How Tinky Winky Became a Gay Icon and Sparked a Homophobic Panic
The Outing of Tinky Winky (2014)
When Teletubbies premiered in 1997, it was an instant hit and an instant controversy. But the strangest accusation was that Tinky Winky, the purple Teletubby, was gay. This article traces how a children's show character became a flashpoint for a decade-long homophobic panic, involving everyone from British tabloids to Jerry Falwell.
He is purple – the gay pride color; and his antenna is shaped like a triangle – the gay-pride symbol; he flaunts a red purse. As a Christian, I feel that [Tinky Winky's] role modelling of the gay lifestyle is damaging to the moral lives of children.