LAist: GLAAD Doesn't Consider Smithers Gay

re44

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:56:02 -0800

Well, maybe the reason is that Smithers is bisexual. In season one, "Homer's Night Out", he was shown on a date with a woman. He seemed to be flirting with Marge in both "Marge Gets a Job" and "The Mysterious Voyage of Our Homer", had scheduled a date with John in "Homer's Phobia", and was married to a woman before ("Secrets of a Successful Marriage"). Yes, he is evidently in love with Burns, but I don't see how we could claim that he is strictly homosexual. In the new seasons, Smithers' bisexuality has seemed to have changed into complete homosexuality, as his character is now unfortunately solely utilized to regurgitate gay jokes. However, there is plenty of evidence in the classic seasons of Smithers being bisexual.

tony

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 19:55:08 -0800

Bunny, point well taken! Aimee, nerds are always welcome here!

Aimee G

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 11:16:14 -0800

I think the best proof of Smithers' homosexuality is in "Three Gays of the Condo," (Season 14, Episode 17) where Homer and Marge have a fight and he moves into "West Springfield" with two gay roommates. here is the scene: (Homer is walking around oblivious to the fact that the whole neighborhood is gay when Smithers comes up to him in rainbow shorts and on rollerblades.) Homer: "Oh, Mr. Smithers!" Smithers: (Nervously) "Oh, uh, hello Homer. I, uh, was passing through on my way to the big car convention, understand? I've never been here before." (A bus full of gay men comes by) Guys on Bus: "Hey, Waylon!" "Who's the bear, he is fine!" "Is he that Mr. Burns you're always talking about?" (Smithers runs away) Also, when he turns on his computer, he has it set up to have a naked Mr. Burns say, "hello-SMITHERS-you're-quite-GOOD-at-TURNING-me-ON." Now, while Smithers is not "out" at the office, it is pretty obvious that he is "out" in the "community," and while you may never hear him say "I am gay," he is quite obviously without a doubt a gay man who is afraid to fully come out. And while, if he were a real person, it would be considered slander or libel to "out" him in the press, because he is a television character and we have been given an omniscient view of his life, he SHOULD be added to the list. End nerd rant.

Bunny

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 10:50:20 -0800

GLAAD isn't in the business of outing people so why would they include Smithers? He isn't open about his homosexuality no matter how many times he tries to shag the object of his affection. GLAAD is all about positive roll models and queer visibility and Smithers is all about queer invisibility, sequestering his affection as much as possible and denying the true nature of his orientation.

Taylor

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 17:16:41 -0800

I think what is completely hilarious about your analyzation of GLAAD's article, is that simple mannerisms are not indicative of someone's sexuality. Knowing this we can easily see why GLAAD chooses to exclude Smithers from their assessment. After all, a "gay-acting" cartoon character that is routinely poked fun at for his so-called homosexual tendencies doesn't exactly demonstrate an act of tolerance, "colorful pie charts" aside.

Mr Skin

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 16:12:32 -0800

That is obsurd! Smither's is so gay! Even I had sex with him!