hold my boyfriend’s hand in public without doing a tactical assessment of the situation. > [@](#): > > Third, my job is not to convert sinners. Then why do you advocate the suppression of innocuous information about the children of gay parents? Information which was designed to help some very vulnerable children, who all to often fall victim to an inordinate amount of cruelty? Here’s my question for you, **Jersey\_Diamond**. Why should laws based on your religion apply to me? I don’t believe in your type of god. Why should they apply to my boyfriend, who’s Navajo? His people have their own distinct set of laws and traditions. Who, in other words, has decided that your religion should dictate the laws of this land? And listen to this with an open mind, okay? I was gay when I was eleven years old. Imagine: I was a kid, in a country foreign to me (Ireland), and I realized that I had deep feelings for a friend of mine. I didn’t know what they meant, I didn’t understand the fantasies I was having; I was scared out of my wits. I had no-one to talk to about it. I wanted, more than anything else, to fit in, to be like the rest of the boys, to start noticing girls. Instead, I was noticing the other boys, and it terrified me. Tell me this, **Jersey\_Diamond** ; why, at the age of eleven, not even knowing the word homosexual, not having ever met anyone who was gay, would I have made a choice like that? When all the messages in the world were urging me to be straight, when I wanted with every fiber of my being to be like everybody else, would an eleven-year-old boy choose something that left me alone, lonely, scared, and bewildered? Explain that to me, if you can. > [@](#): > > I watched a little. Thought it was stupid, so I turned it off. Yeah. Okay. What was stupid about it? Oh, and since you discount the Old Testament, what biblical passages are you basing your condemnation of homosexuals on, specifically? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nickelodeon-special-on-gay-parents-would-you-let-your-kids-watch/114696.md?page=11)