COLUMBUS, Ohio – A widely-read children’s magazine that prides itself on its “wholesome” content has decided to feature two homosexual men in its pages for the first time.
Highlights for Children, often referred to as Highlights, is a popular children’s magazine that has been published monthly since 1946. Advertised as a “magazine of wholesome fun,” Highlights has long been known as a family-friendly publication.
In October, the magazine was criticized by “transgender” activist Kristina Wertz, who complained about “the lack [of] representation of LGBT families” in Highlights and its sister publication, Hello Magazine. Wertz, who has a one-year-old daughter, took to Facebook to express her frustration.
“We are consistently disappointed … in the complete lack of same-sex parents in Hello magazine,” Wertz wrote. “There is a deep need for books that positively reflect back the diversity of the world around us and I hope that Highlights embraces that diversity because we would love to keep it in our little one’s life as she grows.”
In response to Wertz’s complaint, the editors of Highlights promised to feature “same-sex families” in upcoming editions of the magazine.
“Our mission is to help children become their best selves, and you’re right, a big part of that is showing them that families are families no matter what they look like,” the editors said on a Facebook post. “It has always been a discussion of ‘how’ and ‘when’—not ‘if’—Highlights would feature a LGBTQ family in our magazines. We’re having many discussions internally and thinking deeply thanks to your messages.”
The magazine editors followed through with their promise by including in the February issue an image of two men loading their belongings into a station wagon.
“Has your family ever taken a memorable family trip?” the text below the image reads. “Tell us where you went and what you liked about it.”
The magazine’s editor in chief, Christine French Cully, said their editors knew the image would upset some subscribers, but they decided to publish it anyway.
“We did expect and received a backlash when we committed to becoming more fully reflective to all the different kinds of families out there. We expect this will make some people unhappy,” Cully said, according to the Washington Post.
A number of Christian writers and organizations expressed dismay at the Highlights editors’ decision to promote same-sex relationships within the pages of their magazine. On Thursday, the website One Million Moms criticized Highlights for caving to the demands of the left.
“Babies and preschoolers will soon be introduced to this sensitive topic in the Highlights line of magazines,” the group wrote in an article on their website. “Parents are seeing more examples of children being indoctrinated to same-sex families as normal, especially in the media. Children’s publications are no longer off limits, even those that cater to toddlers and elementary age children.”
“Many parents and grandparents buy subscriptions to these magazines as gifts, especially at this time of year,” One Million Moms pointed out. “They should be warned of the upcoming change of content in these kid’s magazines. This would be a deal breaker for conservative families. Parents are left with no other choice than to cancel their subscription. … [It] is not a magazine’s job to introduce so called ‘social issues’ to children. That is a parent’s role.”
A special message from the publisher…
Dear Reader, because of your generous support, we have received enough funds to send many audio Bibles to Iraqi and Syrian refugees displaced by ISIS in the Middle East. Many have been distributed and received with gladness. Now, as the cold winds of winter blow in, we are seeking to also meet the physical needs of the people by providing fuel-operated heaters for the refugees and their children to stay warm. Would you join us by making a donation today to this important work (James 2:16)? Please click here to send a heater to a refugee family >>
