The Disney Channel is being criticized
for featuring a teen with two moms in the network's Make Your Mark
ad campaign.
The campaign, which aims to inspire
kids to make a difference, is currently featuring 14-year-old Ben, an
aspiring filmmaker with two moms. Ben created a film against teen
bullying.
“I hope to remind kids who are
bullied that they do have power,” Ben says in the 2-minute ad.
“They need to show courage, and if they need help, they should tell
an adult.” (The video is embedded on this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
In a post at the conservative site
Newsbusters.org,
which is part of Brent Bozell's Media Research Center (MRC), Tim
Graham lamented the inclusion of a gay family in the campaign.
“The Disney Channel has disgusted gay
activists for 'failing' to have 'out gay characters' on its
programming for children,” Graham said, referring to an
AfterElton.com
post on the campaign. “But right now, the gays are thrilled by the
channel's ad campaign Make Your Mark for featuring a
14-year-old named Ben, an aspiring filmmaker who made a film against
bullying and 'happens to have two moms.'”
In a Mediaite.com post, Andrew
Kirell busted back: “Christian conservatives have every right
to lament what is portrayed in popular culture – consumer
complaints and preferences are what drive the market for
entertainment – but instead of perpetually being outraged by every
single instance of homosexuality being 'glorified' (i.e., not treated
like a defective product, as they see it), here's an easier solution
for the anti-gay warriors: Turn off the channel, block your kids from
watching Disney (it's called modern technology), and live your life
the way you choose while letting others do the same. Easy as pie.”