D'oh! Simpsons Under Fire for Gay Crack

Tue., Nov. 4, 2008 1:23 PM PST by Josh Grossberg

Fast forward to 15:45 mark for controversial exchange.

If one gay-rights group has its way, Nelson Muntz will be writing "I will not be homophobic" on Miss Krabappel's schoolhouse chalkboard.

Bart Simpson's cartoon nemesis is being blasted for his use of the schoolyard taunt "that's so gay" while bullying resident nerd Milhouse Van Houten in The Simpsons' annual Halloween episode airing last Sunday.

But the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network says the remark is nothing to laugh at.

"Many people say 'gay' without even realizing what they're saying is bad,'" GLSEN spokesman Daryl Presgraves tells E! News.

"It's hard enough as it is to be a gay youth. But when you add on top of that people referring to who you are in a negative way, it's that much more difficult to feel safe and accepted."

The group recently joined forces with the Ad Council to produce a series of spots featuring Hilary Duff and Wanda Sykes seeking to stop people from using "gay" as a generic taunt.

"We're trying to educate people that this is a term that is hurtful to young people when used in a negative way. We want people to understand when it's inappropiate to use," Presgraves adds. "This is not exclusive to just young people, but is hurtful to all generations."

He urges Nelson to visit ThinkB4YouSpeak.com to send an electronic mea culpa to Milhouse.

No word from The Simpsons team on when—or if—Nelson will get on that.