New York Times under fire for ‘homophobic’ cartoon of Trump and Putin

A viral cartoon depicting US president, Donald Trump and Russian president, Vladimir Putin as gay lovers has been condemned as “homophobic.” 

The minute-long episode of Trump Bites - a series of animated 'satirical video cartoons' shared by NYT Opinion - envisions the president as a teenager with a crush on the Russian leader, imagining their 'forbidden romance come to life.'

It shows a almost half-naked Trump and Putin going on a date together, riding on a unicorn before sharing an intense French kiss and nipple twist. Over the visuals, is real audio of Trump praising Putin over the years. 

In this episode of Trump Bites, Donald Trump’s not-so-secret admiration for Vladimir Putin plays out in a teenager’s bedroom, where the fantasies of this forbidden romance come to life. https://t.co/cWeQMuzWUz pic.twitter.com/4shBRkloot

— NYT Opinion (@nytopinion) July 16, 2018

The Times has since been slammed on social media for using homosexuality as both an insult to the leaders, and as the butt of the joke.

This isn't just intensely stupid it's homophobic as all hell, Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Sims, who is gay, tweeted.

What on Earth makes you think that equating the love that millions of people across the planet feel for one another to the unconscionably criminal relationship between these two is OK?!? Truly, please explain.

Comedian and The Game Show host added a sarcastic message, tweeting:

You've done it guys. You've saved democracy by saying Trump and Putin are gay for each other. The first 1000 times didn't work, but your version was the final nail. You have humiliated them out of destroying democracy by saying they are like gay people. The union is safe.

Activists said the satirical animation in the New York Times implied homosexual relationships were shameful or laughable, echoing homophobic bullies and adding to pressure on young people struggling with their gender or sexuality.

The New York Times said the video, which has been viewed more than 1.3 million times on Twitter alone, was “not meant to be homophobic”.

Activists however expressed fears over its impact on young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, who research shows are at higher risk of depression and suicide.

According to The Trevor Project, young lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are more than four times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers, while nearly half of all transgender people have attempted suicide.

A study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released in June found that a third of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are bullied at school.