With no explanation, label text_A→text_B with either "DON'T KNOW", "NO" or "YES".
text_A: The debate is referenced in "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular", when the episode host, Troy McClure is answering viewer questions, and one that is asked is "What is the real deal with Mr. Burns' assistant Smithers? You know what I'm talking about." A montage of various clips that shows Smithers' slavish respect for Mr. Burns follows, and in the end, McClure says "as you can see, the real deal with Waylon Smithers is that he's Mr. Burns' assistant. He's in his early forties, currently resides in Springfield, and has been unmarried since his wife Maude died in a tragic accident. Thanks for writing!"
text_B: Would someone who simply read the dialogue for this episode (and missed all of the clips and sight gags) think that The Simpsons took a progressive attitude toward same-sex relationships, even in the 1990s?
NO.