American Family Association's Tim Wildmon backed caller's warning of "evidence of homosexuality and lesbian people on programs like HGTV and Animal Planet"
During the October 11 broadcast of Today's Issues, a daily show on the Christian broadcasting network American Family Radio (AFR), host Tim Wildmon -- president of the American Family Association (AFA), which operates AFR -- agreed with a caller's claims that "you really, really, really have to watch what you are watching on TV" because "evidence of homosexuality and lesbian people" appears in programming on cable channels HGTV and Animal Planet. He responded by telling the caller, "You're very perceptive ... because that does happen, even in the most innocent of places." Wildmon also warned that "you have to watch out for children's programs today as well because they'll slip it in there as well."
HGTV is a cable network devoted to home and garden design themes and owned by The E.W. Scripps Co. Animal Planet features animal- and pet-related programming and is one of several cable channels owned by Discovery Communications Inc.
American Family Radio is a network of nearly 200 radio stations across the United States whose stated mission is to "inform Christians about what is happening in America." AFR's owner, the AFA, was founded by Donald E. Wildmon, Tim's father. The AFA "believes that the entertainment industry, through its various products, has played a major role in the decline of those values on which our country was founded."
From the October 11 broadcast of American Family Radio's Today's Issues:
CALLER: I just wanted to make a comment that you really, really, really have to watch what you are watching on TV. I have come upon evidence of homosexuality and lesbian people on programs like HGTV and Animal Planet, where you really don't expect this to be an issue.
WILDMON: Right. You're very perceptive, [caller], because that does happen, even in the most innocent of places. You have to watch out for children's programs today as well because they'll slip it in there as well.
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Yeah, better watch out for those homosexual rays coming out of your TV screen. Studies show that too much exposure can make you like Lavender.
No chance. I'm a Hermione kinda guy.
And what's wrong with lavender???!!!
i understand there's bestiality on animal planet as well! lol
homobestiality !
I only allow MY children to watch heterobestiality. I am personally offended by homobestiality. LOL
what ??? you want them to watch, like, dogs and cats "doing it" ??? :-)
"what ??? you want them to watch, like, dogs and cats "doing it" ??? :-) -atheist
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Doesn't everybody? Do you think that's wierd?
Justice Department note: I swear I am just being silly here. It is just a joke.
And I see evidence of anti-Christ behavior on a Christian talkshow.
Homosexuals in the home design industry! Is nothing sacred anymore?!?!?
CALLER: I just wanted to make a comment that you really, really, really have to watch what you are watching on TV. I have come upon evidence of homosexuality and lesbian people on programs like HGTV and Animal Planet, where you really don't expect this to be an issue.
WILDMON: Right. You're very perceptive, [caller], because that does happen, even in the most innocent of places. You have to watch out for children's programs today as well because they'll slip it in there as well.
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Egad I almost just spit my coffee all over my computer screen I was laughing so hard. Do these TWO sound ridiculous or what?
Here's a CLUE you TWO Bozos...those gays&lesbian people can be found on NBC, ABC, CBS, and all 200plus cable stations...sneaky aren't they?
Here's a CLUE you TWO Bozos...those gays&lesbian people can be found on NBC, ABC, CBS, and all 200plus cable stations...sneaky aren't they?
and in quite a few churches, schools, McDonalds, Accounting firms, etc., etc., etc. I guess no one told Wildmon that the law "now" allows them to leave the closet.
Homersexyalls on the TeeVee? I can't sleep at night! THEY'RE EVERYWHERE! AHHHH!
Do you think if I watch one of them thar shows I mights turns gay? LOL
So I can either watch the shows and become gay or demonize the shows and become a tighta**.
Anyone want to tell me when this world became a double edged sword? LOL
In the gubmint, too! "I have here in my hand a list of 205 people that were known to the Secretary of State as being members of the homersexural communi-tay!"
Could it be possible that the homophobic tendencies of the Wildmons (not to mention, perhaps, like-minded others of the Pseudoreligiopolitical Right) may have been shaped by episodes of abuse, cruelty, incestuous relationships, even downright neglect/poverty/forced deprivation (excused all the more as "developing character") in childhood?
