One of Bart’s mischievous schemes ignites a gas pipe in the Simpsons’ basement—leading to a nine hundred dollar gas bill. Strapped for cash, Marge reluctantly suggests the family sell Grama’s Civil War doll. The Simpsons bring the doll to a collectibles store called Cockamamie’s. The store is operated by a gay man named John, an expert in all things kitsch. John tells a crestfallen Marge her figurine is, in fact, a liquor bottle from the 1970s and isn’t highly valued. But when John explains the meaning of the word “camp,” and the potential value of all things kitsch, Homer, suspecting he might be sitting on a gold mine, invites him over to the house to inspect the family’s possessions. The family strikes up a friendship with the good-natured, fun-loving John. Homer tells Marge they should invite his wife over for drinks. When Marge reminds her dense husband that John is a “refined, well-groomed, slim single man who owns a breadmaker,” Homer finally realizes John is gay.

An immense wave of homophobia consumes Homer, and he refuses to be seen in John’s company. His irrationality extends to his own family, and soon after, he imagines a distinct change in Bart’s behavior—and his preference for all things “gay.” Homer tells John to stay away from his family, then takes Bart to some “manly places” hoping to set his son “straight.” Instead, Homer inadvertently drives Bart to a steel mill operated by homosexuals.

At his wits’ end, Homer turns to his friends at Moe’s tavern. Barney believes that if Bart shoots and kills a deer, it will make him a man. Moe, Barney and Homer drive Bart into a remote wooded area. When the men fail to encounter any deer, Moe drives the group to Santa’s Village. There the men break into the reindeer pen. Homer thrusts a rifle into Bart’s hands and instructs him to shoot. Bart refuses. Without warning, the reindeer charge Homer, and Moe and Barney scatter for cover. The charging stags continue to pummel Homer mercilessly. Suddenly, John’s campy Japanese Santa Robot enters the pen and fires rubber missiles. The reindeer retreat in fear. In a gesture of gratitude—and tolerance—Homer puts his arm around John, thanking him.