For years, the right-wing Christian group One Million Moms (OMM) has been hurling condemnations and launching campaigns to boycott commercials, TV shows, and movies.
They targeted Toy Story 4 and the live-action Beauty and the Beast for having LGBTQ+ background characters and for allegedly pushing an LGBTQ+ agenda.
The conservative organization that GLAAD identified as really "one meddling mom" has now found a new target to boycott.
OMM set their sites on Marvel's new movie Thor: Love & Thunder–for allegedly having “blatant LGBTQ content.”
\u201c"Conservative advocacy group One Million Moms posted a new petition generally opposing Love and Thunder\u2019s 'blatant LGBTQ content'" https://t.co/2mc6PbYany\u201d— Them (@Them) 1657832891
OMM's online petition reads in part:
“One Million Moms needs your help to make sure as many people as possible are aware that Marvel Studios is pushing the LGBTQ agenda on families in their newest superhero movie.”
“Rated PG-13, 'Thor: Love and Thunder' includes many LGBTQ innuendos and an abundance of euphemisms, but a few scenes are not downplayed at all.”
The new Thor sequel made headlines last month when its co-star Natalie Portman described Love & Thunder as being "so gay" during a Q&A session at the movie's premiere in London.
\u201csomeone asked natalie portman how gay the new thor movie is and this was her response: \n\n#ThorLoveandThunder\u201d— Zac\u26a1\ufe0f (@Zac\u26a1\ufe0f) 1657060210
After facing backlash from critics and fans, her proclamation was backed by the film's director, Taika Waititi, who said–despite OMM's complaint about the film–the "gay" content was only implied with innuendos instead of having blatantly gay, out LGBTQ+ characters.
Love & Thunder previously generated buzz from LGBTQ+ fans who saw the trailer and eagerly speculated Thor (Chris Hemsworth) was secretly infatuated with Guardians of the Galaxy's Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), a.k.a. Peter Quill–who came out as bisexual in the Marvel comics.
But the movie didn't explore anything beyond a wistful glance in the comical scene.
Regardless, OMM remained obstinate in its position and listed what they interpreted as "blatant LGBTQ content" in the film they found to be inappropriate for family audiences.
“The alien character named Korg mentions having two dads, and he has hand sex with another member of his species."
"The bisexual goddess, King Valkyrie, kisses another woman’s hand to show interest."
"An Asgardian kid insists on going by a gender-neutral name."
"And the gay romantic tension between Thor and Star-Lord is apparent but played off as a gag.”
\u201c@mygaychurchdays @Tim_McNulty @lgbtqnation More reason to watch.\u201d— My Gay Church Days (@My Gay Church Days) 1657826520
\u201c@mygaychurchdays @ChristnNitemare @lgbtqnation Well the mustache on that one rock guy was pretty blatant.\u201d— My Gay Church Days (@My Gay Church Days) 1657826520
\u201c@hemantmehta I've seen this movie and the implication is that Korg's species doesn't have separate sexes; reproduction is done by holding hands over lava for a month.\nReally, you'd think the right-wing's issue would be Omnipotent City, full of gods -- but where Jesus is nowhere to be seen.\u201d— Hemant Mehta (@Hemant Mehta) 1657753859
\u201c@hemantmehta This Norse God story isn't Christian enough.\u201d— Hemant Mehta (@Hemant Mehta) 1657753859
The petition calling for the boycott of Love & Thunder concluded with:
"Marvel has decided to be politically correct instead of providing family-friendly programming."
"But Marvel should stick to entertaining, not pushing an agenda."
The organization added:
"As moms, we all want to know that Marvel is attempting to desensitize our family by normalizing the LGBTQ lifestyle."
\u201c@hemantmehta Not that I needed more motivation to see it, but I may have to buy a couple extra tickets now.\u201d— Hemant Mehta (@Hemant Mehta) 1657753859
OMM is part of the fundamentalist Evangelical Christian American Family Association (AFA), whose mission involves “combating the homosexual agenda" by publicizing pro-LGBTQ+ companies and organizing boycotts against them.
AFA has been designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group.
\u201c@hemantmehta @FabianNicieza No truer hate in America than Christian love.\u201d— Hemant Mehta (@Hemant Mehta) 1657753859
\u201c@hemantmehta Christian Values - a fantastic example of oxymoron.\u201d— Hemant Mehta (@Hemant Mehta) 1657753859
GLAAD contributor Jeremy Hooper identified OMM as really one mom–a woman named Monica Cole.
He wrote in a December 2019 article:
"In the decade that I have been aware of One Million Moms, she is quite literally the only staff member I have ever heard anyone name."
"She is the one and only person who appears on their petitions, as well as the one and only person who speaks for them to the media. She is the mom."
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