Is Mr. Smithers a positive portrayal of being gay in animation?

E

ED Edwards

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One thing I love about Mr. Smithers, is he isn't flamboyant. Way too many times when shows have gay characters, Simpsons included, they make the characters way too flamboyant and often insulting to real-life gay people.

Now I realize Mr. Smithers was more subtle because back when the show first started, being gay on TV was more controversial than it is now, but whatever the case, its done well.

Mr. Smither's personality is likeable, and aside from a bizarre obsession with Mr. Burns, he is a positive portrayal of a gay man in animation. Good character design, good voice that fits the character, and he has his wits about him.
 
I really don't think that people should be looking to shows like The Simpsons for positive role models. Smithers may be basically good, but he always willingly goes along with Mr. Burns' plans, no matter how evil or ridiculous they may be.
 
It's hinted at alot but they never out right tell us he's gay. But there is evidence such as his obsession with Mr. Burns. Also jokes in pretty much every Simpson's episode that deals with gays in one way or another.
 
I don't think TC means that Smithers is a "positive portrayal" in the sense that he's a positive role model. I think he means that Mr. Smithers is gay without being used to make fun of gay people via the use of stereotypes.


Take, for instance, an african-american villain like Baxter Stockman in TMNT, or female villain like Demona in Gargoyles. Are they positive role models? No, they're villains. But neither of them have anything to do with the negative stereotypes associated with their respective race or gender, and thus they can be said to be positive portrayals in that sense.
 
OK, I see what you're saying. You're saying that Smithers isn't a gay character; rather, he's a character who just happens to be gay. The same way that Baxter Stockman is a evil, delusional mad genius who just happens to be black, rather than just being a black guy. That's a good point, actually.
 
Did they ever outright say he is gay? Not that I know of. However, they did beat us all over the heads with a sledgehammer that he's gay... for years.
 
yeah, i just didn't know if maybe there was an episode during the 2000's where he actually came out and admitted that he was gay. I'm sure I saw every episode during the 90's, but I probably only saw maybe half of the episodes during the previous decade.
 
Smithers has been confirmed as gay in several episodes. In one episode he daydreamed about Burns coming out naked in a birthday cake, in another episode he dreamed of Burns flying to him slowly in bed, and in yet another episode he kissed Burns when everyone is Springfield thought the world was going to end.

That being said, yes Smithers is a positive portrayal because by no means was his sexuality used as an extension of his character or personality.
 
His being gay is the sole joke about that character. I'm not really sure you could call it positive if all you're known for in the show is being a closet gay.

It's not negative either. But let's not get ahead of ourselves here.
 
As a homosexual myself, I think he has a more positive influence on our image than will and grace or even ellen, with her imo awkward dance routines. He's neat, clean, intelligent, and sometimes dare I say noble behind burn's back. I often felt that he was kind of portrayed as the only sane character on the show, like a normal guy in a three stooges sketch, kind of telling the audience that in simpsons land, only the gays are really straight.
 
He's not really evil, he's more of a buttkisser when it comes to Mr. Burns. He didn't want any part of blocking out the sun on Springfield, and Burns fired him, and then him going behind his back when it came to the Springfield election because he couldn't have his lifestyle with Sideshow Bob as mayor.
 
alot of people are saying that Waylon never said explicitly that he was gay.

you guys are forgetting the gay pride parade episode. the "in the closet" part

Waylon: We're gay, we're glad
Patty: But don't tell mom and dad
 
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