GOP Senators Want to Police LGBTQ+ Content in Kids' Shows
sent a letter Wednesday to the TV Parental Guidelines Advisory Board asking it to update its rating system in light of “disturbing content” in children’s shows.“In recent years, concerning topics of a sexual nature have become aggressively politicized and promoted in children’s programming, including irreversible and harmful experimental treatments for mental disorders like gender dysphoria,” the letter says.
It disregards the fact that treatments given to transgender youth are not experimental, irreversible, or harmful.“Recently, a video emerged showing a prominent executive at children’s entertainment giant Disney saying she supports having ‘many, many, many LGBTQIA+ characters in our stories,’” the letter continues. “To the detriment of children, gender dysphoria has become sensationalized in the popular media and television with radical activists and entertainment companies.
This radical and sexual sensation not only harms children, but also destabilizes and damages parental rights.”The senators also note Disney’s opposition to Florida’s recently enacted “don’t say gay” law, restricting classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Many LGBTQ+ activists and allies, including Disney employees, found the company’s opposition weak and belated, however.A press release from Marshall’s office says the letter is “in response to Disney’s latest campaign to embed left-wing sexual politics in its children’s programming.”The advisory board, created by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, has a voluntary rating system for TV shows, noting if they contain content that might be inappropriate for children of various ages.
