Arthur and his friends are initially under the impression that their teacher is marrying a bossy female rat. After a failed attempt to set Mr. Ratburn up with the librarian, the gang ends up attending their teacher’s wedding poorly disguised as adults. There, they realize Mr. Ratburn is marrying a chocolatier aardvark named Patrick.
The realization isn’t treated as a big deal.
"PBS Kids programs are designed to reflect the diversity of communities across the nation," the network said in a statement to People. "We believe it is important to represent the wide array of adults in the lives of children who look to PBS Kids every day."
Related: Alabama Public Television won't air 'Arthur' episode with gay wedding
Entertainment Weekly reported that this is not the first time "Arthur" has covered a notable real-world topic. Other episodes have tackled dyslexia, Asperger syndrome and cancer. Variety reported that a 2005 episode of the "Arthur" spin-off "Postcards from Buster" showed a lesbian couple. Although the show was was denounced by then-Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, and PBS pulled the episode, some stations still aired it.
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