A reader sent us this cartoon from Canada’s Mississauga News. He found it so offensive that he felt compelled to write the editor a letter. We don’t really think it’s insensitive or disrespectful. It’s true, queer families can get a bit complicated. Shit, non-queer families can get complicated…
Regardless, he went through the trouble of sending it, so we’re posting it for you. Any opinions?
Threnody
I LOVE the dyke haircut the woman on the right is sporting. You can clearly tell she pulled the other one over to the “dark side”
Seattlejo
Doesnt bother me at all, in fact this is what my family looks like. Instead of getting introduced as the other mom I get “This is Seattlejo, she’s my back up gaurdian”
nystudman
This should be the most offensive cartoon I ever see.
nystudman
I mean, if that IS the most offensive cartoon I ever see, I’ll be happy. Because it’s not offensive. whatever
jackmuscle
I’m interested in nystudman’s stats and location… nice handle stud.
Nick
The only thing offensive is the cartoon’s assumption that recognitigion of gay relationships has somehow made things more difficult or confusing for kids. Thousands and thousands of kids already have two moms, because their divorced fathers have remarried. Or two dads, or maybe even more of each if their parents remarry more than once.
Blended families have been a reality for a large number of children for decades now. So why single out gay families as if we are some kind of exception?
Ash
Pshaw. That cartoon is the opposite of offensive. It’s funny. Tell your reader to get a job at GLAAD.
mattymatt
I think someone needs to take a refresher course at the Mississauga School Of How To Draw Peoples’ Hands.
JBinns
I STILL do not understand what exactly straight people are so afraid of. They are absolutely petrified at the thought of two gay people trying to be more, um, ‘normal’ and settling-down and being as boring as they are? Oh well…
danifesto
I’m a gay Ontarian so I think I’m qualified to judge offensiveness. I get the point of the cartoon and think it works as funny and poinant at the same time. From a kid’s perspective, it _would_ be hard to explain! As a teacher, I’ve had kids try to explain the complex relationships of their straight parents (“this is my ‘real’ dad and this is the dad my mom married and is really more my dad than my first dad”). I’ve had four adults at parent-teacher conferences (biological set and the partners they moved on to after each other).
Gay people didn’t set up confusing families. Straight people have been doing it well for some time now. These gays just wanted legal recognition of their family.
martini-boy
I find the ‘DONT ASK’ phrase to be the most offensive. Really, the first thing I thought of upon reading it was the don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy of the US army. That’s offensive in and of itself. Maybe that’s just me, though.
el polacko
not especially offensive .. although i take other posters points that gay moms and dads are no more confusing to kids than any other modern family arrangements so why single us out ? but at least the son is just treating it as a fact of life. maybe children of color should be offended for being portrayed as easily bewildered.
spiffy
The only thing I find offensive is the stereotypical “lesbionic” styling of the woman on the right… Unless this cartoon was drawn in the late 80’s / early 90’s.
papabing
Being that I (a lesbian) have a 5 month old son with my partner and have a known father this comic is actually funny. We laugh alot at the fact that someday our son will probably have to have this same conversation about 100 times with his friends. Well, except for his friends with other gay parents. It’s just a comic, nothing more. Hell, most straight familes are hard to explain as well!