Note to SpongeBob: It happened to Tinky, too

We’d now like to bring some historical perspective to recent allegations that SpongeBob is gay (see item below). There’s another children’s character that blazed the trail before him, and that would be the tragically misunderstood Tinky Winky of the Teletubbies.

Fans of the show—and perplexed parents everywhere—may remember that in 1999 Jerry Falwell tried to “out” the by-all-appearances asexual, purple, uh, being because of its color, the fact it carried a red purse and also had a triangle atop its head. (Although this link claims Tinky Winky is male.)

So carry on SpongeBob. Tinky is with you!

—Posted by Catharine P. Taylor

January 21, 2005 | Permalink