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More gay cartoon characters revealed!
salon.com ^ | 2/05/05 | Liz Larocca

Posted on 02/05/2005 7:44:02 PM PST by raccoonradio

Crazed right-wing moralists, take note: Before SpongeBob, there was Snagglepuss ... and Huckleberry Hound ... and even Popeye.

Recent events in the world of animated children's shows have caused people to question whether the cartoon industry is promoting a homosexual agenda. Allegations have been directed at SpongeBob SquarePants for participating in a pro-gay video, and at Buster the Bunny for his fraternization with a lesbian couple and their children. While some have dismissed these allegations as the rantings of ultraconservative Christians, gay cartoon characters do in fact exist, and some of them are even politically active. I recently asked some of them to share their stories.

Sitting in the living room of his well-appointed Cape Cod-style home, a cultural icon recalls his heyday with sadness and regret. "I was in constant fear of being found out," says Popeye, sipping herbal tea. "I thought once I cast Olive Oyl, everyone would know. She was so tall and lanky, with that boyish figure ..."

He trails off, shaking his head. "If you want to know the truth, I picked her because she reminded me of someone." He smiles and looks wistful. "Ensign Robert Flynn. Some of my fondest memories of the Navy revolve around him."

Popeye the Sailor Man, the animated embodiment of testosterone, lived in terror of being outed, as it would have ended his lucrative career. "Bluto threatened me with that a couple of times," he confesses. "I always wondered about him, though. He was so hypermasculine, always swaggering around like he had something to prove." He sighs and leans back against the antique sofa. "Maybe I'm just projecting, though. I did a fair amount of macho posturing myself."

First making the scene in 1929 as a bit player in a comic strip, Popeye became an immediate success. The series was finally renamed for him, and movies followed. In the '30s, Popeye's films were even more popular than Mickey Mouse's.

"Even though we were rivals, Mickey was one of the few people who were nice to me after learning I was gay," Popeye says.

"You know, people don't realize how different it was back then," he continues. "It wasn't like today, where only a few religious nuts get upset and boycott your work. My whole life would've been ruined if I'd come out. I had no choice."

Popeye stops and stares at the floor for a moment. "But still," he almost whispers, "every time I said 'I yam what I yam,' I felt like a fraud."

Reluctant to say more, Popeye tells me to check out the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Cartoon Alliance. He says the group helped him immensely when he finally decided to come out as gay after being brutally caricatured on-screen by Robin Williams.

Three days later, I'm in the parlor of a lovely San Francisco townhouse, being entertained by a self-described "proud queer, an old queen, ev-en!"

"I can't believe America didn't know," says Snagglepuss. "I mean, the cuff links, the flamboyance, the theater jargon -- plus, I'm pink, for heaven's sake!"

"I think it's terrific what SpongeBob is doing," he declares as he accepts a white wine spritzer from longtime companion Huckleberry Hound. "I've heard rumors about Squidward, too." Snagglepuss looks at his partner. "Two out and proud gays on one show, wouldn't that be fabulous?!"

The more reserved Huckleberry shakes his head. "I just wish it wasn't such a big deal. It would be nice if they'd leave his private life out of it and just allow him to be the amorphous asexual blob that he was drawn to be."

"I had a much different Hollywood experience than Puss," he continues. "The producers were looking for someone to host a show, to be a major player. They didn't care that I was gay, but this was 1959, and they didn't want any speculation about me." He sits down on the end of the chaise longue and puts his hand on Snagglepuss' leg. "They liked my look, but I sounded very effeminate."

"Luckily, he could do wonderful impressions," Snagglepuss chimes in. "They just fell in love with his Andy Griffith!" Snagglepuss grins. "Guess how we met. I was a guest on his show and then got my own segment. It was love at first sight."

"We were well known among industry players after that," Huckleberry says, looking sheepish. "I'm a homebody, but Puss always wanted to be out at all the parties."

His sociability proved fortuitous. Snagglepuss and Huckleberry soon became confidants of other prominent cartoon characters struggling with their homosexuality. And what started as an informal support group slowly morphed into a political action network.

"During the mid-'70s, the public became more aware of just how many celebrities were gay," explains Snagglepuss, turning serious. "Well, that included us, and people began speculating about cartoons the same way they did about human actors."

"The ironic thing is, they were wrong about one of the first gay icons," he adds. "There was always a lot of talk about Velma, but she's strictly hetero."

"That's true," agrees Huckleberry. "And a militant feminist. She carried around a dog-eared copy of 'The Second Sex' and refused to dumb herself down for the cameras. That's how the rumor got started."

"Even we believed it," Snagglepuss admits. "But then Daphne, who's actually bi, told me that she'd tried to get Velma to 'experiment' a couple times, but she wasn't interested. Velma's always been supportive of our cause."

