Vitagliano, the editor of the Mississippi-based American Family Association’s Journal, has written in a detailed article, which claims that makers of “SpongeBob Squarepants” are promoting homosexuality.
The editor said that the animated film involves a rendition of the 1979 hit song “We Are Family,” which promotes homosexuality.
Nile Rodgers, a veteran musician who co-wrote the song and produced the video said that he is shocked that some conservatives see his efforts as an effort to encourage homosexuality. He says that the video does not makes any reference to homosexuality or any sexual orientation anywhere. "The only response is, Wow,” said Rodgers, who has started We Are Family Foundation. He has planned to give away 60,000 copies of the video after it is aired next month on several television networks.
Vitagliano however disagrees to Rodgers, saying that, "on the surface, the project may appear to be a worthwhile attempt to foster greater understanding of cultural differences. However, a short step beneath the surface reveals that one of the differences being celebrated is homosexuality."
He said that the We Are Family website has a "tolerance pledge" that says: "To help keep diversity a wellspring of strength and make America a better place for all, I pledge to have respect for people whose abilities, beliefs, culture, race, sexual identity or other characteristics are different from my own." The Ed feels that the reference to “sexual identity” is making a reference to homosexuality.
When Rodgers asked for views from some of the officials at the foundation, none of them felt that the phrase should be removed from the website.
The controversy got hotter when James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, commented on SpongeBob Square Pants as a "pro-homosexual video" during the inauguration dinner in Washington.
Disturbed by such senseless comments by his critics, Rodgers said that he fails to understand motivation of his critics. “Nothing could be more devastating to the people who believe in me and our organization than to imply there's an insidious undercurrent to it."
