Dumbest. Outrage. Ever. LGBT “Activists” take aim at the Simpsons!

Well, I guess if you live long enough, you see everything.  Some LGBT “activists” are up in arms over what they consider to be the “homophobia” in this past weekend’s Simpsons episode.

It seems that during an episode that was an homage to the great Charles Schulz/Peanuts’ “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, Nelson Munz, BULLY (get it? he’s a BULLY) called the grand pumpkin “really gay”, then punched Milhouse (playing the Linus role) in the gut, repeatedly.

That’s it.  That’s the crime.  Jeez, where do I begin here?  Should I point out that the Simpsons has been one of the most pro-gay TV shows on air for the past decade plus?  Should I point out that it makes fun of everything?  That, ten years ago – or more – on an episode where John Waters played himself – a gay man – Bart Simpson referred to hunting as “sounding kinda gay” (and the world laughed).   

Perhaps I will point out that just because Hillary Duff and some self-appointed, humorless, keepers of truth and thought police in the LGBT “activist” community have decided to make the use of “gay” as a denouncing term their cause du jour does not mean that they are correct.

The clip is attached.  Judge for yourselves.  I have no problem with it.  Then again, I think that the Simpsons are pretty gay, generally. The controversial part starts at about 15:45:

(Image courtesy of Fox)

Comments

[AdmiralDupont]

Though video stream is unavailable to me, methinks I get the message.

However, it sounds like politically correct thought police cannot tell the difference between a Jack-O-Lantern and "jacking off" at the mouth.

[Mark Green]

But isn't Matt gay?

[Ralph]

??????????????????

Simpsons Rule!

Did they get the parts about Wasihngton and Lincoln getting married? Did they ever see the part of Lincoln with his hand stroking Homer's butt??

Stupid women! If Marge isn't stroking Ned's wife, it is a bad show!

[Timothy Winkler]

This artical is so stupid! Whomever wrote it wanted to make something of nothing. The same episode showed a gay wedding and a gay closing scene with homer and Lincoln. Yeah i'm gay and I even think this article is uncalled for.

Stop making things out of nothing!

[Joe Moag]

As the post clearly points out, the issue under examination is that some "activists" have a problem with a single line in the Simpsons episode. Don't believe that? Google the issue and you can see for yourself. As the post also clearly points out, the author who posted it thinks that this "controversy" is misplaced and uncalled for. I should know, I am the author who posted this.

[morgan mcconnell]

yes, derogatory gay humour can be very funny, and yes, the simpsons does make fun of everyone. that being said, the use of the word "gay" in a derogatory sense is pretty insulting. if nelson had said that the grand pumpkin was"really nigger", or "really chink" would that have been OK? no. so why is it ok to use a sexuality as a blanketing negative term. people really need to think about how they use words and the power that they have on those around them.

[Tyson France]

OK see. This is why fucking marriage amendments keep passing. It's because so-called "activists" choose to focus on HARMLESS CARTOONS AND COMMERCIALS instead of ENCOURAGING GAY PEOPLE TO GET POLITICALLY INVOLVED.

No wonder the country hates gay people: activists like this make us look like a bunch of whiny pussies.

[Denton]

Well, I watched this episode. While I absolutely abhor the use of "gay" as a pejorative, I do think that the Simpsons writes were making a satirical point. I'm surprised it has taken this long for that (sadly, now popular) expression to find its way into the script. I do not think this is homophobic, HOWEVER the flippant use of it on a popular TV show, whatever the reason, may give a less intelligent and more impressionable audience the idea that it is OK.

[Michael Galloway]

Thank you. Seriously. Thank you for posting a really hilarious episode of the Simpsons. And thank you for showcasing an example of homophobia. When I think of the word "fanatical," most times I think of religion. Then again, I suppose anyone can be categorized as such, including gay rights activists. I often ask myself, "Is this a battle worth fighting?" In this case, I think this particular activist should ask himself "Is there even a battle here?" This wasn't just humorous, it was fun. Even if it actually had merrit and were a bit more serious and negative, this does nothing but help us. Any time homosexuality is incorporated into mainstream culture, we win a victory of progress. This especially holds true when it is something as enjoyable and welcomed as humor. With the humor, we too are being welcomed.

[Onlywayne]

Hold it a second, Morgan! You said, "...the use of the word "gay" in a derogatory sense is pretty insulting" and then drew a parallel to the use of the words "nigger" and "chink." The point is that NELSON the BULLY is the one using the word "gay" in a derogatory way. Obviously the writers intended us to laugh at what a bigotted moron Nelson is; they were NOT encouraging us to laugh and say, "Oh, yeah, man, that Grand Pumpkin really IS super gay! Hey, let's go beat up gay kids!" We ARE capable of nuance and irony, we CAN deal with the ambiguous and witty...becase we ARE "soooooo GAY!"