And what exactly prevents such Zealots and True Believers from coming forward and openly acknolwedging their having been abused in childhood?
Perhaps a psychoanalytical profile of some of the Pseudoreligiopolitical Right's majordomos may be all the more beneficial--even if the only cluedos available may be transcripts of radio and TV statements and various writings of theirs. And rather revealing, come to think of it--especially if there's hints being discreetly dropped of possible childhood abuse/neglect/cruelty such Zealots and True Believers hesitate to acknolwedge openly.
This guy must be Don Wildmon's son. I guess the nut really doesn't fall far from the tree.
I want to say that they have got to be joking. I mean, come on...Animal Planet???. Unfortunately, it's all too clear that they're completely serious. I guess it just goes to prove that when people are intent on finding something and are determined to look hard enough, they'll find it -- and that when people allow their paranoia to run rampant, they'll make mountains out of molehills and blow even the most innocuous things completely out of proportion.
This just serves as one more demonstration of the profound truth of Alexander Pope's comment that "all looks yellow to the jaundiced eye."
"I mean, come on...Animal Planet???."
Really now, those short shorts that the Crocodile Hunter wears are sooooo gay!
I want to say that they have got to be joking. I mean, come on...Animal Planet???. Unfortunately, it's all too clear that they're completely serious. I guess it just goes to prove that when people are intent on finding something and are determined to look hard enough, they'll find it - from bluestocking
Actually, the caller probably saw what he thought he saw. I saw a show that tracked several people who did dog shows over a few weeks and there was a clearly gay couple among those they followed. I'm fairly sure it was on Animal Planet.
Even if that wasn't the show he saw, it could easily have been something similar. Big surprise, shows that deal with real people in the real world come across some gay people. Who'd have believed it? [rolling eyes]
"I saw a show that tracked several people who did dog shows over a few weeks and there was a clearly gay couple among those they followed." BillJ-MN
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What you've described sounds quite a bit like the plot for the movie "Best In Show", in which I believe one of the dogs is owned by a gay couple -- are you sure that wasn't what you were watching?
What you've described sounds quite a bit like the plot for the movie "Best In Show", in which I believe one of the dogs is owned by a gay couple -- are you sure that wasn't what you were watching? - from bluestocking
No, I've seen "Best in Show" and would never miss Eugene Levy or Fred Willard as actors. What I saw was clearly a reality program spanning several episodes (though I saw them back-to-back in a marathon) covering weeks of time in those people's lives. It was months ago I saw it so I'm not positive what network it was on, but my description was accurate.
With the recent release of Good Night and Good Luck, it's telling to learn that we now have TV monitors who've come up with "evidence of homosexuality and lesbian people..."
I guess it's a given that the bible-thumpers would be concerned about the possibility of hidden recruiting messages from all those interior decorators and florists on HGTV.
I was puzzled, however, about the mention of Animal Planet since most of the folks jumping into swamps with gators and snakes aren't typically of the swishy persuasion. Following a hunch, I think I found the root of the 'thumpers fears: I got 63 hits when I searched the Animal Planet site for "evolution."
While the extreme Christian right would like to see all Gays and Lesbians to be treated as diseased criminals, they can not deny that we exist. Fundamental Christianity has become the primary force behind hatred and discrimination in American society. Television and radio programs represent many cross sections of society whether it is intentional or not. This is reality .But WWJD? Turn the channel fanatics! It is so easy to make excuses for discrimination when you are hiding behind God. What great justification for their need to hate and scapegoat. Things are staring to look a lot more like the Germany of the 1930's. While you work to deny basic rights and freedoms to all peoples remember that Gays and Lesbians will no longer go quietly to slaughter. We may be slaughtered, but we will not be silent. Why do any of you fundamentals care about society or politics? Christ said that this world would pass away and that you are the one's who should not be involved in it. What about your rapture? Hypocrites!
the old testament says that practicing gays should be killed. so actually any christian who hates gays is actually faithfully following his/her religion.
(of course i think it's all BS !)
shhhhh, don't tell anyone, but there are gays and have been gays in dubyah's Whitehouse. Imagine the outrage if the radical righties got wind of this news.
The scary part is that these two are typical of a significant portion of George Bush's base.
