Arthur Character Mr. Ratburn Comes Out Of Closet; Gets Married

American-Canadian Animated Series Arthur Is Making Decisive Step In Children’s Television.

• Arthur’s teacher Mr. Ratburn was gay and was getting married.
• Arthur’s friend questioned about who their teacher was getting married to.
• They also joked claiming that dancing is the only one thing their teacher should never ever do.
• PBS revealed that the moment was crucial in accurately reflecting the diverse communities.
• PBS pulled the episode after Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings disapproved of the program, but PBS affiliated that chose to broadcast it anyway.

On Monday, the children’s beloved animated series Arthur started off its season 22 with a bang when it announced that one of its longtime characters, Arthur’s teacher Mr. Ratburn was gay and was getting married.

In the premiere episode titled “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone,” Arthur and his friends attended their teacher’s wedding ceremony thinking that their teacher was married female rat Patty until they realized she’s actually his sister.

With full of shocked expression, Arthur’s friend questioned about who their teacher was getting married to. They turned around and found their teacher walking down the aisle next to another groom.

As the pair walks down the aisle with their arms interlocked and pa s ses Arthur and his friends, Mr. Ratburn’s new love winked at them. Arthur and Muffy looked at each other with big smiles on their face.

Later in an episode captured by a fan, Arthur and his friends discussed the wedding and their disbelief on their teacher getting married to which Francine tells the group Yep, it’s a brand new world” — perhaps a nod to the changing cultural times.

They also joked claiming that dancing is the only one thing their teacher should never ever do as the newlywed couple shows off their dance moves.

Just a couple of moments after its premiere, the internet erupted over the inclusion of a gay character and a storyline in a prominent children’s program.

In a statement, PBS revealed that the moment was crucial in an accurately reflecting the diverse communities that the children who have been watching the show are currently being raised in.

PBS pulled the episode after Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings disapproved of the program, but, however, PBS affiliated that chose to broadcast it anyway.

Arthur has been airing since October 10, 1996, and is currently the second longest-running animated series in the United States behind The Simpsons.