Lesbian Play School family angers conservatives
When the ABC’s Play School contacted children’s author Vicki Harding last year with an idea for a short segment on a trip to Wonderland, she didn’t think it would end up national news.
But that’s what has happened, following a rerun on Monday. Back in October, Play School filmed a two-minute segment of Harding, partner Jackie Braw and daughter Brenna at Wonderland.
The segment, shown on the Through the Windows section of Play School, showed Brenna talking about her mums and the rides. Play School first screened the segment in March, without controversy.
Play School did the segment in response to a complaint from a couple of lesbian mothers, Harding, who has released children’s books about her family, told Sydney Star Observer.
The show angered Federal Children’s Minister Larry Anthony, who said it was reflecting the views of a minority, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
As a parent I am concerned that the ABC are putting on these types of programs, Mr Anthony said.
When it comes to my children, when I want to explain about same-sex couples, it should be up to parents, it should be up to me, not the Australian broadcaster.
The ABC’s Head of Children’s Television Claire Henderson released a statement saying Through The Windows provided an opportunity to show children the wider world, and aimed to reflect diversity in Australian families.
In the recent episode broadcast, there was a single verbal reference with the word, -˜mums’, and images of the group attending the amusement park. There was no emphasis or focus placed on any social issue. Any such constructions are adult constructions, the statement read.
