Tinky is a gentle soul who plays with his three tubbie pals. He also plays with his bright red purse.

Jerry Falwell denies having started the “accusations” that the fantasy character Tinky Winky is gay. So what.

What he undeniably endorses is the idea that the male, baby-like character is gay, and, therefore, must never be a role model. Falwall considers gay people to be evil.

“I believe that role-modeling the gay lifestyle is damaging to the moral lives of children,” says Falwell on his “Personal Website” when discussing the Tinky tubbie.

He offers no proof of any damage to children by gay people. There is none.

He claims that there is a “gay lifestyle.” There is no such thing. Rather than consider an individual’s morality, he simply demonizes all gay people.

The State of Hawaii, in Baehr v. Anderson, tried to deny same-sex couples the right to marry based, in part, on the false notion that gay men and lesbians were bad for children. All of the social scientists testifying in the court case — including the State’s own witnesses — made it clear that same-sex couples were just as well-equipped to be excellent parents as their straight counterparts. [See the Hawaii Court Finding granting the right to marry.]

Further, most social scientists state that 95 percent of the abuse of children is caused by heterosexuals.

But Falwell needs no science to peddle his hate mongering. His statements are unfounded and outrageous. They also seem silly because his concern is over a lovable, fictional character who dares to challenge sex-role stereotypes.

Even though his concern seems petty, his false and inflammatory rhetoric often leads to discrimination, and suffering, sometimes fatal. His toxic, anti-homosexual rhetoric pollutes the national discourse and gives license to hate crimes.

Besides being unscientific about gay people, he is also being immoral. He spreads lies about the value of an entire class of people. And just what are his motives? Does the “controversy” bring him national attention, volunteers, and, just maybe, a few donations? Or does he, in horror, see his own face on a boy tubbie who carries a purse?