"Everyone including Scooby-Doo has been supportive," he continues. "I guess once ... apparently, Fred and Shaggy both had a lot of Scooby snacks, and, well, one thing led to another ..."

"Let's just say it changed their perspectives," concludes Huckleberry. He looks at Snagglepuss. "We can leave it at that."

Asked which characters are members of the LGBT Cartoon Alliance, Snagglepuss runs off some names: Jabberjaw, Auggie Doggie, Mr. Slate of "The Flintstones," Elmer Fudd, Pepé Le Pew ("He's what's now called pan-sexual," says Snagglepuss), everyone in "Josie and the Pussycats," all three members of "The Hair Bear Bunch," several Smurfs, and Gargamel, and Foghorn Leghorn.

"That last one surprised even us," Huckleberry says. "And Bugs Bunny hasn't officially joined, but he has been to a few meetings." He divulges, "He had to dress up as a woman a lot on the show, and then found himself doing it off-screen."

Snagglepuss adds, "Of course, he could just be a straight cross-dresser, but he enjoys flirting with men. You may have noticed that he kissed a lot of male co-stars on his show, too." Huckleberry nods. "He's still trying to figure himself out."

Though both admit to some progress for gay cartoon characters, they're worried about the future. The increasing influence of the religious right and the passage of state laws banning gay marriage have Snagglepuss rallying the troops for the battles they may face in the next four years.

"I guess the most significant thing is that we've reached out to the puppet community," says Snagglepuss. "It's an important alliance. Tinky Winky weathered the storm, Bert and Ernie are still going strong after all these years, and Big Bird and Snuffleupagus just announced their engagement. Except for the hullabaloo about Buster the Bunny's human friends, PBS has been very supportive."

Huckleberry is less optimistic. "I just don't know what these next few years are going to bring. I'm concerned, very concerned." He shakes his head. "If these people knew what it used to be like for us they wouldn't force us to deny who we are. They'd have some compassion."

Snagglepuss puts his arm around the man he calls his husband. "They're only human beings," he says gently. "They just don't have the kind of depth that we do."


TOPICS: Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: buster; cartoons; gays; homosexualagenda; humor; spongebob
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To: Sivad

Just pointing out your misdirection, as it continues.


301 posted on 02/09/2005 10:03:14 PM PST by scripter (Tens of thousands have left the homosexual lifestyle)
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To: scripter

Still pathetic. Whoops, I posted to you! My bad.


302 posted on 02/09/2005 10:16:26 PM PST by Sivad (NorCal Red Turf)
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To: Sivad

Re: Barking up Wrong Trees....woof.

Cal Thomas, hardly a liberal expressed similar sentiments in an article appearing in the Wash. Times, hardly a liberal newspaper.

"Shedding light in dark places"
Are cartoon characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Buster the Rabbit (that, some critics say, promote homosexuality) threats to the "traditional family"?
It is distressing to have great intellectual and moral concerns reduced to the cartoonish, both in the form of animated film and the posturing of some who wish to fight the culture wars at this level.

Most who accept the label "conservative Christian," or its synonyms, spend too much time throwing stones at the cultural citadels and too little acquiring and developing the skills and knowledge to compete in the ideological and cultural arena.

The rest is here:
http://www.washtimes.com/commentary/20050208-083631-7886r.htm





303 posted on 02/09/2005 11:48:25 PM PST by Smartaleck (CD "Never argue with an idiot, he'll bring you down to his level - then beat you with experience")
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To: Smartaleck

So Thomas demonstrates a little elitism now and then. Doesn't mean he's right all the time.


304 posted on 02/09/2005 11:52:06 PM PST by k2blader (It is neither compassionate nor conservative to support the expansion of socialism.)
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To: raccoonradio
I'm glad they mentioned Bugs Bunny in this article. Growing up I never liked the cartoon because of all the cross dressing and kissing male characters. Back then the homosexuality thing wasn't all over the place like it is now, but I remember I was surprised that it didn't seem to bother any of my firends.
Now as an adult when I tell people that they think I'm nuts and some friends even try to pull the repressed homosexuality crap on me.
305 posted on 02/09/2005 11:54:40 PM PST by freedom moose (has de cultivar el que sembres)
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To: F16Fighter

Who is snagglepuss? I don't remember him?


306 posted on 02/09/2005 11:55:40 PM PST by freedom moose (has de cultivar el que sembres)
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To: Sivad

"1.You refuse to understand that joking about cartoon
characters does not translate into apathy regarding the homo sexual agenda."

Good point and one I'm sure many share the same notion.

