VEGGIETALES Creator: It’s Only a Matter of Time Before We Have to Address LGBTQ Issues
By Jessilyn Lancaster, Managing Editor
VEGGIETALES Creator Phil Vischer says children’s television programs will soon have to address lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer issues in their content.
“I think it will have to be addressed at some point; I do think it’s a matter of time,” Vischer told The Christian Post. “But, right now, I think it would be difficult for a couple of reasons. First: the nuance of how to treat LGBT issues isn’t agreed upon within the Church; and secondly, some parents may want to have that talk with their kids. It’s tricky because it’s so divisive. It would be hard to do it in a way that works and matches everyone’s expectations.”
Vischer created VEGGIETALES in 1993 and voiced the iconic Bob the Tomato. Vischer and other writers used the animated series to teach children biblical and moral lessons.
VEGGIETALES CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR won the 1998 “The Kerygma Award” from Swiss America at the Movieguide® Awards.
“We make this to help parents raise healthy, happy kids in a terribly muddled world,” Vischer told Movieguide®. “Just imagine how delighted we are that MOVIEGUIDE® and Swiss America has chosen to honor our work in this way. At the end of every VEGGIETALES episode, Bob the tomato comes out and says, ‘God made you special, and He loves you very much.’ If kids don’t learn anything from VEGGIETALES except that they are special and that they are loved, then the world will be a better place.”
Now more than a decade later, Vischer recognizes the “terribly muddled world,” is still in need of quality, biblical content. However, many people equate LGBTQ issues to the civil rights movement. Despite parental qualms about addressing LGBTQ issues with their children, they may soon be forced to do exactly that.
“Parents are definitely going to have to deal with a growing LGBT presence in children’s media,” Vischer told The Christian Post. “It’s going to show up more and more as the world has decided that LGBT issues are in the same categories as race and civil rights issues. So to say you shouldn’t have a same-sex couple on SESAME STREET is the equivalent of saying you shouldn’t have a black couple on SESAME STREET.”
Vischer also issued a clarion call for quality, biblical children’s entertainment.
“I’d love if something better came along because that would mean there was a vibrant industry,” Vischer said. “The fact that 26 years later, VEGGIE TALES is still the crowning achievement of Christian kids media isn’t necessarily a good thing.”
Vischer also writes THE MR. PHIL SHOW, which teaches children all about the Bible.
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