The television and movie industries are becoming more and more accepting of people of the LGBT community, and many transgender and gender-fluid characters are now being portrayed both on the small and big screens in a positive light. However, the Christian watchdog group One Million Moms (1MM) is one of the few challenging this trend.
This time around, 1MM is calling for the boycott of the rebooted ABC show "Roseanne," which will feature a "gender creative" 9-year-old kid named Mark, who is one of the children of on-screen couple Darlene (Sarah Gilbert) and David (Johnny Galecki).
"The casting notice obtained by Fox News describes the character as 'sensitive' and 'effeminate.' Mark 'displays qualities of both male and female young child traits,' according to the casting call," the group wrote on its website.
What makes 1MM so upset is that the age of Roseanne's grandchildren may attract young viewers, who they say will be victimized by "this outrageous program" filled with "sexualization and moral corruption." The group also said that children should never be introduced to these "mental disorders" and "controversial storylines."
"Placing gender fluid and non-binary characters in mainstream television shows are the next step in normalizing a culture that dissociates a person's biological gender from their 'gender identity,'" the group said. "ABC is glorifying gender dysphoria, also known as gender identity disorder, and using a child to promote this mental disorder."
So far, over 8,000 people have signed their petition to boycott the show.
Earlier, the group fumed about the animated show "The Loud House" from Nickelodeon, which featured a same-sex couple. The two dads appeared briefly when they dropped off their son, Clyde, at the residence of the lead character Lincoln Loud for a slumber party.
"Nickelodeon is attempting to normalize same-gender marriage while desensitizing young viewers," the group said. "Families tuning in to watch a children's network may encounter a premature discussion on sexual orientation and be encouraged to use inappropriate language. Both are completely unnecessary. Nickelodeon and its sponsors should avoid controversial topics."