FR is a great place for humor, especially if it's Kennedy, the Clintons, caption this picture etc.

There are, it seems, to be some subjects though that people insist on creating a dialog that only seems to bolster the claims and stereotyping by the left/Democrats that Republicans are homorless, meanspirited, uptight, Bible(insert word of your choice), rightwing nuts?


307 posted on 02/09/2005 11:58:34 PM PST by Smartaleck (Tom Delay TX: (Dems have no plan, no agenda, no solutions.))
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To: k2blader

"So Thomas demonstrates a little elitism now and then."

I think he's saying pick your battles. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill....you're missing the big picture.

Further, instead of complaining about, say the education, system, figure out where the conservatives you used to be a big part of them went.....run education and set your own rules.

What in that don't you agree with or have I missed something in his intentions?

What part is Cal wrong on?


308 posted on 02/10/2005 12:34:24 AM PST by Smartaleck (Tom Delay TX: (Dems have no plan, no agenda, no solutions.))
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To: Sivad
I would probably never would have even replied to a post of yours had you not decided to response to my minor admonition to nicmarlo.

I was not responding to your treatment of Nicmarlo. You asked, (#166) "Maybe you can provide me with some links to threads in which FReepers demonstrate a lack of concern about the homosexual agenda getting into schools." I responded (#177) by telling you to see the post immediately following yours, for an example. You responded to me (#180) "Sorry but I agree with those who think you folks are bark- ing up the wrong tree." Then you went on to mischaracterize my postings on this subject. That's when I decided to stop being polite, and I called you an idiot. Scripter didn't call you an idiot, and isn't guilty of it just for having addressed me, the person who called you an idiot. Your rationale is idiotic.

#295 Oh, what a wonderfully liberal thing to say. To be a vic- tim.....I guess the liberal disease is contagious. Of course, the liberal precursor is to personally attack the opposition ("idiots" in this case) and then retreat to victimhood when called on it.

How do you find time to fight the good fight against the homosexual agenda when you are so busy p***ing off and alienating conservatives?

I'm not your victim, and never will be, so get that fantasy right out of your head. Pretty ironic that you would describe your actions, and accurately label them "liberal." I haven't pi$$ed off any conservatives. I can't even take credit for pi$$ing off you and the other liberal on this thread. You did that to yourselves. I did nothing to offend either of you until you had already worked yourselves into a frenzy.

309 posted on 02/10/2005 12:37:36 AM PST by BykrBayb (5 minutes of prayer for Terri, every day at 11 am EDT, until she's safe. http://www.terrisfight.org)
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To: Smartaleck

Actually, the liberals aren't deriding conservatives for being humorless on this particular subject. They're deriding us for being a bunch of morons who think Sponge Bob is gay.

Gee, where would they get that idea? It couldn't be from all the gay Sponge Bob jokes. It must be from the serious discussions about the teaching materials promoting homosexuality to children. Nobody on Free Republic has posted a single joke about it. They've all flocked to the documents, and are now engaged in serious discussions about it. /sarcasm


310 posted on 02/10/2005 12:44:26 AM PST by BykrBayb (5 minutes of prayer for Terri, every day at 11 am EDT, until she's safe. http://www.terrisfight.org)
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To: Sivad; scripter; BykrBayb; justshutupandtakeit
1st Post 85 by Nicmarlo:

As evidenced by people like those posting here, it is their type of behavior that has allowed the homosexuals' agenda to advance and spread so quickly across the country in the past dozen years or so and why the gays feel free to infest children's classrooms with their ideologies.

Rather than attack or mock and ridicule the homosexuals for propagandizing children at school, and other places, that homosexuality is "normal" and "equal to" heterosexuality, people such as those posting here, instead, laugh at and deride those who refuse to accept that homosexuality is normal and vociferously object to children being recruited into homosexuality.

Post 23 by Sivad:

Relax. It is the uptight, 'sky is falling' mentality that contributes to the demise of the dark side. On the other hand, we on this side of the world we have a sense of humor and since the smoking light is in the "on" position we choose to laugh. Tomorrow it is back to the culture war.
Post 125 by Nicmarlo:

Again, I find no humor in recruiting children into homosexuality or the inculcation of the belief that it is either a normal or healthy lifestyle.

They are doing these things with kids at school, and other places.

Making fun of Dr. Dobson was the point of this article. Ridiculing those who voice their real concerns about real events only enables and emboldens the homosexuals.

