'Ellen' episode is time to take a stand

Robbin Hardegree

Guest Columnist

I have heard and read about the upcoming episode of "Ellen," in which the lead character will declare she is gay, and I have been thinking about the role of television in our society over the past 40 years.

It has greatly altered who we are as a nation. New ideas have been expressed in the media and presented in a compelling way. Ideas which might not have gotten off the ground otherwise have been presented in just the right emotional setting with endorsements by famous people to give them enough impetus to catch on.

Just such an attempt is going to be made with "Ellen." A funny and popular television personality is going to use her charisma to attach people's warm feelings toward her and her humor to her homosexuality.

People who have come to see her as someone they enjoy watching and have developed an emotional attachment to are going to see that she is a lesbian, "but isn't she funny? Isn't she someone you want to be with? Why, homosexuality must not be all that bad. They are just like us."

Is that any way to decide whether an issue like homosexuality is right or wrong?

And on top of actress Ellen DeGeneres' drawing power, ABC is giving her an entire hour to portray her heroic decision. Isn't that like giving it their stamp of approval? Doesn't that have an effect on the views of the people watching?

And there's more. Special appearances will be made by many well-known and well-liked personalities.

This is beginning to sound more like a Jerry Lewis Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy. What is going on here? Are they trying to win over converts? Yes, they are.

But what is the furor about? It is not about choices or preferences. It is about right and wrong. Should special interest groups like the gay movement have the right to promote their immoral agenda to our children and neighbors?

What if they were suggesting that we should accept child molestation? That "this is just another lifestyle. They are people, too. They can't help the way they are"?

We would have no trouble seeing through that argument. And we would by no means allow them to come on the air with a warm and funny television program to speak their views. We would not think simply changing the channel to be an appropriate way to handle the situation. That would not be enough.

There comes a point when a society has to put its foot down and say, "This is wrong, and we won't allow this here." Suggesting that we turn our head and look the other way because we are "uncomfortable" with homosexuality is not the answer, nor does that acknowledge how serious a problem this is.

Homosexuality is not just another lifestyle or way of seeing things. It is a terrible and degrading sin that has been washed up and presented with a pretty face by many in the media.

If KTXS chooses to allow this show to air in Abilene, it will be exposing vulnerable people to an immoral idea. Some may change their minds and decide to accept it, or even to embrace it.

KTXS has a responsibility to the people in this community. Please write to the station manager and ask her not to air this program. Once it is done there is no taking it back. ABC will perceive that nothing serious came of it. And they will decide to allow more of these questionable programs to air, show commercials that cater to such ideas and no telling what all may show up on our TVs.

Let them know that we care what happens to our children and our neighbors and we are willing to take a stand for what is right.

Robbin Hardegree is an Abilene homemaker who has lived here for more than 40 years.