LA Gay & Lesbian Center Sends Message to Spongebob: You're Not Alone

[paineinthearse]

LA Gay & Lesbian Center Sends Message to Spongebob: You're Not Alone

1/21/2005 3:59:00 PM

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To: National Desk, Entertainment Reporter

Contact: Jim Key of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, 323-993-7623

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 21 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In response to attacks directed at Spongebob Squarepants by Focus on the Family and other conservative organizations, because of Spongebob's supposed sexual orientation, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Chief Executive Officer, Lorri L. Jean, issued the following statement today:

Gay/Straight Alliance of Cartoon Characters Welcomes Spongebob

"If Spongebob is gay, we want him to know he's not alone. The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's youth center and transitional living program can offer him support and a home if he's every kicked out of his pineapple under the sea or attacked because of his sexual orientation.

"The anti-gay rhetoric from supposedly 'pro-family' organizations has some serious consequences. It sends a dangerous message to parents that something is wrong with their gay or lesbian children and contributes to feelings of shame and humiliation among youth. All too often, the result is that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) youth are forced out by their parents or flee a home that feels unsafe. Many come to Los Angeles where there are thousands of GLBT young people living on the streets. The Center's 24-bed residence for homeless youth is unfortunately always full.

"We call on all organizations, especially those that purport to be pro-family, to end their attacks on youth; real or animated. We also invite Spongebob to join the Center's recently formed gay/straight alliance of cartoon characters that includes Bugs Bunny, Tinky Winky, Waylon Smithers and Batman and Robin."

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The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center provides a broad array of services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, welcoming nearly a quarter-million client visits from ethnically diverse youth and adults each year. Through its Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic and on-site pharmacy, the Center offers free and low-cost health, mental health, HIV/AIDS medical care and HIV/STD testing and prevention. The Center also offers legal, social, cultural, and educational services, with unique programs for seniors, families and youth, including a 24- bed transitional living program for homeless youth. Information about the Gay & Lesbian Center is available on the Web at http://www.laglc.org.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

[CoffeeCat]

1. Oh, that's just so perfect...

...that was sweet and humorous--while making some very good points about the absurdity of Dobson and his ridiculous statements.

Dobson should take a cue from Patrick the Starfish--and go live under a rock!

[Dark]

2. So now Spongebob's gay?

Dear god, please tell me that these people have just taken too much of their medication.

[paineinthearse]

3. See the MEDIA forum

There is a detailed thread running in the MEDIA forum.