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ALL THE MOMS
Public Broadcasting Service

'Arthur's Mr. Ratburn has a gay wedding on PBS' children's show

Sonja Haller
USA TODAY
The PBS show "Arthur" hosts a gay wedding in an episode called "Mr. Ratburn and The Special Someone."

The long-running show "Arthur" on PBS is mixing things up going into its 22nd season.

This week, the show hosted a wedding between beloved teacher Mr. Ratburn and Patrick, a chocolatier.

The episode is titled "Mr. Ratburn & the Special Someone."

The students overhear their teacher talking about flower arrangements during class, and are surprised to learn the flowers are for him – he's getting married.

In the episode, which aired May 13Jane Lynch voices Mr. Ratburn's bossy, uptight  sister, Patty, who threatens to turn their kindly teacher into someone the children don't like. Fearing Patty may be who Mr. Ratburn is marrying, they plot to break them up. 

All the children attend the wedding, and intend to object when the time comes because, as Arthur says, their teacher deserves "to be with someone who is nice, kind, fun to be with."

They eventually figure out that Patty is Mr. Ratburn's sister. 

"Then who is Mr. Ratburn marrying?" asks Arthur's friend Muffy.

The next shot is of Mr. Ratburn and Patrick strolling arm-in-arm down the aisle to cello music.

The word "gay" is never spoken. The kids eat cake and they laugh at the couple's dancing, which to be fair is pretty silly.

Twitter user @extraspicee reflected what a lot of supporters were saying, tweeting: "Mr. Ratburn is the gay icon I never knew I needed."

 

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