Talk about going to the dogs,literally. Animal Planet? C'mon.
Tim Wildmon's other scoops on subliminal gay TV shows in history.
Superman-Well he did wear a cape.
The Honeymooners- Not sure about that Norton.
The Munsters- Herman sang a folk song.
Sanford & Son- Lamont was unmarried and lived at home.
Mary Tyler Moore- She kept eyeballing Rhoda.
Mister Ed- What about him and Wilbur?
Underdog- Never giving Polly any loving?
The Odd Couple- Nuff said.
Go for it Mr. Wildmon Did I miss any?
Was that a threesome going on with Mary, Rhoda and Phyllis?
Batman and Robin, of course.
Peppermint Patty has got to be a lesbo.
Cagney and Lacey?
Starsky and Hutch?
This should keep them busy for a while.
Don't forget Huckleberry Hound.....
I did watch an episode where two labs were sniffing one another where the sun don't shine and I, for one, was appalled at this shameless subliminal promotion of the homosexual agenda. In fact I refuse to allow my dogs to watch this show any more.
are both female. They hump each other all the time. I can't escape "the homosexual agenda".
Funny stuff, sgv and phreak. And too true, MickD.
Everyone has to find someone to hate. But back in the good old days, groups took their turns as targets of bigotry. But today, the Extremists are fixated on gay people. This sexuality bigotry is not only repugnant and evil, it's also old and tiresome. But it's one place where the Christian Extremists and the Islamic Extremists agree. And since sexuality bigotry matters so much to these Extremists, Islamic and Christion, let's send them all to Antarctica. The ice is melting. It can be their Unholy Land.
It'll be pre-perfect for them. When the ice melts, it'll be a big, barren rock. It'll already look like the scorched surface that they want to make of the Earth with their hatred of those that differ from their tight, white lives.
I don't know what to say. No, wait I do Wildmon is obivously the dumbest person on the Earth next to the caller he is answering. This is pitiful, I know AFA wants shows like Will and Grace off the air, but just because a say "designer" is idenitiable gay on HGTV is no reason to think there is some sort of agenda. You can't be turned gay.
So I must be missing it when i watch these channels. There's a hidden agenda to teach our children homosexuality by way of home decor, films of lions hunting, and pet care?
It's really amazing how far the hate and hypocrisy of the radical Christian right has become. They pick apart entertainment that's clearly not meant to persuade anyone to favor a particular lifestyle, while lashing out at people who want to keep the church out of our government. How do these people go through life with such a hateful and paranoid disposition?
Um . . . whaaaaat?
Normally I disapprove of net.diagnosis, but does this seem like paranoia to anyone else? From my admittedly limited experience with Paranoid Personality Disorder, it seems like they don't really believe in coincidence, or innocent circumstances--certainly not when it could be a convoluted plot against them. And it really sounds like Mr. Wildmon thinks he is seeing sinister homosexual signals coming out of his TV.
Irene
And if these "homosexual signals" bother him so much, maybe he should dump his cable subscription, or his DishTV or whatever? Can the right get any more stupid? I suspect they can, but do they need to inflict it on the rest of us??? Although I always appreciate a good guffaw...
CALLER: I just wanted to make a comment that you really, really, really have to watch what you are watching on TV. I have come upon evidence of homosexuality and lesbian people on programs like HGTV and Animal Planet, where you really don't expect this to be an issue.
WILDMON: Right. You're very perceptive, [caller], because that does happen, even in the most innocent of places. You have to watch out for children's programs today as well because they'll slip it in there as well.
Yeah, but it's obviously OK for TV to slip in the nightly roster of greed, hate, violence, heterosexual extramarital sex, taking drugs (yes, dear, prescription drugs are still drugs), drunkenness, and ignorance, for their gentle children to steep in. But oh no, can't allow possible gay people to be seen on TV, oh no. . . .
Jesus hated hypocrites.
Wildmon might be a closet liberal. Every good neocon throwback knows, no intelligent designer would create gay animals.
If there are hidden pro-homosexual messages on TV, where do we go for refuge? Sports. Oh, but wait, that is SO gay, what with all the male but-slapping and hugging. Can't let my children know it's OK to touch the same sex in ANY way. That is the first path to homosexuality.
