A short new children’s video gives us the story of a seven-year-old girl who tells her friend a fairy tale about how her two dads met. There’s much to love about this creative video blending live and stop action — not least that it adds to the very small number* of children’s videos featuring LGBTQ families. One aspect of it, however, gives me pause. Have a look and leave a comment about what you think.
In the video, the girl tells the story of a frog and a man who meet when the man drops his cell phone. The phone falls into the sewer, and the frog offers to get it for the man if the man will go to dinner with him — or give him a kiss. Hmm. My initial thought was that I’m not sure I like using kisses as currency, but I let it pass.
Later, however, after the frog has retrieved the phone, the girl narrates, “The frog used the phone to hypnotize the man and alter his brain with the phone’s electromagnetic waves so that he could steal one quick kiss on the lips.” That steers a little too close, in my mind, to getting someone drunk or drugged and taking advantage of them. Anyone else feel that way?
It turns out (spoiler alert!) that the frog was simply hoping to get his real human form back. But still, the scene seems to reinforce the idea that physical affection is something to be obtained by trickery.
The film was made by Tod Sod, a writer and actor who also works as the dramaturge for the education department at The Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City, along with artist and activist Blake McCarty. I really like much of the video. But surely the man could have kissed the frog of his own free will in thanks for getting his phone back, rather than having to be duped into it.
I don’t believe Sod and McCarty had any ill intent in writing what they did, and I think that by and large, they’ve written a delightful tale. I just wish they’d given a little more thought to the implication of kissing someone when the person kissed is in an altered mental state.
Other LGBTQ-inclusive videos for kids include Dottie’s Magic Pockets, BuddyG: My Two Moms and Me, and Family Restaurant.