How The CW Will Force Me To Have The LGBT Talk With My Children

Written by Creator Marcus McBaller on Creators.co

Ok, deep breath...Just breathe, I can do this, I can do this. I don't have to do this, but I can do this. That is what I will be telling myself just before having the conversation of human sexuality and gender orientation with my 11 and 9 year old son. That's a tender age to have that talk at, right? I mean, I don't live in California where elementary schools have transgender bathrooms. I can shelter them from the real world for just a few more years, can't I? Apparently, I can not. Thanks CW, thanks a lot! But that's ok, I'm not mad you. Thank you for giving me that push.

Let me start from the beginning. My family and I (wife and two sons) are comic movie/TV lovers. We've seen every MCU movie at least three times or more and absolutely love the CW roster of shows. Flash, Arrow and Legends have literally brought us together around the TV. My DVR is always set to record and we always stay current. It's great because we get at least an hour of time together three days a week. Of course we get other time together, the kids play sports, mom is an active volunteer in the boys' school etc. But this is different. This is something that we all share in. It is forbidden that one of us watch with out the others. This is OUR THING, ya know? Good, wholesome, family friendly television. Then the CW went and changed the game on me.

It started with Nyssa and Sarah on Arrow. They became lovers for a short time and it kind of gave my wife and I an awkward moment. We balked at explaining it to our sons because it didn't seem like a big deal to them. Then Captain Singh on Flash was getting married to his boyfriend. Again, the boys had no reaction to that. Well, a slight one. But it was quelled with a simple "some guys like guys son, it's not a big deal". Then Legends brings it full bore with Sarah kissing the nurse in 1950. And one of my favorite new Arrow characters, Curtis Holt is openly gay and lives with his boyfriend. So this week, it was kind of on display a bit. It was something that couldn't be ignored. They are seeing it in all three of their favorite shows. Now, let me be clear. The issue for me is not one of right and wrong in regards to sexual orientation and partnership. I want my children to be loving, caring individuals..PERIOD. No matter what a person looks like or what their lifestyle is. The issue is, I just wasn't ready for them to grow up yet, and the CW helped me see that if I don't tell them, then the world will.

I applaud the CW for the way it portrays diversity on its network. They do so in a respectful way. This goes beyond the LGBT topic, it also includes race and gender. My family is interracial. My wife is white, I'm black, the kids are mixed. So what? That's common. So its good to see a love triangle with Iris West, Barry Allen and Eddie Thawn. I thought it was very nice the way they addressed the issues of race and gender inequality on Legends when they time hopped to 1950. They've brought the real world into our world without being "in your face" about it. I kind of think of it like this. You know how when you sneak into somewhere and you're not supposed to be there? The key to getting away with it is to act like you're supposed to be there. Don't make a big deal of it, I belong here. The CW has snuck major topics into my life and guess what, they belong there.