Disney Channel Introduces Network's First Same-Sex Couple Ever

[Rumors Rocks]

http://www.usmagazine.com/entertain...s-networks-first-same-sex-couple-ever-2014281

Disney Channel's Good Luck Charlie Introduces Network's First Same-Sex Couple Ever

The Disney Channel's Good Luck Charlie featured the network's first same-sex couple in its Jan. 26 episode.

While Macklemore was rapping about marriage equality on the Grammys stage, the Disney Channel was making a statement of its own on Sunday, Jan. 26. The network featured its first ever same-sex couple on the show Good Luck Charlie.

After announcing the decision in June 2013, the channel finally delivered when lesbian mothers Susan and Cheryl dropped off their daughter Taylor for a play date with the main family's daughter Charlie.

Disney even added in some humor to the introduction when Charlie's parents Amy (Leigh-Allyn Baker) and Bob (Eric Allan Kramer) are confused about who Taylor's mom was before meeting the couple.

"Taylor has two moms!" Bob declared after meeting the two women, proving he had been right in calling one of the moms Cheryl.
"Wow, nothing gets past you, Bob," his wife sarcastically replied.

Actress Desi Lydic, who played mom Susan, tweeted to excited fans after the episode aired, "I'm so proud to be part of that episode! Go Disney! #equality."
The show has been on since 2010 and is currently in its fourth and final season. Last June, Disney channel producers spoke with TV Guide about the groundbreaking decision to include a same-sex couple on the children's show.

"This particular storyline was developed under the consultancy of child development experts and community advisors," a Disney Channel spokesperson told TV Guide. "Like all Disney Channel programming, it was developed to be relevant to kids and families around the world and to reflect themes of diversity and inclusiveness."

The Disney Channel sitcom Good Luck Charlie is in its fourth and final season.
Credit: DISNEY CHANNEL/Bob D'Amico

At the time of the announcement, former Disney star Miley Cyrus tweeted out in support of her former network's decision.

"I commend Disney for making this step into the light of this generation," she wrote. "They control…so much of what kids think! Life isn't bright sets & wardrobe & kids becoming superstars! This is INSPIRING."
But not everyone was as pleased as Cyrus was with the family-based programming.

One Million Moms -- the same group who led a boycott on JCPennys for naming Ellen DeGeneres as an ambassador -- posted an official call to action on their website based on the historic episode.

"Disney has decided to be politically correct instead of providing family-friendly programming," the group wrote. "Disney should stick to entertaining, not pushing an agenda. Conservative families need to urge Disney to avoid controversial topics that children are far too young to comprehend. 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."
The Susan and Cheryl characters are not expected to appear on the series after the Jan. 26 episode.


Read more: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertain...st-same-sex-couple-ever-2014281#ixzz2rlzbGmBP
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[jlewisinsyr]

"Disney has decided to be politically correct instead of providing family-friendly programming," the group wrote. "Disney should stick to entertaining, not pushing an agenda. Conservative families need to urge Disney to avoid controversial topics that children are far too young to comprehend. 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."

All entertainment pushes an agenda, it pushes stereotypes, marketing, etc. Children are also much more capable of understanding things that they give credit to them; sexuality, though has the term sex has just as much, if not more to do with other aspects of a relationship then where the term derives from.

Children are constantly confronted with unknowns, the more you can make them aware and knowledgeable about what they will confront, the more capable they will be able to comprehend and navigate the situation. With more and more same-sex couples/partners, etc. choosing to have children or having children of their own before becoming couples, it is only logical that this situation is going to become more relevant as the years continue to progress.

 

[ChipnDale79]

All entertainment pushes an agenda, it pushes stereotypes, marketing, etc. Children are also much more capable of understanding things that they give credit to them; sexuality, though has the term sex has just as much, if not more to do with other aspects of a relationship then where the term derives from.

Children are constantly confronted with unknowns, the more you can make them aware and knowledgeable about what they will confront, the more capable they will be able to comprehend and navigate the situation. With more and more same-sex couples/partners, etc. choosing to have children or having children of their own before becoming couples, it is only logical that this situation is going to become more relevant as the years continue to progress.

Agreed.

 

[Alice Royal]

I'd rather children be exposed to happy families and good-natured fun than the fodder they see in the media normally--beauty is everything, sex sells, etc.

Kids don't see the controversy. They just see people. I think this is incredibly cool.

 

[DummbGiRL]

I was afraid to read the replies, yet I always do on social media... and to utter joy, I'm so happy I did! The good nature was a welcome change from typical responses and though there were few, they made my night

 

[Canooknic]

Yay Disney!!! I'm so pleased they are moving with the times!

