quote:

ORIGINAL: sunshinemiss

Well, PA... let's be real... First, the show was shown 1974-1982. The Stonewall Riots were in 1969. I mean really...The APA removed homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973.

The books were written in the 30s and 40s and set at the turn of the century (?)... and they are CHILDREN'S books...

You might be having some unrealistic expectations... Just saying.

quote:

ORIGINAL: chiaThePet


Unconfirmed rumor has it that a gay character had been written into the script
in the early days. It has been reported that little known female impersonator
Miss Understood was to portray transvestite Hay Waggins in a story line
which found the marriage of Charles and Caroline Ingalls in upheaval after
a steamy encounter between Hay and Charles during a barn scene, where
more than the roof was raised. The fallout would eventually drive Laura into
the waiting arms of Nellie, which would lead to the first openly presented
Lesbian BDSM relationship wherein a stunning Sunday School branding of
Laura would change Walnut Grove forever.

Unfortunately, during early filming, a tragic set accident where the foundation
of the little house shifted and slid on top of Miss Understood, trapping and
killing her instantly. A quick script change eliminating the character of Hay
Waggins found the production in chaos as the seamstress Union's request
that the show be aptly renamed, "Little House on the Fairy" went ignored.
Subliminal sequined messages began appearing in costumes and saddles,
calling for re-shoot after re-shoot. The impasse was finally settled when it
was agreed that a tribute (forced) of the untimely death of the character
Hay, would be written into a remake of the Wizard of Oz calling for the
Witch of the West to be now referred to as The Bad Witch of the Waggins,
immortalizing Miss Understood's infamous daily trailer tantrums.

And that Dear Friends, is the rest of the story.

chia* (the pet)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hejira92

They are hiding out, drinking in the back of Olsen's store with the black, asian and jewish characters.

quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

^ I thought the Jewish theme in it was sloppily written. 

There was a black lady in it- Ester Sue.   She worked at the blind school- then in the diner.   I dont recall any asians.

Early on-  an episode showed them bantering with an American Indian who spoke French.  I know the show is a feel good show.... so the reflection of all there is to know about the pioneer days falls short.

quote:

ORIGINAL: sunshinemiss

quote:

ORIGINAL: hejira92

They are hiding out, drinking in the back of Olsen's store with the black, asian and jewish characters.

Now hang on a minute. There was a very powerful Jewish storyline on that show.

Nellie married a Jewish man. They were debating about whether to raise the children Jewish or Christian. They decided if it was one gender it would be Jewish, and if the baby was the other gender, they would raise it Christian. She had twins - a boy and a girl.

That story line really was wonderful. I remember Charles said something like, "G*d didn't want to have to decide, so the children need to be both." I was just a little ray back then and had never met a Jewish person in my life. I had no idea about anything Jewish, and here was this story that made an impression on me - hey Jewish people are just like Christians! They both follow G*d.

http://littlehouse.wikia.com/wiki/Percival_Dalton