[Tony Smith]

Hey, I'm not only gay...but a publicly gay writer and I feel this is ridiculous. The Simpsons is the gayest-friendly show that's ever aired. They're only portraying kids the way kids act. Maybe the point they were making was entirely misconstrued!

[alfredo]

stop making a big deal its just the simpsons. get over it they make fun of everyone

[eastcoast]

For real, lets focus on BIGGER issues like California not passing marriage than the Simpson calling some character "gay"...maybe if they said fag it would be another issue but they didn't. Plus, its the Simpsons they make fun of EVERYONE deal with it.

[cocomin]

Seems to me this is a bitter reaction to CA banning gay marriages. The Simpsons and even South Park have been making fun of all walks of life for years - why is someone trying to scandalize it now?

[HT]

Posted by: AdmiralDupont | November 06, 2008 at 11:57 AM

Ditto. I saw the episode and never mind it's the funniest episode for any number of years now, people are really finding the smallest things to make the biggest noises over.

[Bill]

It just goes to show you that people have too much time on your hands... you know what an activist is? Someone who doesn't have any friends. Celebrity activists are the worst... really empty shells of wasted human beings.

I am gay (well bi, if you want to split hairs and tell me I don't count) I don't find any problems with it... in fact if you look back over the years there has been tons of pro-gayness in the Simpsons. Nevermind the fact that one of Marge's sisters is openly gay, and in the same episode we discover that, Springfield makes a ton of money, and becomes popular because of their support of gay marriage.

The guy that made the correlation between using the word "nigger" in the same context as "gay" is either a straight trying to look gay so he can post a comment on a gay board, confused, or just WAY overly sensitive.... let's look at it from this point of view, using GAY in the context it was used in the show, would be the same as using the word BLACK to describe an African American... if we were to speak of context and liken it to using the word "nigger" then we would have had Nelson call the Grand Pumpkin a "fag" or a "homo"

Controversy not withstanding, we're all missing the point of the Simpsons. The show is supposed to echo life in the common household, in the real world. Whether you like it or not, in the real world people talk and act like this. You are either going to have to get used to it, or get a frigging sense of humor

[Devil Contra Code]

Gay people can be really fucking "gay". And by "gay", I mean it in a derogatory way for STUPID.

[Jose Alfaro]

OK CALM DOWN ACTIVIST!!! Your calling the Simpson's homophobic? They have got to be the most gay friendly show ever! OMG that strange relationship between Smithers and Mr. Burns, Patty ( Marge's sister) who came out in a 2004 episode, Homer moving into the "West Side" of Springfield with 2 gay guys, the Flanders kids(we see there gay the Lisa's Wedding episode years back), Martin Prince. They even did a full episode with John waters called “Homer's Phobia” which was one of there best episodes check it out on hulu. I just like it how activist are so quick to jump the gun and assume a show is homophobic based on just a few seconds of it. Watch The Simpsons and you will see they are not homophobic at all or just sit down and watch the full Halloween episode and you will see Lincoln getting frisky with Homer in heaven lol!

All i have to say is, GET A LIFE!!! Go attack some of the real problems and the real homophobia that's on TV, go protest real problems like Prop.8 see if the courts can over turn that again don't attack a cartoon show. Activist her is something to check into. Have you seen Yo Gabba Gabba and that strange homo acting black stereotype there that looks like Bootsy Collins....check into that!!! Seriously that show should not be watch by any kid. Who ever came up with that show was on a good one or still is just watch it you'll know what I mean lol!

PEACE OUT!!!

[Brian]

The creator, Matt Groening, wrote a comic strip for years called "LIfe In Hell." Two of the characters he featured regularly were Akbar & Jeff, who were a gay couple. The obvious theme running through all the strips with these 2 was not only the normalization of the gay experience, but also them being in a quite committed and stable relationship. I really doubt Mr. Groening would approve any writing for The Simpsons that was meant to be homophobic.

[Nuriko]

Did the Joe forget to mention the whole Lincoln putting the moves on Homer and Homer being totally okay with it.

"The grand pumpkin's super gay," is just Nelson being a jerk, as per usual. Anyone who watches the show knows that's what Nelson does -- DUH!

[Gary]

The Simpsons pokes fun at EVERYTHING. Arby's, gays, religion, rocks, everything.

I agree that Groenig would not approve anything homophobic.

I am Canadian but isn't America based on free speech?

Family Guy is way worse.