Children are capable of understanding so much more than some people give them credit for.

Hubby and I (finally!) got married in July and had a few gay couples there. Our boys are 5 and DS1 asked one of them where his wife was, and John explained that he had a husband not a wife. DS1 replied "do you love him to the moon & back?" John (with tear filled eyes!) nodded yes and DS1 gave him a big hug and said "I love my Winnie to the moon and back too - he's my everything"

So simple, no drama and he is most certainly not emotionally damaged in any way - he understands that love is wonderful no matter who it is!

 

[TipsyTraveler]

From the article: "Disney has decided to be politically correct instead of providing family-friendly programming."

Funny, I would consider anything that is anti-equal rights to be what is NOT family-friendly.

If there were something I'd want to protect my children from in this world, it would be bigotry and prejudice.

 

[Canooknic]

From the article: "Disney has decided to be politically correct instead of providing family-friendly programming."

Funny, I would consider anything that is anti-equal rights to be what is NOT family-friendly.

If there were something I'd want to protect my children from in this world, it would be bigotry and prejudice.

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

Yuk. There's another show we can't watch. ...well - we didn't watch it anyway.

I'm all for the government treating people equally under the law. (Seriously!) But I will not promote, or allow others to promote, homosexuality as a healthy or moral to my children.

 

[Canooknic]

Yuk. There's another show we can't watch. ...well - we didn't watch it anyway.

I'm all for the government treating people equally under the law. (Seriously!) But I will not promote, or allow others to promote, homosexuality as a healthy or moral to my children.

"Yuk?" Really?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I don't think Disney was trying to promote anything. I think they were trying to make kids who have 2 moms or 2 dads feel like they aren't excluded, the same way shows include African American and Latino actors, and have biracial families. Realistically, every child out there probably knows another child in school who has gay parents, so keeping them from watching one episode of Good Luck Charlie is like trying to use a piece of toilet paper to soak up Lake Michigan.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Yuk. There's another show we can't watch. ...well - we didn't watch it anyway.

I'm all for the government treating people equally under the law. (Seriously!) But I will not promote, or allow others to promote, homosexuality as a healthy or moral to my children.

Truly sad.

Way to promote acceptance of people that are different than you.


My kids dont watch Good Luck Charlie, only because they are only 1 & 2, but the wife and I have watched it a few times when the TV has been left on the Disney Channel.

It really is a refreshing "sitcom", compared to what's out there today.

If people are going to keep their children from watching shows like Good Luck Charlie, then you might as well lock them in the basement and keep them away from the real world.

 

[ChipnDale79]

I don't think Disney was trying to promote anything. I think they were trying to make kids who have 2 moms or 2 dads feel like they aren't excluded, the same way shows include African American and Latino actors, and have biracial families. Realistically, every child out there probably knows another child in school who has gay parents, so keeping them from watching one episode of Good Luck Charlie is like trying to use a piece of toilet paper to soak up Lake Michigan.

What a great post.

 

[wiigirl]

I'd rather children be exposed to happy families and good-natured fun than the fodder they see in the media normally--beauty is everything, sex sells, etc.

Kids don't see the controversy. They just see people. I think this is incredibly cool.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Yuk. There's another show we can't watch. ...well - we didn't watch it anyway.

I'm all for the government treating people equally under the law. (Seriously!) But I will not promote, or allow others to promote, homosexuality as a healthy or moral to my children.

How one defines "morality" comes from such a personal perspective that I guess it's foolish to think society would ever reach a point where we'd all be in agreement. But, at least you recognize that your personal views about something shouldn't affect someone else's rights under the law. For instance, I would not promote, or allow others to promote, Christianity as healthy or moral to my children. However, I fully believe Christians should have all the same rights and freedoms as the rest of us, even though I disagree with their lifestyle choices. Although, I wouldn't go as far as trying to hide it from my children -- Christianity is a part of the world and they're going to have to learn how to deal with it. To each his own!

 

[umichigan10]

This country was founded on the ideas of 'all men being created equal' and that all should be able to 'pursue happiness'. The fact the government is finally realizing that all people deserve these rights is a good thing, along with the media recognizing this also.

 

[Alice Royal]

How one defines "morality" comes from such a personal perspective that I guess it's foolish to think society would ever reach a point where we'd all be in agreement. But, at least you recognize that your personal views about something shouldn't affect someone else's rights under the law. For instance, I would not promote, or allow others to promote, Christianity as healthy or moral to my children. However, I fully believe Christians should have all the same rights and freedoms as the rest of us, even though I disagree with their lifestyle choices. Although, I wouldn't go as far as trying to hide it from my children -- Christianity is a part of the world and they're going to have to learn how to deal with it. To each his own!

