'Simpsons' unveil gay character
2005-02-22 12:23
Los Angeles - The cartoon comedy The Simpsons has taken a swipe at the real world controversy of gay marriage by having its latest episode centre on a same-sex union.
In the show broadcast on Sunday night, dysfunctional family patriarch Homer Simpson was the minister at the wedding of Patti Bouvier, the sister of Marge Simpson.
She was set to marry "Veronica" - a golf pro on the female tour. But the wedding was called off at the last minute when Marge tore Veronica's dress at the neck to reveal a large Adam's apple.
It transpired that Veronica was a man in disguise, who took up the ruse in order to play on the professional women's golf tournament.
The plot was welcomed by supporters of gay marriages and blasted by opponents. "It's saying to those who demonise homosexuality, or what they call the homosexual agenda, anything from 'Lighten up' to 'Get out of town,'" said Communications Professor Marty Kaplan.
However, L Brent Bozell, president of the Parents Television Council, said: "At a time when the public mood is overwhelmingly against gay marriage, any show that promotes gay marriage is deliberately bucking the public mood." - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA