What was behind the Play School windows on Monday? Two lesbian mothers, actually, in a segment that yesterday incurred the wrath of federal Minister for Children Larry Anthony.

Mr Anthony said the producers of the ABC children's program had failed in their responsibility to parents.

When it comes to my children, when I want to explain about same-sex couples, it should be up to parents, it should be up to me, not the Australian broadcaster, the father of three said.

I think it's important for those program producers to ensure that they are not just responding to minorities.

Monday's episode followed a young girl as she attended a fair with her two mothers.

I'm Brenna. That's me in the blue. My mums are taking me and my friend Meryn to an amusement park, the girl said over images of her mothers waving.

The segment was decried by Australian Family Association spokesman Bill Muehlenberg, who accused the ABC of indulging in taxpayer-funded indoctrination.

Three and four-year-olds don't need to be the object of a political football game, particularly as we're debating same-sex marriage and adoption rights at this very moment, he said.

He said Play School, and other shows featuring homosexuals, could influence children's sexuality.

The ABC defended the fleeting reference to mums as a mere reflection of the world's diversity.

There was no emphasis or focus placed on any social issue. Any such constructions are adult constructions, ABC children's programmer Claire Henderson said. She noted that past segments had included families from a range of ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Educators and gay rights groups responded with incredulity to the criticisms.

Some people are obviously frightened of reality television, Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights co-convener David McCarthy said, rejecting any claim that children's sexuality could be changed by television.

Families Australia chief executive Anne-Marie Mioche agreed. You just have to look at the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures... (on) how families are formed to come to the conclusion that families in Australia are very diverse, she said.

A visit to the web site of the Australian Family Association is an enlightening experience. It appears that much of the purported facts these wingnuts trumpet repeatedly is total bollocks.

'Two mums' episode sparks rows—The Age, 4th June 2004.