June 20, 1997

The Southern Baptists, with a 15+ million member following, sent 15,000 delegates to its annual convention this week in Dallas. They voted and decided to make good on threats to boycott Disney theme parks and merchandise in protest of what church leaders call the company's "anti-Christian and anti-family trend."

The concerns with Disney, producers of recent hits such as The Lion King, Toy Story and 101 Dalmatians, stem from the opinion that sex and violence are escalating in Disney films and opposition to Disney's "attitude toward homosexuality." Church officials cite examples of the latter including the Ellen "coming out" episode that aired on ABC, which is owned by Disney; the annual "Gay Day" at Disney, though not officially recognized by Disney; and the extension of healthcare and other benefits to same-sex partners of employees.

What isn't often acknowledged by the group is that The Disney Co. is only one of hundreds of major U.S. companies offering domestic partnership benefits including other entertainment providers such as Discovery Channel, E! Entertainment Television, Fox Television, Home Box Office, Lucas Films, MCA/UA, Paramount Pictures, PBS, Showtime, Time Warner and Warner Brothers.

And stations besides ABC have openly gay television characters. Will the Southern Baptists also boycott NBC (E.R., Friends, Mad About You, Frasier), FOX (Melrose Place, Party of Five, The Simpsons), CBS (Cybill, Chicago Hope, Nash Bridges), HBO, Showtime and The WB? It'll be interesting to see where and why the line gets drawn.

Dave Sheldon is a biology teacher at Valencia community college. He is an environmental activist who hails from Minnesota. Gin is his preferred alcoholic beverage. Other Articles I've Written