Disney's 'Andi Mack' Banned in Kenya Over Gay Storyline; Franklin Graham, Conservatives Sound Alarm
The Disney Channel's "Andi Mack" has been banned in Kenya over its introduction of an LGBT storyline.
Ezekial Mutua, chief executive of Kenya Film Classification Board's, said that the predominantly Christian country opposes "any attempt to introduce gay programming," according to Deadline.
Mutua argued that "homosexuality goes against the collective and values of the people of Kenya," and also insisted that children must be taught that family is a union between people of the opposite gender.
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The first ever gay storyline on the Disney Channel concerns a 13-year-old character on "Andi Mack" who realizes he is gay and comes out to his friends.
The company insisted in a statement that show creator Terri Minsky and his crew take "great care" in ensuring that the program is "appropriate for all audiences and sends a powerful message about inclusion and respect for humanity."
Evangelist Franklin Graham has called on parents to block the Disney channel.
"Disney used to be the brand that parents could trust. They were kind of like the 'gold seal' of family programming. But those days are long gone," he said in a Facebook post on Saturday. "Disney is in the LGBTQ camp, and they're wanting to use so-called family-friendly programs to influence the youth of today to accept and to be a part of the destructive LGBT lifestyle.
"They're introducing a gay storyline in one of their most popular programs, 'Andi Mack,' targeting 6-14 year-olds. Parents BEWARE. You can control this in your home. You might want to consider blocking their channel.
"Let Disney know why you are upset, but also take action that will get your message across."
The TV series and the "self-discovery" episode in question received high ratings, with the Season 2 opener up 72 percent from the series launch.
Deadline reported that the episode was the series' "No. 2 telecast to date in total viewers with 2.1 million, kids 6-14 (1.1 million/3.1) and Adults 18-49 (502,000/0.4), in Live + 3. It also ranked as the No. 1 TV telecast in the timeslot across youth demos (Kids 6-11 and Kids 6-14) and was the No. 1 cable TV telecast in total viewers."
Over 12,000 people have, meanwhile, signed a petition launched by the conservative One Million Moms against "Andi Mack," with the group warning that such content is not suitable for a children's network.
The same group also slammed Disney XD's "Star vs. the Forces of Evil" earlier this year for airing the first gay kiss in its programming.
"The Disney Channel is deliberately choosing to 'move forward' and promote adult content to children. By choosing to move in the direction of more 'adult' stories and content, the Disney Channel — and the entire Disney media empire — may be choosing to sacrifice something far more precious ... children's innocence," One Million Moms stated.
