Once the current storyline draws to its end in October, Johnston will resort to doing something that is polarizing her fans all over the world. She will revert to the beginning of the family saga, rehashing previously published strips and on occasion drawing new material. Some newspapers are comparing this controversial move by Johnston to the time she introduced a gay character to the storyline in 1993. The bittersweet storyline of Lawrence, a gay teen, dealt with the young character's coming out, his confusion over being a walking target of ignorance and prejudice, and ultimately – after some heartbreaking scenes which made readers almost forget this was supposed to be a feel-good comic strip - his family's acceptance.
The story of Lawrence's coming out caused an uproar. Many newspapers pulled the comic strip, large number of fans decried the storyline, and incredibly enough, Johnston was the recipient of numerous death threats. I remember the controversy vividly and this prompted a blast to the past, digging through mom’s boxes to find an article I had written on Johnston's bold decision to tell the touching story of Lawrence.
In 1993, I was a 16 year old high school student, having recently moved to Ontario from Montreal. As mentioned in an earlier post, I was part of a small group of teenagers selected from different schools in our area to take part in a youth editorial team at the local newspaper. This teen forum would meet weekly for the duration of the school year and write about issues impacting youth in our community and the world. When the controversy over Lawrence began stirring, I felt such indignation that without hesitation I tackled the story. Here's what I came up with:
Cartoonist deserves praise
Romina Oliverio
Thursday, April 22, 1993
Kitchener-Waterloo Record
Homosexuality. A single word that conjures up prejudice and acceptance at the same time. To this day it’s a subject treated with discretion. Voices are lowered when it comes up in conversation and some otherwise open minds go shut, as if just the thought of someone being different is sinful and out of this world.
Enter cartoonist Lynn Johnston, author of the For Better or For Worse comic strip that appears in newspapers across North America. Adding a new twist to her humorous look at everyday life, Johnston has introduced, very courageously, a homosexual character to the strip, a teenage boy.
Apparently, however, some find it obscene and harmful. They think homosexuality should not be dealt with in the comics section. Johnston’s cartoon has been dropped by several U.S. newspapers. But how can they act in such a hypocritical manner? How can they look the other way and shut their ears to avoid the truth? I applaud Johnston’s decision to deal with such a controversial topic in a comical way. The doubts and questions of homosexuality are presented realistically in the cartoon as friends and family struggle to accept and understand one’s different taste when it comes to falling in love.
Perhaps some people are worried their children will be pressured into becoming homosexuals, that they will be influenced by the comic strip in the wrong way.
To that I reply that if it’s influence parents are concerned with, they should take a long look at society and all the other ways their children are influenced. A tasteful depiction of homosexuality in a cartoon cannot compare to the explicit violence, crime and sex that children are exposed to daily in movies, on television, and on the streets.
This comic strip will not damage children in any way. It’s the oppression of it that will do the harm later in life.
I cannot put myself in the shoes of someone who has chosen to love the same sex, but I sympathize with them. They are constantly criticized and alienated. For them, the comic strip represents another step towards a society free of prejudices.
Johnston has decided to express herself honestly, as we all should. We should not despise the gay character. We should try to understand him, and those who choose homosexuality as a lifestyle. Censorship is not the answer.
0 comments:
Post a Comment