Thursday, January 30, 2014

A First For Disney

Earlier this week, Disney showed their support for same-sex families through one of their Disney Channel shows, "Good Luck Charlie". The episode aired on January 26th and was the first time a same-sex couple was featured in a Disney program.

Disney first announced information about the episode through GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), who also worked with Disney as consultants on the episode to ensure it was written in a way that would be well received by Disney's young viewers.

In the episode, Charlie (the family's preschool age daughter) has a play date with her friend, Taylor. While waiting for the Taylor and her family to show up, Charlie's parents, Bob and Amy, briefly argue over the friend's mom's name as they both believe they have met her. Bob says Cheryl while Amy says it's Susan. It is after the family arrives and they open the door that they discover they were both right as Taylor has TWO moms!

I saw the full episode personally, and frankly, I think they handled this episode beautifully. They treated the same-sex couple like any other couple bringing their kid over to a friend's for a play date. There was no spotlight on the fact that both parents were women nor did they make it seem like there was awkwardness between the two sets of parents. It portrayed them as if they were just a regular family because that's the truth!

By not making a huge deal out of Taylor having two moms, it helps kids watching the episode make the connection that there isn't anything not normal about having two moms or two dads rather then a mom and a dad. Shows doing things like this help young kids realize early on that not every family is has a mom and a dad and that families come in all forms.

I definitely give Disney props for this one.Way to go Disney! You are giving hope for the future.