Homer-sexuality: Study finds the Simpsons has encouraged gay men to 'come out' with its sympathetic attitude to same sex couples

Academic Erwin In het Panhuis has analysed nearly 500 Simpsons scenes

He said that The Simpsons treats 'homosexuality as something normal'

The cartoon was the first to dedicate an entire episode to gay marriage



A study has found that hit cartoon The Simpsons encourages gay men to ‘come out’ because of its sympathetic attitude towards homosexuality.

German academic Erwin In het Panhuis says the popularity of characters such as hapless hero Homer Simpson and series' approach to homosexuality on prime time television has pioneered positive attitudes toward same sex couples.

The Cologne-based librarian has spent years analysing nearly 500 gay scenes from the cartoon series which he says dispels discrimination against homosexuality.

Breaking down barriers: The Simpsons, which was the first cartoon series to dedicate an entire episode to gay marriage (pictured), is pioneering positive attitudes towards homosexuality according to a new study

In his book, Behind the Gay Jokes - Homosexuality in 'The Simpsons,' Mr Panhuis said: ‘[The Simpsons] treats homosexuality as something normal in a media environment which can usually be very hostile to the point of view.'

Mr Panhuis also suggests that Homer is a deeper, more complex character than meets the eye.



He said: ‘Homer has kissed other men on the lips more than 50 times throughout the series but despite that he's happily married to his wife.

'Unrequited love': Academic Erwin In het Panhuis wrote an entire chapter on Mr Burns and his assistant Smithers (pictured)

‘He is sometimes heterosexual, sometimes gay and sometimes homophobic.'

The cartoon series has dealt with homosexuality on numerous occasions and was the first cartoon series to dedicate an entire episode to the topic of gay marriage.



In the 2005 episode, the town of Springfield legalises gay marriage in a bid to ramp up tourism and Homer - seeing it as an opportunity to make some extra money - performs several gay marriages. Even his sister-in-law Patty Bouvier turns up to marry her girlfriend.

In the episode a song is played which includes the lyrics: ‘When my man and I shopped for our wedding gowns, we were mocked and shunned and pushed around, but yesterday we found a place to be gay, I’m going to marry my Harry in Springfield Town.'

Other gay references have included Lisa forcing her family to march in a gay parade, Homer chanting 'we're here, we're queer' and Homer being kissed by his gay roommate.



The academic studied 70 gay characters portrayed in the long-running series including Skinflint factory owner Mr Burns' relationship with his assistant Smithers, which he wrote an entire chapter on in his book.

Mr Panhuis explained: ‘It is a very complicated relationship full of fear and unrequited love and moments of real tenderness.’

According to The Local , he said: ‘It [The Simpsons] set the standard for cartoon series … and I believe it’ll always be a trailblazer.’



Pioneering attitudes: The Cologne-based librarian has spent years analysing nearly 500 scenes and studying 70 gay characters portrayed in the long-running series on prime time television and said it was dispelling discrimination against homosexuality