But really, what is wrong with promoting tolerance of other people? Saying that the homosexual agenda is insidious is akin to saying the African-American agenda is insidious and meant to overthrow society, lord knows that was said 40 years ago. I still wonder why the right is so fixated on homosexuality. They think and talk about it more than homosexuals themselves! It is pretty clear there are a lot of closet homosexuals in the GOP. David Dreier, anyone?
What is wrong with these people? Now I am convinced that Intelligent Design is not possible. There is nothing intelligent about these "Christian" homophobes.
The God I was taught about didn't hate. Jesus said to Love.
What is Tim Wildmon afraid of could it possibly be that when we are all judged one day that God will see that some of his Children (even Gays) Lived quiet productive respectable lives. While Wildmon and his type of "Christian Right" Taught Hate, Fear, and Ignorance ? Do onto others as you would have them do onto you.
I don't watch much Animal Planet, but HGTV regularly shows gay couples doing such outlandish things as redecorating, selling or buying a home. It's another kind of reality tv.
Unintended hilarity. Really, what is there to say?
How 'bout this:
"CALLER: I just wanted to make a comment that you really, really, really have to watch what you are watching on TV. I have come upon evidence of Christianity and religious people on programs like HGTV and Animal Planet, where you really don't expect this to be an issue.
WILDMON: Right. You're very perceptive, [caller], because that does happen, even in the most innocent of places. You have to watch out for children's programs today as well because they'll slip it in there as well."
Somehow I'm sure the bigot would object to such language.
We wouldn't want people to think animals do things like this.
Who are these gay people on Animal Planet? They guy that hosts "planet's funniest home videos"?
Maybe it's the announcer for "Top five BIG CATS!" Raaa!!!!
Didn't these buffoons learn anything from Jerry Falwell's Teletubby embarassment?
I see gay people.
Okay. If you want something a little more disquieting, think about the fact that President Bush's nominee for supreme court is Harriet Miers. Her chief qualification; a born again fundamentalist evangelical Christian. We've got Scalia and Roberts, ultra-conservative Catholics. We've got Clarence Thomas, conservative baptist. Now we get Harriet Miers. Then think about Wildmon, LeHaye, Dobson, Falwell, Robertson and their nutty theology and what these wingbats expouse. Imagine these people getting so much power and being in a position to implement a born again evangelical Christian agenda on the U.S.. Pretty soon, the whole country will be forced to be as ignorant and dumb as the legislature in Kansas. Now that's creepy!!
Gee, I wonder if our conservative comrades would support a faith-based federal initiative to "deprogram" gay people? They don't like their tax money being wasted to feed the poor; would they support this?
Sounds like projection. It tells us more about these two then about the programs. How can they be so uncommited to hetero-sexuality to be afraid of Bob Villa working his tool?
Just you wait. During next year's midterms the Republicans will energize their Qaeda (Base) with more homosexual hysteria and terrorist fearmongering. Why not. If it worked once, it'll work again because, as I have learned in my few excursions to the less developed areas of the USA (read: the boondocks), a large chunk of the country lives in a "white bubble" and is easily scared by such things as droves of gay married terrorists moving next door. That's the scary thing about excerpts such as this. There are people, too many people, who take it seriously.
That's hot.... to "slip it in"... you go Tim! Getting dirty on your program, I like that! You could have said any number of things, but you chose the words 'slip it in', you vile, sexy, pornographic stud you!
What? I'm reaching for straws here? I don't think so. I mean if I'm to beleive you that what I see on HGTV and Animal Planet is wrong... and that I should look out for that kind of thing on OTHER channels, I should hold the same standards for you!
I don't want my kids watching a show where they use the phrase "slip it in", because someone could find a way to link that to sexuallity!
Even though just about EVERYTHING in this world can be linkde to sexuallity... you have to continue to go after it to keep you religious base a live with something to do.
Way to go guys, you have just shown the world how close minded and ignorant you really are.
