Spreading the word from Zar's LJ.

[here_inmyhead]

Creators of Adventure Time: What do you think of Bubblegum/Marceline?

I don't watch much television anymore (except MLP, and even then on YouTube), let alone Adventure Time, but the idea of a lesbian couple in a kid's cartoon being portrayed positively instead of freaky/weird? YES PLZ. Hell, the song Marceline sings is damned awesome.

Unfortunately, they've gotten a lot of flack from a ton of people about this and Cartoon Network had to take down the Behind the Scenes thing from its site. The homophobia splurged all over tumblr? Hoo boy.

Like watching television, I don't go out of my way to make phonecalls. But I called 917-408-3733 right away and gave my full support. That's not something I can ignore. It's friggin' 2011. It's time we recognized LGBT relationships, especially in kids' shows. I BELIEVE IN YOU, FLIST.

Comments

[private-enemy.livejournal.com]

I was originally typing a longer comment but it just kept not coming out right, so I kinda shortened it up a bit.

There was one post by someone about this on tumblr that said essentially that while they wished it didn't have to be this way, they understood why Cartoon Network took it down because they're a business first and foremost yadda yadda yadda and that it "just wasn't the right time" to do this.

While I do understand from a business perspective the decision, I just have to ask: When is it going to be the right time? It's like you said, it's 2011. It's time to stop pretending like homosexuality doesn't exist. Having a homosexual character in an all ages cartoon isn't "indoctrination" when it's presented as just someone like any other character in the show who just so happens to be gay. It doesn't need a bunch of hubbub made about it, and it doesn't need to be their defining trait, because the sooner it's presented in a light of "hey, this is normal, it's ok, gay people exist and it's not a big deal" then we're that much closer to social acceptance. Kids learning and accepting this as normal from a young age could help prevent so much bullying that goes on in schools. Yes I know, there will always be bullies, but if a potential bully doesn't have it in his head that "Hey, that guy's a faggot" and instead realizes "Oh, he's gay. No big deal (shrug)" then that's one less kid who's life might otherwise be a living hell in school. While I can't speak from experience in regards to that exact kind of situation, seeing as I'm heterosexual, I do know what it's like to be bullied in school and to be considered an outcast, so I can sympathize somewhat.

I really hope that came out alright and I don't sound totally naive/like a complete ass, I have a habit of doing that sometimes. x_x

[oldsneakers.livejournal.com]

"hi theeeeereeee just callin' in to show my support for bubblegum-chewin' vampires!"

[insanepurin.livejournal.com]

I've heard the business argument before, so there's something to think about on that end, but at the same time, I have the same question as you do. When the hell would LGBT be considered "marketable" enough to show to the general public if people are never shown LGBT characters in the first place?

I have no idea if there's any "canon" pairings on Adventure Time, though I've heard an argument that "A cartoon show is pretty silly to be preaching gay tolerance on. Unless it was a cartoon meant to teach about lesbian tolerance, which AT is not." But that's the thing. What people need to realize is you can have a gay character without going into an Aesop roving that OMG TEYR HOOMAN TOO!!1!1". I'm not saying AT has to be educational if it isn't. AT can go on doing AT things, and Marceline and Bubblegum can hold hands for five seconds without anyone in the show going tl;dr about LGBT rights. Heck, I dislike preachy LGBT poster-children in media as much as the next person, which is one of the reasons why Brokeback Mountain rubbed me the wrong way. ("SEE TWO COWBOYS. SEE TWO COWBOYS ANGST BECAUSE THEY'RE GAY. SEE TWO COWBOYS SUFFER BECAUSE IT'S NOT FAIIIIIIIIR.")

Boy am I testy today. I know it sounds ridiculous to be up in arms over a cartoon I've never watched, but fuck, I have the right to be upset.

[swordianmaster.livejournal.com]

In other news, people of color are uneducated savages and left-handed people are literally spawn of Satan.

I should be putting a "THIS IS WHAT CARTOON NETWORK REALLY BELIEVES" disclaimer here because all whiteboys all the time. Forever.

But I think they just have a hateboner for good cartoons. Adventure Time's getting the censorstamp, Robotomy got COMPLETELY screwed by the network, OH WELL LET'S SHOW FIVE MORE SEASONS OF JOHNNY TEST.

[swordianmaster.livejournal.com]

--To cover my ass here, let me just say that I am not saying that the censorship and hate for LGBT in serious discussion is not a real issue. It is very real, and LGBT is a very real target for the censorjockeys.

I just think that it's a further symptom of CN's shitty business decisions and total assheadery.

[kitty-advanced.livejournal.com]

Hell, one of the characters in Adventure Time is a rainbow unicorn hybrid.

If that's not a gay icon, I don't know what is.

...BRB gonna call them and demand more Rainicorns.

[private-enemy.livejournal.com]

We talkin' about rainbow horses in this here thread? :3

[kitty-advanced.livejournal.com]

I was talking rainicorns (https://d1ij7zv8zivhs3.cloudfront.net/assets/3162874/lightbox/Rainicorn.jpg?1299654226), but rainbow ponies is good too.

Rainicorns 4Evah.

Also thank goodness I found another fan of T&EASGJ. It's a love it or hate it thing, but I LOVE it. Salame and such.

[private-enemy.livejournal.com]

Rainicorns, rainbow pegasi, it's all good in the hood.

Salame to you too! Love those Corinians.

After doing a thorough analysis of your LJ (I perused it for a good minute...maybe even a full two), and I apologize if this might be a bit forward of me, but would it be alright if I friend you? You seem like an individual of fine taste.

[kitty-advanced.livejournal.com]

You can friend me, and I have friended you.

[private-enemy.livejournal.com]

Okie dokie lokie!