A German author has analysed the 490 gay scenes and more than 70 gay characters in The Simpsons, concluding the show has helped dispel prejudices. Erwin In het Panhuis, a Cologne-based librarian, says The Simpsons set the standard for cartoon series, telling the Süddeutsche Zeitung “I believe it’ll always be a trailblazer.” In Behind the Gay Jokes - Homosexuality in The Simpsons he says the gay characters helped prejudices, and points out that in 2005 The Simpsons was the first cartoon series to dedicate an entire episode to gay marriage. In het Panhuis says the complexity of the characters plays a particularly important role, citing the example of Smithers' unrequited love for his boss Burns. He also believes that beneath Homer’s gay jokes lies a more complex character. “Homer has kissed other men on the lips more than 50 times throughout the series but despite that he's happily married to his wife … Homer is sometimes heterosexual, sometimes gay and sometimes homophobic.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 3rd July 2013 - 11:44am