(2/10/99)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- First President Clinton and now Tinky Winky. America's sex cops are on the job, and not even the Teletubbies are safe.
The largest of the four amorphous characters on the British-made children's television show has been ``outed'' by the Rev. Jerry Falwell.
Against the backdrop of cries of ``sexual McCarthyism'' over the exposure and pursuit of Clinton, members of Congress and others for inappropriate amorous exploits, Falwell decided to expose Tinky Winky in the current issue of his monthly magazine ``National Liberty Journal.''
``The character, whose voice is obviously that of a boy, has been found carrying a red purse in many episodes and has become a favorite character among gay groups worldwide,'' it said.
Further evidence cited included the fact that the androgynous Tinky Winky is purple -- the gay pride color, and the antenna on his head is shaped like a triangle -- the gay pride symbol.
``These subtle depictions are no doubt intentional, and parents are warned to be alert to these elements of the series,'' the magazine said.
Falwell did not address the sexual proclivities of La La, Po and Dipsy who are equally shapeless yellow, red and green characters with squiggly antennae and television screens in their tummies.
They live in a kind of high-tech igloo with a bug-eyed vacuum cleaner, surrounded by grass, rabbits and flowers. At the end of each show, a periscope rises from the ground and summons them to ``Teletubby bye-bye.''
The show premiered in England in 1997 and came to the United States last year where it has been a hit for PBS. Teletubbies interactive dolls are set to go on the market next month.
Falwell's magazine said Tinky Winky's sexuality had been the subject of debate for some time, pointing to the annual ``What's In and What's Out'' list in the Washington Post.
The magazine said that this year, Tinky Winky's photograph appeared opposite that of actress Ellen DeGeneres, implying that DeGeneres, star of the television sit-com ``Ellen,'' was ``out'' as the chief national gay symbol, while Tinky Winky was the trendy ``in'' celebrity.
Falwell also criticized Po, whose antennae is in the shape of a hole, for being a ``dirty slut.''