So on Tuesday February 18, Huffington Post ran a story with the headline "Disney's 'Frozen' Slammed By Mormon Grandmother For 'Gay Agenda To Normalize Homosexuality.'" With a title like that how could I not read the piece? After reading the piece and some of the blog quotes, I was confused. So I decided I should read the original blog post by Kathryn Skaggs. I was completely blown away by what I read.
Now, I wasn't blown away with how accurate Mrs. Skaggs interpreted the movie Frozen and it's hidden "Gay Agenda." No, I was blown away by how a Mormon grandmother could read so much, in my opinion bigotry, in a child's film. In typical fashion, she started by saying:
Let me be very clear about one thing, I am not anti-gay nor am I here to judge homosexuals not worthy of their rightful and respectful place among society. However, I draw the line at the idea of redefining traditional marriage to include homosexual relationships, as equal. Meaning, that as a Christian, I believe that acting on same-sex attraction is contrary to God's will, and therefore SSM should not be legalized. Because I hold this value and voice it freely, does not mean that I am trying to force it on anyone -- anymore than those who feel opposite and advocate for their position intend to force SSM on me, personally -- both have the right [to freely advocate an oppositional position] and should not be demonized, regardless of where society takes us, as a whole.
This today seems to be all the rage for individuals to state when they are saying why they are against Equality. After this she goes onto explain how Disney and the creators of Frozen have introduced the "Gay Agenda" into the movie.
For those have not seen the movie, it is about two sisters, Elsa and Anna, both princesses. Elsa, however, has been blessed/cursed depends on your point of view of having the power of controlling ice and snow, which makes her different than others and something her parents tell her she must hide. So, of course, Mrs. Skaggs views this power as same-sex attraction. I'll give her this to degree because it is not the first time powers have been used to represent homosexuality (see Bryan Singer's X2: X-Men United). However, I do not feel most people who saw the movie picked up on this connection. I'm gay and I didn't.
After this, Mrs. Skaggs goes onto analyze almost every major plot point in the movie and connect it to what she feels the "gay agenda" is. Some of the highlights Mrs. Skaggs saw in this movie are:
- Demonetization of homosexuals by society
She makes a few more points, but to me those are the real highlights. Now let me say I don't disagree with any of the points she makes. Everything she sees in the movie is true, but I do not feel anyone would walk away from this movie feeling that was the message at all. I'm gay and I walked away from this movie thinking how amazing it was and that it was one of Disney's best in a very long time. I'm sure children walked away just feeling it was fun and wanting a talking snowman like Olaf.
What confuses me is why a Mormon grandmother would see those messages in this movie. Could it be her guilt is getting the best of her, or she fears one of her many grandchildren may be gay? Now this is all speculation. I do not know if any of this is true; however, just like Mrs. Skaggs, I can draw these conclusions based on what I am seeing.
If the movie taught any messages it was women do not need men to rescue them, family is important, love is blind, and always be true to yourself. If you ask me, those are some powerful messages and if some closeted individual walked away with the confidence to come out to the family and friends great.
Another message the movie showed was running away from a problem does not fix it -- only dealing with it can do that. Right now everyone that is against homosexuality is doing just that. They have a problem with it because they don't understand it and their solution is to run away from it and they expect everyone else to do the same. That doesn't fix anything, but makes the problem bigger than it really is. Love is simple and should not be so complicated.
So, Mrs. Skaggs, in some ways I guess I should thank you. I loved Frozen before, but if I look at it through your eyes I love it even more. Equality and acceptance will be achieved by the younger generation. If movies like Frozen teaches this generation that everyone deserves to marry who they love no matter of gender and that judging some one based on who they are is wrong then we need more movies like Frozen. It is obvious from your blog Frozen taught you this message, you just are not willing to accept it just yet. So like Elsa from Frozen you are running from it till some one, maybe a grandchild, teaches you to just "Let It Go".
The post originally appeared on The Diary of a Drag Queen's Husband.