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WARSAW (AFP) - Poland's child rights ombudsman said on Monday she was investigating whether "The Teletubbies," the British television show for infants, promotes homosexuality.
"It would be good for a group of psychologists to talk to children about this. We need to examine this. If inappropriate attitudes have been promoted, we need to react," said Ewa Sowinska.
In an interview with the weekly news magazine Wprost, Sowinska said the character Tinky Winky was in the spotlight.
The plump purple creature is considered male due to his relative height, but carries a handbag.
"I have heard that this could be a hidden homosexual insinuation," said Sowinska.
Poland's deputy speaker of parliament Ludwik Dorn, a conservative Catholic, reprimanded Sowinska, telling her to avoid public statements that could make the ombudsman's office look "ridiculous," said Dorn's spokesman Witold Lisicki.
Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po -- the four chubby luminous-coloured furry figures with aerials on their heads and television sets in their bellies -- appeared on BBC television for the first time in 1997.
"The Teletubbies" have since been screened in 120 countries and translated into 45 languages.
When the show was first broadcast in the United States, the late Christian campaigner Jerry Falwell also took exception to Tinky Winky's accessory.
Tinky Winky was "modelling the gay lifestyle", Falwell charged in 1999, unintentionally sparking a rush for Teletubbie merchandise on America's gay scene.
They should get Mariusz on the case, he'll get to the bottom of any gayness if it happening.
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