COLUMBUS, Ohio – A widely-read children’s magazine that prides itself on its “wholesome” content has decided to feature two homosexual men in its pages for the first time.

Highlights for Children, often referred to as Highlights, is a popular children’s magazine that has been published monthly since 1946. Advertised as a “magazine of wholesome fun,” Highlights has long been known as a family-friendly publication.

In October, the magazine was criticized by “transgender” activist Kristina Wertz, who complained about “the lack [of] representation of LGBT families” in Highlights and its sister publication, Hello Magazine. Wertz, who has a one-year-old daughter, took to Facebook to express her frustration.

“We are consistently disappointed … in the complete lack of same-sex parents in Hello magazine,” Wertz wrote. “There is a deep need for books that positively reflect back the diversity of the world around us and I hope that Highlights embraces that diversity because we would love to keep it in our little one’s life as she grows.”

In response to Wertz’s complaint, the editors of Highlights promised to feature “same-sex families” in upcoming editions of the magazine.

“Our mission is to help children become their best selves, and you’re right, a big part of that is showing them that families are families no matter what they look like,” the editors said on a Facebook post. “It has always been a discussion of ‘how’ and ‘when’—not ‘if’—Highlights would feature a LGBTQ family in our magazines. We’re having many discussions internally and thinking deeply thanks to your messages.”

The magazine editors followed through with their promise by including in the February issue an image of two men loading their belongings into a station wagon.

“Has your family ever taken a memorable family trip?” the text below the image reads. “Tell us where you went and what you liked about it.”

The magazine’s editor in chief, Christine French Cully, said their editors knew the image would upset some subscribers, but they decided to publish it anyway.

“We did expect and received a backlash when we committed to becoming more fully reflective to all the different kinds of families out there. We expect this will make some people unhappy,” Cully said, according to the Washington Post.

A number of Christian writers and organizations expressed dismay at the Highlights editors’ decision to promote same-sex relationships within the pages of their magazine. On Thursday, the website One Million Moms criticized Highlights for caving to the demands of the left.

“Babies and preschoolers will soon be introduced to this sensitive topic in the Highlights line of magazines,” the group wrote in an article on their website. “Parents are seeing more examples of children being indoctrinated to same-sex families as normal, especially in the media. Children’s publications are no longer off limits, even those that cater to toddlers and elementary age children.”

“Many parents and grandparents buy subscriptions to these magazines as gifts, especially at this time of year,” One Million Moms pointed out. “They should be warned of the upcoming change of content in these kid’s magazines. This would be a deal breaker for conservative families. Parents are left with no other choice than to cancel their subscription. … [It] is not a magazine’s job to introduce so called ‘social issues’ to children. That is a parent’s role.”

Become a Christian News Network Supporter...

Dear Reader, has ChristianNews.net been of benefit and a blessing to you? For many years now, the Lord has seen fit to use this small news outlet as a strong influential resource in keeping Christians informed on current events from a Biblical worldview. With much compromise and many falsehoods in modern-day Christianity, we strive to bring you the news by keeping Christ and His word in focus. If you have benefited from our news coverage, please prayerfully consider becoming a Christian News supporter by clicking here to make a one-time or monthly donation to help keep the truth of God's word widely and freely published and distributed. May Christ continue to be exalted through this work!