Gay Teletubbies

I had an interesting conversation with students about the merits or otherwise of the Teletubbies the other day. (Yes I get paid to do things like that!) Personally I am an admirer of the effect they have on small children (though the various Simpsons take-offs have forever ruined their wholesome image in my mind, I'm afraid).

Looking around the web to arm myself for any future discussions I found an interesting article on the merits of the TTs as role models, particularly as Tinky Winky is gay. Apparently.

Some people have nothing better to complain about. From www.theory.org.uk:

"In the United States of America, the conservative religious leader Rev. Jerry Falwell suggested that the bag-carrying purple Teletubby, Tinky Winky, was promoting a gay lifestyle to children. The argument was made in the February 1999 issue of Falwell's monthly magazine, National Liberty Journal.

The article, entitled 'Tinky Winky Comes Out of the Closet', claims: 'The sexual preference of Tinky Winky, the largest of the four Teletubbies characters on the series that airs in America on PBS stations, has been the subject of debate since the series premiered in England in 1997.

'The character, whose voice is obviously that of a boy, has been found carrying a red purse in many episodes and has become a favorite character among gay groups worldwide.'

Fearless in their pursuit of the truth, the NLJ reporters have, er, discovered what colour Tinky Winky is, amongst other soaraway revelations: 'Further evidence that the creators of the series intend for Tinky Winky to be a gay role model have surfaced. He is purple -- the gay-pride color; and his antenna is shaped like a triangle -- the gay-pride symbol'.

Obviously, no-one is safe from the sordid homosexual antics of the Teletubbies: 'These subtle depictions are no doubt intentional and parents are warned to be alert to these elements of the series. However, many families are allowing the series to entertain their children.'"