Polish officials to target ‘gay’ Teletubbies

POLAND'S conservative government took its drive to curb what it sees as homosexual propaganda to the small screen yesterday, taking aim at Tinky Winky and the other Teletubbies.

Ewa Sowinska, the government-appointed children rights watchdog, is concerned the popular children's show promoted homosexuality.

She said she would ask psychologists to advise if this was the case.

In comments that are reminiscent of criticism by the late US evangelist Jerry Falwell, she was quoted as saying: “I noticed (Tinky Winky) has a lady's purse, but I didn't realise he's a boy.”

“At first I thought the purse would be a burden for this Teletubby ... Later I learned that this may have a homosexual undertone.”

Poland's rightist government has upset human rights groups and drawn criticism within the European Union because of its apparent discrimination against homosexuals.

Polish Education Minister Roman Giertych has proposed laws sacking teachers who promote “homosexual lifestyle” and banning what he termed “homo-agitation” in schools.