TheQuartering [5/8/2023]
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has defended his decision to defund the state’s PBS station over claims the taxpayer-funded outlet has been indoctrinating and over-sexualizing young children with its LGBTQ content.
The Republican doubled down on Monday after he vetoed a bill late last month that would have continued funding for the statewide PBS station, Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA), through 2026.
“OETA, to us, is an outdated system. You know, the big, big question is why are we spending taxpayer dollars to prop up or compete with the private sector and run television stations?” he told Fox News.
“And then when you go through all of the programming that’s happening and the indoctrination and over-sexualization of our children, it’s just really problematic, and it doesn’t line up with Oklahoma values.”
The station broadcasts popular children’s shows, including “Sesame Street” and “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” which have started incorporating LGBTQ themes — like gay characters — in recent years.
Stitt’s office also argued that OETA has aired questionable content, including a “Let’s Learn” segment that features a drag queen called Lil Miss Hot Mess reading a book titled “The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish.”
In addition to his claims of indoctrination, the governor also argued the programs weren’t educational.