WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, is partnering with GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, to support 2021 Pride Month in June with the launch of its first Teletubbies fashion collection for adult fans. Proceeds from sales of the collection will benefit GLAAD to support its culture-changing work to accelerate acceptance for the LGBTQ community.
The Teletubbies Pride Collection features ’90s-inspired streetwear and is centered on two themes: “Big Hugs, Big Love” and “Teletubbies Love Pride.” The fashion collection will feature custom graphic treatments, prints and cues from the Teletubbies, such as their signature colors and antennae shapes. The range includes a bucket hat, sling bag, muscle tee and tube socks, as well as a limited quantity of bespoke, made-to-order two-piece suits.
“The Teletubbies have always embraced their own offbeat quirkiness and sense of style,” said Michael Riley, Chief Brands Officer at WildBrain. “This Pride Month, we’re celebrating that ‘love who you are’ spirit through our collection of ready-to-rave fashion that makes Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po very proud. We’ve taken the most iconic elements fans know and love about the Teletubbies and designed a playful Collection with fashion flair that we hope fans will love to wear this Pride Month and all year-long.”
The Teletubbies, a hugely popular kids show the debuted in England and then crossed the pond to the US and Canada, generated a storm of controversy beginning in 1999 when conservative, anti-gay evangelist preacher Jerry Falwell said Tinky Winky was homosexual, largely because Tinky Winky carried a purse.
At the time the show’s American distributor, Itsy Bitsy Entertainment, held a press conference in New York to declare that the Teletubbies’ rolling hills were a G-rated safe space. “It is the sweetest, most innocent place a child can go,” a spokesman told the assembled reporters. “There is simply nothing sexual in our show.”
Since that time, attitudes have evolved, and both viewers and broadcasters have accepted the concept that just because a particular character might be gay or lesbian does not mean the content is sexualized. As well, despite the Falwell controversy (or perhaps because of it) the Teletubbies became a positive symbol of acceptance and tolerance within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
As a result, the LGBTQ+ rights group GLAAD is working with Wildbrain on the Teletubby collection to promote inclusiveness during Pride Month.
“This Pride Month, the iconic Teletubbies brand is celebrating the importance of self-expression and acceptance in a unique and uplifting way, while giving back to create change,” said John McCourt, Senior Director at GLAAD. “Proceeds from this collection will support GLAAD’s culture-changing programs, including our work to expand LGBTQ images and inclusion in kids’ and family programming.”
The Teletubbies Pride Collection is now available at www.teletubbiespride.com or via @TeletubbiesHQ on Instagram and Twitter with prices starting at $10.99 USD.