This is a prime example of why Media Matters is so lop-sided and turns people off. Instead of intelligent debate and and some good reponsive points, you turn to name calling and slander. Your intelligents (or lack thereof) just shows who you really are.
whoruanyways - Friday October 14, 2005 03:16:06 PM EST
Did you really spell intelligence, as intelligeNTS in a post chastising others for their lack thereof????? Besides there is no reasoned debate to be had here, this level of ignorance, and bigotry, deserves only scorn.
You are right, lets intelligently debate this point. Their comments are a complete joke. The comments made on that show reflect a fear of homosexuals that borders on being obsessive. It is comments like these (and the other one posted yesterday about exorcism of homosexuality) that reflect how out of touch crazy christians like these guys are. Life could be a pretty fun place with people doing what they enjoy if we let go of some of the repressive mythology that holds back our species. You devoutly follow the bible? Do so. But don't push your beliefs on others. Is that really so much to ask? I breathlessly await your rebuttal.
What's to debate here? Wildmon and his caller are idiots; there's no delicate way to say it.
"Way to go guys, you have just shown the world how close minded and ignorant you really are."
The delicious irony of that statement just struck me. We're being called closed minded and ignorant because we're making fun of someone who is closed minded and ignorant. Priceless!
Well whoruanyways, or kenkong, or tommy, or anotheramerican; (whichever name you're using today) by that standard, aren't you closed minded and ignorant for pointing out that we are closed minded and ignorant?
Hey. I happily and freely discriminate against the stupid. If Wildmon and his caller are so worried about homosexual cootie rays comin' off their TVs, maybe they shouldn't dress so provocatively. Floozies.
Last night I mentioned this thread to my wife, she said, oh yeah I bet they are talking about a specific guy she knew then MADE me watch his show. He was gay as Liberace or Rock Hudson. He also was smart funny and a brilliant designer. He had to redo a kitchen that would have looked at home as a small school cafeteria on a limited budget. When he was done even I was impressed with the what he did with the limited amount of money he had and the only thing I know about decorating I learned from my experience with Easter Eggs.
I know I've seen a show on HGTV where a same-sex couple was either househunting or choosing interior designers or something like that. But so what? Are there really people out there that fear their children will be irreparably harmed if they learn there are people of the same sex who live together?
One of the best things I've read about why Christians should accept gay couples is "Christian Eye for the Queer Guy", at [link to www.elca.org]. Here's an excerpt: "It is important to recognize that few texts in scripture—perhaps seven at most—speak directly about homosexual behavior. Significantly, the four Gospels record no saying of Jesus on the subject. The issue is not a major scriptural preoccupation. Compare, for example, the incidence of texts on economic justice, of which there are many hundreds... There are few biblical passages relevant to the issue of homosexuality, all refer to individual instances, and the biblical writers show no awareness of the modern conception of homosexuality as an orientation, natural or otherwise."
Got that? Perhaps seven biblical passages at most have anything at all to say about same-sex behavior, and nothing at all about sexual orientation (or relationships, for that matter). The mind boggles as to why so much emphasis gets put on those seven passages.
A comment in my paper's opinion page recently read, "if only the religious right hated poverty as much as they hate gays". If only....
Excellent! G.W. named Jesus as his favorite "philosopher" in a debate. Ironically, Bush is the head of a party which is anti-gay, though Jesus never mentioned gays. He's the head of a party which caters to the wealthy at the expense of the poor, though Jesus told a rich man to sell everything and give it to the poor.
Does Bush even know anything about his favorite philosopher's philosophy?
"CALLER: I just wanted to make a comment that you really, really, really have to watch what you are watching on TV. I have come upon evidence of homosexuality and lesbian people on programs like HGTV and Animal Planet, where you really don't expect this to be an issue."
Don't just stop there. I've seen evidence, though not as easy to spot, of homosexuality and lesbian people on the Logo Network, too.
Next week, Tim Wildmon shows Ashley Simpson's true agenda by playing her new album backwords.
The level of discourse at this site is quite high. There's humor here and I often find myself thinking, "I didn't think of that."
The KKK hates gays. The Islamic extremists hate gays. If I ever agreed with these 2 groups, I'd reconsider my position. Are the Christian extremists aware that they've ideologically aligned with the KKK and the Islamic extremists?
Isn't Bush gay?
So Many Christians...... So Few Lions!