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WASHINGTON- The Traditional Values Coalition announced Tuesday that "My Family is Normal," a children's television special on straight families, will be aired by Fox Family Channel in August. The program was produced by TVC in response to the recent Nickelodeon program "Nick News Special: My Family is Different," which discussed families with gay parents and encouraged tolerance and diversity.
In the hour-long program, "Normal" teaches children that the only real family is a man and woman joined in matrimony by the church, and warns children that "families that don't have a mommy and daddy" are wrong and lead to "hellfire and damnation." As in "Different," "My Family is Normal" features children from gay and straight parents, as well as the straight parents, including Andrea Lafferty, executive director of TVC. "Our program will warn children of God's judgment on homosexuals, and encourage children to shun people who do not uphold Christian principles, such as Catholics and Mormons," said Lafferty.
The program includes a list of names to call children with gay parents, and a segment with the children of straight parents using sticks to sodomize and beat the gay parents' children, who are dressed in drag. In addition, the program features a special message from Westboro Baptist Church leader Rev. Fred Phelps, reminding viewers "God hates fags and their children and their vomit and feces eating lifestyle."
Reaction from conservative groups was mixed. "If kids don't see themselves reflected, they feel isolated and alone. I'm glad this program was made to let my kids know that its okay to hate homosexuals. It's a great boon for the souls of our children and our nation," said Bill Murran, a member of the TVC.
However, the conservative American Family Advocates president Janice Wryte was opposed to the program. "This program is just as bad as the Nickelodeon special. The mere fact that they acknowledge the existence of… gay families is cause for concern. We must not expose our children to that prurient line of thinking."
Reaction from the gay community has also been less than positive.
"Who would let their children watch this stuff? It's upsetting," said Frank LeMans, member of the Gay Parenting Association of America. "At least '[My Family is] Different' didn't have kids in bad drag."
Rosie O'Donnell, who was featured in the Nickelodeon special, remarked, "It's a good thing they didn't ask me to be in their program. I'd have shown those kids how to kick some gay-basher ass!"
Despite general dismay from the gay community, Log Cabin Republican national spokesman Bernard Masters defended the program, stating, "As with the Nick special, 'My Family is Normal' teaches our children important lessons about life. For instance, if you are limp-wristed, dress in drag, or behave in some manner that is otherwise embarrasses the gay community, chances are, you will be sodomized with a stick."
On the negative reaction from the gay community, Lafferty remarked, "Nothing is hurt by talking about it."
Still, the negative reaction hasn't deterred TVC from airing the special, and have announced plans for additional programs, including "My Family Believes Creationism," "My Family Bombs Abortion Clinics," and "My Family Votes Republican."
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