Alabama Public Television Refuses To Air 'Arthur’ Episode With Gay Wedding

After the controversial anti-abortion bill, Alabama is at the centre of attention again. This time it is because Alabama Public Television (APT) has refused to air the latest episode of 'Arthur' -- a series based on the Arthur adventure books -- that features a gay wedding.

On Monday, the Public Television station chose not to run the latest season preimere of the popular cartoon because it featured a same-sex wedding. The episode titled “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone” aired nationwide on May 13. In it Arthur’s favourite teacher Mr. Ratburn gets married to his husband Mr. Patrick.

APT’s director of programming, Mike Mckenzie, told NBC News on Monday that the station re-ran previous episodes instead of broadcasting this episode. “Parents have trusted Alabama Public Television for more than 50 years to provide children’s programs that entertain, educate and inspire," McKenzie explained. "More importantly although we strongly encourage parents to watch television with their children and talk about what they have learned afterwards – parents trust that their children can watch APT without their supervision. We also know that children who are younger than the ‘target’ audience for Arthur also watch the program," reported NBC News.

Mckenzie said they have no plan of airing the episode in Alabama. He believes that parents do not think the episode is relevant for their children.

This is not the first time Alabama has objected to Arthur. In 2005 APT blocked an episode when Arthur’s bunny friend Buster Baxter has a playdate with a girl who has two mothers. APT reportedly felt airing that episode will make parents distrust their programming.

An Alabama parent and educator, Misty Souder said she was looking forward to watch the episode with her daughter. She told Al.com that she was sad to find out APT aired a re-run. "I just want her to be aware," Souder explained. "There’s too much going on not to stand up for stuff, even if it’s Arthur. I never thought I’d be going to battle for a gay rat wedding, but here we are."