Post 125 by Sivad:

I am quite sure that most of who responded to the topic of this thread were quite aware of the purpose of the article in question. Like me, they share your concerns. However, as you know, much of what goes on here amounts to "preaching to the choir". My point is that many who contributed a little levity to this thread are no less concerned about "recruiting children into homosexuality" than are you. They merely decided to address the most superficial element of the article for laughs. Addressing the underlying point of the piece is something that is better done with the general public as opposed to an audience of like-minded conservatives IMO.
Post 190 by justshutupandtakeit:

Ridiculing nonsense which makes conservatives look stupid is the point of the article and it does an excellent job of it.
you both have attempted to muddy the issue by spinning it off onto a matter merely of cartoon characters, RIDICULOUSNESS, or making mountains out of molehills.

Those conclusions could only be reached if:

a) you hadn't/haven't read all the information, the articles, or the posts/links concerning We Are Family Foundation website and the curriculum which used to be posted at their site such as Writing for Change or

b) you don't have a problem with the homosexual agenda targeting schools, or

c) you don't believe there is a homosexual agenda targeting schools.

In face of all the evidence provided at numerous posts above, one would have to be blind to the efforts of organizations such as the We Are Family Foundation (WAFF), the entity behind the video in question and their agenda at schools and with children. Of course, there are more groups than just the WAFF behind the inculcation/propagandizing of children. There is also the Anti-Defamantion League, tolerance.org, and Court TV, just to name a few. These other groups also provide curriculum to teachers or workshops for teachers to use on children. Once teachers use their materials, children are encouraged to use their websites to continue being inculcated with the propaganda that "homosexuality is normal" and which also encourage their experimentation with such behavior.

311 posted on 02/10/2005 5:20:59 AM PST by nicmarlo
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To: scripter
For your enjoyment... a recap!

That's a pretty good recap, scripter. How is it that what I initially said got spun into cartoon-land, when I never said anything about cartoon characters? : )

312 posted on 02/10/2005 5:32:16 AM PST by nicmarlo
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To: Sivad; scripter
The battle was a creation of nicmarlo.

Just because you say it's so doesn't make it so. That's your own reality, not the truth. Kind of like what the Media did to Dr. Dobson, isn't it?

313 posted on 02/10/2005 5:33:47 AM PST by nicmarlo
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To: BykrBayb; nicmarlo
Then you went on to mischaracterize my postings on this subject.

Indeed, and that's the reason I put that quick recap together.

That's when I decided to stop being polite, and I called you an idiot. Scripter didn't call you an idiot, and isn't guilty of it just for having addressed me, the person who called you an idiot. Your rationale is idiotic.

And pathetic: Instead of apologizing for misrepresenting our concerns, he tried to turn it around, say it was our fault and then threatened us. At a minimum, the record demonstrates Miss Davis wasn't paying the slightest attention to the evidence.

314 posted on 02/10/2005 6:00:54 AM PST by scripter (Tens of thousands have left the homosexual lifestyle)
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To: nicmarlo
Kind of like what the Media did to Dr. Dobson, isn't it?

Indeed!

315 posted on 02/10/2005 6:02:03 AM PST by scripter (Tens of thousands have left the homosexual lifestyle)
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To: nicmarlo
How is it that what I initially said got spun into cartoon-land, when I never said anything about cartoon characters?

A very good question indeed. Perhaps we should all change our taglines to say something similar to: "It's not about cartoon characters - it's the teachers guide"...

316 posted on 02/10/2005 6:04:24 AM PST by scripter (Tens of thousands have left the homosexual lifestyle)
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To: BykrBayb

You had me going for a split second, and then I saw the sarcasm tag.


317 posted on 02/10/2005 6:06:56 AM PST by scripter (Tens of thousands have left the homosexual lifestyle)
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To: scripter; BykrBayb
Perhaps we should all change our taglines to say something similar to: "It's not about cartoon characters - it's the teachers guide"...

Good idea, scripter.

318 posted on 02/10/2005 7:09:37 AM PST by nicmarlo (It's NOT the cartoon characters, stupid, it's the TEACHERS' GUIDE)
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To: scripter
You hear that, nic? It's all your fault! So stop pushing the truth here and leave freepers in the dark about the homosexual agenda's attack on children.

Yeah....it's all my fault that I pointed out that it is the BEHAVIOR of people like those posting here which has allowed the homosexual agenda to flourish. Darn....the truth has been exposed.....blisful, feel-good, ignorance is a "so much better" pill to swallow, ain't it?

319 posted on 02/10/2005 7:16:16 AM PST by nicmarlo (It's NOT the cartoon characters, stupid, it's the TEACHERS' GUIDE)
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To: nicmarlo; scripter
Maybe just once. You may consider it a gift from Terri.

5 minutes of prayer for Terri, every day at 11 am EDT, until she's safe. http://www.terrisfight.org

320 posted on 02/10/2005 10:28:09 AM PST by BykrBayb (It's not about cartoon characters - it's the teachers guide)
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