Disney makes right move with lesbian couple

Courtesy of hadamsj Youtube channel

Jelina Cortero, Staff Writer

Disney Channel made history and headlines on Jan. 26 when it debuted its first lesbian couple on the popular Disney Channel show “Good Luck Charlie.”

In the episode, Amy and Bob, who are the parents of Charlie, set up a play date for Charlie and her friend Taylor. When Taylor arrives, Amy and Bob open the door to discover that Taylor has two moms, Cheryl and Susan. Amy and Bob welcomed the couple and brought them inside their house.

While there are numerous television shows, movies and networks that show gay and lesbian couples openly, Disney was very careful in their steps when considering the introduction of the first same-sex couple.

According to an E! Online article, a Disney Channel executive told TV Guide in June that, “this particular storyline was developed under the consultancy of child development experts and community advisors. 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.”

Disney Channel’s decision to introduce their audience to the first same-sex couple was brilliant. They knew their bold move would cause some controversy, but they were smart about it and I admire the network more now because of their decision.

Miley Cyrus, a former Disney star, was very happy about this and fully supported Disney.

Cyrus wrote on a tweet, “Is this true?!?!?! I commend Disney for making this step into the light of this generation. They control…so much of what kids think! Life isn’t bright sets & wardrobe & kids becoming superstars! This is INSPIRING.”

But of course, there are those who believe that Disney’s decision was a bad one. A conservative group named One Million Moms had a lot to say.

“Just because something may be legal or because some are choosing a lifestyle doesn’t make it morally correct, “the group wrote in an anti-Charlie letter in June, according to E! Online. “Disney should stick to entertaining instead of pushing an agenda…Conservative families need to urge Disney to exclude confusing 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 complicated for them to understand,” the statement continued. “Issues of this nature are being introduced too early and too soon, and it is becoming extremely common and unnecessary.”

Although I applaud OMM efforts in trying to “save” Disney, if that’s what they want to call it, there is absolutely nothing wrong with showing children two moms. It doesn’t hurt anyone, that’s a real-life situation. Some kids have two moms, others may have two dads, and though it is out of the norm, it is completely acceptable. Aren’t we passed all the judgments?

Children should not be “protected” from certain things when watching television, especially with a network that plans to open and broaden the minds of the young audience it targets. Only good things will come out of this, and we may only be at the beginning of it all.