Free Shipping on orders of $100+. US only.

Should Mr. Ratburn have had a more formal coming out?

By Alex Gonzalez
Published May 15, 2019

This past Monday, award-winning children’s television show “Arthur” celebrated the premiere of its 22nd season. In the season premiere, Arthur’s teacher Mr. Ratburn gets married, with Arthur and the rest of his students in attendance.

In the episode titled “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone,” Arthur and his classmates learn that Mr. Ratburn is getting married. He overhears a conversation with Mr. Ratburn and his sister, Patti, however, they assume Patti to be his fiancé. Patti tells Mr. Ratburn that she’s going to “toughen him up,” and the kids believe that this means he will become more strict, therefore, they try to find a way to stop the wedding.

The kids later learn that Patti is Mr. Ratburn’s sister and that Mr. Ratburn is actually marrying a male chocolatier named Patrick.

The episode ends with those in attendance of the wedding celebrating Mr. Ratburn’s marriage, however, there is no conversation in regard to his sexuality or romantic orientation.

In this day and age, same-sex unions have become normalized. In the final season of “Broad City,” Abbi, who had previously only dated men, begins dating a woman. While I previously praised the fact that “Broad City” didn’t make a huge ordeal over Abbi’s sexual revelation, perhaps it would’ve been more responsible had “Arthur” further explained the concept of sexual or romantic orientation.

“Arthur” has always highlighted hot-button issues, including poverty, disability and coping with post-traumatic stress, therefore, bringing same-sex marriage into the mix is no different. However, while “Arthur” may have normalized same-sex marriage between adults, it would’ve been better had they sent a message that would have validated queerness in children.

While “Arthur” is a children’s show and, of course, wouldn’t touch on sex, perhaps they should’ve had an episode where one of Arthur’s classmates develops a crush on someone of the same sex. Yes, the classmates are eight-year-old children, but that’s around the time many queer people first realize that they are queer.

Perhaps in the future, we’ll see an episode where one of the classmates realizes that they may be queer and seek Mr. Ratburn’s advice. In the meantime, watch “Mr. Ratburn & the Special Someone” here!

Latest News

Was this dress worthy of the Golden Boot?

Was this dress worthy of the Golden Boot?

“Shits gettin’ Gaggy!”  On this week’s episode of RuPaul’s All Stars Season 8, things went very berry crazy. In episode 3, there was the Supermarket Ball. Most of these looks were to die for, while some made me want to “peel” over. But first, some tea we started...

The Queens are here & the Claws are OUT!

The Queens are here & the Claws are OUT!

OKAY we have a lot to cover so sit down and buckle up.  These past two episodes of RuPauls All Stars Drag Race season 8 are starting off HOT, and the claws are out. So first, let’s cover how this season will be playing out. The winner on All Stars Season 8 will...

Have the Stars Aligned? Meet the Queens of RPDR All Stars Season 8

Have the Stars Aligned? Meet the Queens of RPDR All Stars Season 8

*Tongue pop* We are BACK BABY! And so are these queens on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 8! So first, let me start by saying if you haven’t watched Promo Day re-introducing this season's queens; you have to go back and watch it. It seems everything about these...

Man Candy: @maurocalvet

Man Candy: @maurocalvet

It may be cold outside, but huntyyyy, our temperature is risin'! Meet Maurocalvet - personal trainer, super hunk, and perhaps most importantly, one of OnlyFans muscle gods. See the good stuff here. https://www.instagram.com/p/CJoC_kVFCwy/...

INSTAHUNKS

0 Comments

Leave a Reply