[Rndmacts]

The comments and the whole hullaballou are so gay. Really the authors of the episode are gay, the episode itself is heavily gay. Yes while not using the phrase would be ideal, then I take offence of the usage of the word queer, faggot and gay that are so liberally sprinkled around this site. I suffer from depression so I am not a gay individual, I am an individual who is depressed and happens to be homosexual versus being heterosexual. From now on I am taking offense at the use of the words, queer, faggot or gay to describe me. I strongly recommend the editors find a new name for this site, as the current name is part of a derogatory term, "That's so Gay"

Get a life, grow some skin, there are more important things in life than "The Simpsons".

[Chris]

I wish activists would stop thinking for me. I laughed at that line. I'm a patriotic American, I didn't think Lincoln cupping Homer's ass was offensive. Should the GOP think its wrong?

What would some humorless gay activist do?

I think they should get over their fucking selves.

[callman]

LMAO.That was hilarious. I've been watching the simpsons for 20 years now. LBGT needs to get their panties out of a wad. There's nothing wrong with that line.

[Loky]

Nelson uses the phrase "that's so gay" and then later accuses the Grand Pumpkin of racism. I think it's suppose to be a comment on how most people think its okay to be a bigot regarding one group and not another.

[niceguyina2]

"Gay" originally meant "happy" or "cheeful" until someone somewhere decided it should be synonymous with homosexual. Now, someone somewhere in recent culture has decided it should also mean something negative and having nothing to do with either of the aforementioned meanings. SO FUCKING WHAT?

Frankly, I'm surprised the Bible-thumpers aren't raising hell over Millhouse's desecration of The Apostle's Creed. (Or am I the only person who noticed that?)

[Andrew]

can we say social commentary? there is a reason nelson uses the word gay.

[rankola]

The alleged controversy reminds me of the overly reactive commentary about advertising that the people at commercial closet do. Granted, there are some valid points, but some of the commentary is downright vapid.

[youreopinionsaresogay]

Joe your ability to think is so gay.

(1)Should I point out that the Simpsons has been one of the most pro-gay TV shows on air for the past decade plus?
(2) Should I point out that it makes fun of everything?
(3)That, ten years ago – or more – on an episode where John Waters played himself – a gay man – Bart Simpson referred to hunting as “sounding kinda gay” (and the world laughed).

Assume (1) and (2) are true, which I do. That means that the simpsons can ON THE WHOLE be pro gay but in part offensive.

(3). Something about a bunch of guys alone together in the woods...seems kind of gay. Bart is using the word gay here to mean something like 'something gay people would do'. The joke is completely different, which is obvious (to those whose thinking isn't so gay) from the say Bart sets up the joke, his tone of voice in delivery, and the reactions of the men afterwards. In the clip above, it is used as a pejorative. If you don't know what pejorative means look it up.

[peter]

Yeah i think we should totally claim the word gay as ours(in as much as we can). Let it be up there with chink and nigger...if any cartoon character or real person in the world says something is gay or "very gay" or "way gay" or "whatever gay" we should react as if they are saying something is "very nigger" or "very chink" or "very female"! Most sane people of any standard will today, correct or admonish a friend or acquaintance or even a stranger when they use other words in this manner...Why shouldn't gay people and friends/family of gays do the same?

[SERIALSEAN]

The last time I checked 'The Simpsons' (while enjoying a broad audience base) is a show that is written and produced for a mature audience - and not that of 'impressionable youth.'
This implies that we as a mature audience we can understand and decipher the humour involved in this episode without having it portrayed in a literal and discriminative nature.
If people wanna whine and complain over this, maybe they should look at themselves and how they address eachother in public - I could argue that calling another gay man 'girl' or 'sister' or referring to him as 'she' which is blatently done in public, the media, and on television could be construed as a derogatory and intentionally hurtful label...
I say get over it, and move onto larger and more socially impacting fights instead of chasing down an animated sitcom intended for mature adults.

[Daniel]

Oh, that is so gay

[joe]

No wonder everyone is down on gay marriage, people make such a big deal over the stupid petty crap like this when they should be out there getting others to see how gay people really are, anyone now a days will take anything too personal. Get over yourselves, IT'S A TV SHOW!!!! Need i remind you of the power plant scene that turns into a gay night club. If the simpsons are "homophobic" then I'm straight!

[Greg]

What the "protestors" were protesting was the use of gay as synonymous with bad or messed-up and I think that this is a legitimate concern. It is surprising to me that the gay community is so desensitized to this. Possibly it's because its use is so mainstream. Nevertheless, this is very much like saying "I was jewed" with the word "jewed" being synonymous with cheated. I would expect the Jewish community to be upset with any show making a comment like this as I would expect the gay community to be upset about this comment. Hopefully someday, we will realize that our self-worth is more than “bad” or “messed-up”.

[cdinaz]

This article is really "gay" as in "lame". Get over it....