Best post I've seen in a while.

 

[Alice Royal]

Yuk. There's another show we can't watch. ...well - we didn't watch it anyway.

I'm all for the government treating people equally under the law. (Seriously!) But I will not promote, or allow others to promote, homosexuality as a healthy or moral to my children.

Lol, this is funny. Here's the thing--Disney showed a set of parents on TV. The gender of those parents is trivial, especially to kids. It's PARENTS who flip out and tell their kids it's wrong or that they can't watch the show because of it who are promoting anything. If you DON'T make a stink about it, life will go on as usual and it's honestly as forgettable as any other TV character who makes a one-time appearance.

I hate the term 'homosexuality' because it focuses too much on 'sexuality'/sexual attraction. There's also platonic attraction (friendliness) and romantic attraction (love). There are so many aspects of the human experience in this vein that we ignore when people stigmatize and ostracize LGBT people. Being in love and being plain ol' friendly to people are awesome things. Promoting the acceptance of people who are in love regardless of their gender is not unhealthy or amoral. Focusing on what people do in the privacy of their homes, regardless of orientation, is.

 

[Stumpy]

Yuk. There's another show we can't watch. ...well - we didn't watch it anyway.

I'm all for the government treating people equally under the law. (Seriously!) But I will not promote, or allow others to promote, homosexuality as a healthy or moral to my children.

It's a shame you would block your kids from seeing this show because you think it promotes something you don't agree with. Disney IS promoting something, but it's called a reflection of society. Your children may have neighbors, relatives, friends, or parents of friends who are gay or lesbian. Would you tell them they cannot play with little Johnny because he has two fathers? Chances are you know people who are homosexual. You work with them. You live near them. You see them in stores, you see them in public. And when you go to Disney you'll see them walking around as guests, they will serve your food, they will perform in shows, they will run the rides, they will handle guest experiences. So, your kids will be exposed to homosexuals. Teaching them that gays or lesbians are immoral is not teaching them to accept the reality of the world we all live in or the people they will encounter for the rest of their lives.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

It's a shame you would block your kids from seeing this show because you think it promotes something you don't agree with. Disney IS promoting something, but it's called a reflection of society. Your children may have neighbors, relatives, friends, or parents of friends who are gay or lesbian. Would you tell them they cannot play with little Johnny because he has two fathers? Chances are you know people who are homosexual. You work with them. You live near them. You see them in stores, you see them in public. And when you go to Disney you'll see them walking around as guests, they will serve your food, they will perform in shows, they will run the rides, they will handle guest experiences. So, your kids will be exposed to homosexuals. Teaching them that gays or lesbians are immoral is not teaching them to accept the reality of the world we all live in or the people they will encounter for the rest of their lives.

I agree that Disney is just reflecting normal society today. I am not certain, because I haven't seen the show, but it appears that Disney didn't make any statement other than that they exist and are neighbors. There is a difference between doing a whole show that promotes the lifestyle and just including something that is a part of life.

Many things are portrayed on TV I may not agree with. I don't mind their portrayal, it is more important HOW they are portrayed. Something could be portrayed very negatively, very positively, or neutrally. I don't agree with adultery or divorce, but both are portrayed commonly; some portrayals promote, some are neutral, some are negative.

In today's society any child may run into two Mom's or two Dad's at school, the playground, the store. Everyone needs to learn how to deal with this and to do so with kindness and love.

I am a relatively conservative Christian and it doesn't bother me that this couple made an appearance. As you state, it is a part of life. Whether or not you agree with the life style whether it be homosexuality or Christianity, you have to learn to live with those around you. As in Alice Royal's post.

I disagree with you about teaching immorality. You can teach that something is immoral to your children and still teach them to be kind and accepting of the person. Some people here think Christianity is immoral, some smoking, some sex outside marriage, some homosexuality, some adultery, some drinking alcohol, some witchcraft, some going to Universal (an attempt at jesting). Whatever it is, as long as you teach your children to be kind, polite, respectful, and allow others to make their own choices, than it is OK. The problem is when people teach hate or mistreatment of that with which they disagree.

You can disagree with something and still treat the people around you with respect, love, and kindness. There are many things in society I disagree with but I don't hate the people or treat them badly. I see smoking but I don't want smokers to disappear from TV or society. I did teach my children about smoking, that it was bad, and the people that do it are wrong. But I also taught them to be polite to people and love everyone.

Wow, I'm surprised this thread has gone so well and been allowed. But it is relevant since it is a Disney show.

Love is patient, love is kind... We need to love first, even those we disagree with. If only more would use this approach.