Winnie the Pooh banned in Poland over ‘dubious sexuality’
Children’s character Winnie the Pooh has been banned in a Polish town because of his lack of trousers and questionable sexuality.
The town of Tuszyn in central Poland had been due to name a local playground after AA Milne’s famous bear creation.
However, the move was scrapped – after councillors argued that the bear’s lack of trousers or genitals made him a “hermaphrodite” with a “dubious sexuality”.
According to the Croatian Times, Councillor Ryszard Cichy said: “The problem with that bear is it doesn’t have a complete wardrobe.
“It is half naked which is wholly inappropriate for children.”
Another councillor interjected: “It doesn’t wear underpants because it doesn’t have a sex. It’s a hermaphrodite.”
Councillor Hanna Jachimska then began to criticize author AA Milne.
She said: “This is very disturbing but can you imagine! The author was over 60 and cut [Pooh’s] testicles off with a razor blade because he had a problem with his identity.”
It was eventually decided that Polish bear Uszatek would be a less controversial choice, because he wears trousers.
Children’s rights watchdog Ewa Sowinska said: “I noticed [Tinky Winky] has a lady’s purse, but I didn’t realize he’s a boy.
“At first I thought the purse would be a burden for this Teletubby… Later I learned that this may have a homosexual undertone.”