[Tyson]

i think it's hilarious that we are so quick to jump on the defense and say homophobic this and homophobic that. Why should this bother anyone? it's entertainment, i think as a community we need to develop a littel thicker skin and develop a sense of humor. come on guys lighten up and let's focus on equal rights instead of focusing on trivial matters of entertainment.

[wolf4t3]

How do people expect to be excepted when they can't except themselves?

[mongoco]

In an episode several years ago, Milhouse passed a love note written by Lisa to Nelson who assumed it was written by Milhouse. The next scene was Milhouse being taken away in an ambulance presumambly after getting his ass kicked by Nelson, who suffered no punishment for the off-screen gay bashing.

That "joke" was far worse and more serious as it legitimizes the gay panic defense.

[ejbonk]

Protesting this makes as much sense as VP Dan Qauyle's May 19,1992 comments on the T.V.show Murphy Brown being the root cause of evil in America.

[Alan]

You got to be kidding?!?!!?! These idiots really need to get a bloody life. Is this all they have to do in their life? My advice to them, get your f'ing head out of your a$$.

[Tyler]

I think it's really funny honestly.
It's how kids talk today, honestly.

[Sam]

I don't agree. I just think you're being too general to call Hilary Duff and others 'humorless.' I think because it tends to be used soooo much in real life schools with nobody really challenging it. Hilary Duff and others just want to bring some balance into the world. I don't think they're 'thought policing' anybody.

There comes a breaking point with some people, where you might think that all the adversity you face makes you stronger but that isn't being realistic. Basically, gay people as a whole need to get over their celeb worship (me included) and come back down to earth if they want respect and the balance of knowing when to laugh and when things really matter.

Simpsons is just art so they get that pass. But gay kids are bothered by those comments in REALITY. Comprehende? Wizard of Oz and Hollywood isn't real gays. Time to come back down to earth.

[Lonzrick]

I'd have to say that both sides are right.

Yes, the use of "gay" was derogatory and insulting. No matter *who* says it, cartoon bully or otherwise.

Yes, if instead of "gay" the word "nigger," "kyke," or otherwise had been used, there'd have been a firestorm of epic proportions! But bashing the gays is apparently still ok.

Yes, the fact that Nelson said it *should* be an indication that only sub-intelligent morons say such things. However, many more sub-intelligent morons watch the show and will have heard Nelson say it and will have LAUGHED at the fact that Nelson called something he didn't like "gay." Remember Archie Bunker? He was an ass too, but there were many other real-life asses who looked up to him for his views!

What *should* have happened is something along the lines of Nelson spouting off, bashing Milhouse...then having some cosmic punishment delivered to him as a result of his callousness and stupidity.

Then it would have been (not-exactly) funny...but would have given a laugh to the bigots *and* a message that it's not "cool" to be a moron.

[Indigo]

Some people do not understand the power of words and how allowing a word like 'gay' to be used in that fashion is noting but bigotry and hate. To allow it to be used over and over (with time and no recourse) will eventually make it acceptable. For everyone who has problems with the 'F'word (not I), FUCK YOU if you think using the word 'gay' to mean something awful is ok to do...

[Austin]

I guess from what I've read below in quite a few posts. Several people merely read the title and went off on a tangent about things being made out of nothing with this article. The article is about the fact that someone made a big deal about it and they shouldn't have. The author of this article is pointing the absurdity of it out, not making something out of nothing...read...I encourage you...read.

[RJ M]

I'm thinkin these activists are dumb for even thinkin the Simpsons are attackin or whatever. Get a life and stop with this bull. It's nothing! I'm wondering what the hell you people are going to go after next? Thing is when you are not happy with one thing you go onto something else that is attacking you just to put it out there. This is why I can't stand some people with all thid drama in their lives. It's obivous you need to get over yours before attacking something as beloved as the Simpsons. Go hide back in your closet for a while!

[steve]

the simpsons has always been positive about the LBGT community and they have made fun of us too..all in a loving way. to make a big deal about this is absurd, who wants us to get our panties in a bunch? make up your own mind..many of our gay "leaders" are idiots...who thrive on the spotlight, being paranoid, and being ts...and oh yeah use your heads next time and maybe a disater like prop 8 will not happen again.

[Mike]

Excuse me...is Hilary Duff a Lesbian? If not thanks for the concern but really.....
When we lose our sense of humor we lose whatever power we may have. It's our humor that keeps us going...such silliness!

[Jamie]

It is long past time that this show went to the trach can that it belongs in. Never have liked it!

[spencer]

It is both significant and insignificant. It is significant because I think that it is a problem that overwhelmingly the word gay is used as an derogatory term and the power structures that the use creates and enforces. That is a real problem. I do not however think that the Simpsons are a real problem. People always seem to figure out a way to get pissed off. We have bigger problems than the Simposons (Prop 8 anyone?).