PBS kids’ cartoon ‘Arthur’ features homosexual ‘wedding’

BOSTON, Massachusetts, May 14, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) ― A children’s cartoon series featured a homosexual “wedding” for its season premiere episode yesterday. 

“Arthur,” the longest-running animated series for children in the USA, began its twenty-second season with the surprise “marriage” of Arthur the Aardvark’s teacher Mr. Ratburn to another man. 

In the episode, Arthur and his classmates are intrigued to discover that their teacher is getting married and begin to investigate who his bride might be. When the children appear at the ceremony, they discover that Mr. Ratburn doesn’t have a bride. Instead, he walks down the aisle of the wedding tent on the arm of a male aardvark named Patrick. 

The adult aardvark winks knowingly at the viewer whereupon 8-year-old Arthur and his classmate exchange delighted smiles. 

A parent who watched the episode yesterday evening and contacted LifeSiteNews and contrasted the reactions to the cartoon characters to those of her children. 

“The [cartoon] children are a bit surprised but mostly nonchalant about the whole thing,” she wrote from Topeka, Kansas. “Needless to say, in the real world, our children were shocked and confused.” 

Other adults and teens, however, took to Twitter to expressed their glee over the new twist in Mr. Ratburn’s portrayal. 

“DID ARTHUR REALLY HAVE A GAY MARRIAGE AND I MISSED IT? THAT'S SO FREAKING COOL Y'ALL,” said former child star, now House of Representatives intern Joshua Rush, 17, on Twitter. 

Rush played “Cyrus Goodman” of the “Andi Mack” show, the first same-sex attracted main character on the Disney Channel. The character was 12 years old when he was introduced to the show. 

“Arthur,” which features anthropomorphized animals, is aimed at children aged four to eight. It is broadcast on PBS Kids, and its educational purpose is purportedly to interest children in reading. The show is based on the Arthur adventure books by Marc Brown. Mr. Ratburn was originally based on Brown’s own middle school algebra teacher.   

This is not Arthur’s first foray into the adult world of same-sex partnerships. According to Variety, an “Arthur” spin-off  show called “Postcards from Buster” featured a female same-sex couple in 2005. The then-Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings wrote a letter of protest to the tax-funded PBS, underscoring that the show was meant to prepare children for school.  

“We believe the “Sugartime!” episode does not come within these purposes or within the intent of Congress, and would undermine the overall objective of the Ready-To-Learn program — to produce programming that reaches as many children and families as possible,” Spelling wrote in 2005.  

“Many parents would not want their young children exposed to the life-styles portrayed in this episode. Congress’ and the Department’s purpose in funding this programming certainly was not to introduce this kind of subject matter to children, particularly through the powerful and intimate medium of television,” she continued. 

PBS dropped this episode, but it was aired by some of its affiliates. 

Today PBS Kids states on its website that its goal is to make “a positive impact on the lives of children through curriculum-based entertainment with positive role models and content designed to nurture a child’s total well-being.”

“PBS KIDS encourages children to interact as respectful citizens in a diverse society,” the channel continues. 

“By involving parents, teachers, caregivers and communities as learning partners, PBS KIDS helps to empower children for success in school and in life. PBS’ bottom line is measured by how much it contributes to the welfare of America’s children.”

The “Arthur” episode yesterday marks another victory by LGBT activists to insert homosexual “representation” into beloved children's shows. 

To respectfully make your views known to the creators of “Arthur”, please contact: 

Jonathan Abbott
President and CEO, WGBH
One Guest Street
Boston, MA 02135
E-mail: Arthur
Audience and Member Services Phone:  617-300-3300