SpongeBob SquarePants

:This article concerns the show itself; for specific information regarding the show's title character and namesake, see SpongeBob SquarePants (character).

Controversy

Despite the show's popularity, SpongeBob has endured controversy, though this is not new for Nickelodeon; many of its cartoons, including Ren & Stimpy, Rocko's Modern Life, The Angry Beavers, Invader Zim and The Fairly OddParents, have sparked controversy in one way or another. SpongeBob's popularity has made its controversy more noticeable and larger scale.

Related Topics:
Ren & Stimpy - Rocko's Modern Life - The Angry Beavers - Invader Zim - The Fairly OddParents

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SpongeBob was relatively uncontroversial during the first two seasons and the beginning of the third season. SpongeBob and Patrick's close friendship in many episodes (including an episode where they hold hands) led some viewers to the conclusion that SpongeBob and Patrick were homosexual. In the 2002 episode "Rock-A-Bye-Bivalve", SpongeBob and Patrick adopt a baby scallop, furthering the rumor because of its implications that the two make major life decisions together as a monogamous couple would. Spongebob sometimes wears cosmetics and dresses in women's clothing, often cited as evidence of his homosexuality. Independent of assumptions, the cartoon's acceptance and optimism have made it popular within parts of the real-life gay community.

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More recently, SpongeBob was featured in the pro-tolerance "We Are Family" commercial. The video has sparked controversy because some conservative Christian groups believe that the We Are Family Foundation was using it to promote the normalization of homosexuality in American schools. A spokesman for the foundation suggests that anyone who thought the video promoted homosexuality "needs to visit their doctor and get their medication increased."http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4190699.stm. Many fans have also pointed to the fact that many more characters besides SpongeBob were featured in the commercial, and SpongeBob's appearance is only a few seconds long. It has been incorrectly reported that James Dobson, a leading figure among many conservative Christians, believes SpongeBob is homosexual or promotes a homosexual lifestyle.http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=892, http://patterico.com/2005/02/10/2647/la-times-issues-spongebob-correction/.

Related Topics:
Tolerance - Conservative Christian - We Are Family Foundation - James Dobson

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