Children❜s Cartoon Peppa Pig introduces First Lesbian Couple Following Calls For More LGBTQIA+ Representation

We know that representation matters, especially when it comes to shows that influence children. Peppa Pig is, without a doubt, one of the most popular and influential kid's shows around (the increasing number of 3-year-olds speaking with English accents can attest to that influence in action). 

That force de la Peppa is precisely why it's such big news.

Peppa Pig introduces first family with same-sex parents.  

An episode of Peppa Pig called Families aired on the UK Channel 5 on Tuesday and showed Penny the polar bear introducing her two mums.

In Families, Peppa's class is asked to draw pictures of their families and then tell the class what their parents do for a living.

 

 

When called on, Penny the polar bear says, "I'm Penny Polar Bear. I live with my mummy and my other mummy. One mummy is a doctor, and one mummy cooks spaghetti. I love spaghetti."

Their teacher, Madame Gazelle, responds: "Lovely, Penny."

This kind of representation is a fantastic way to teach children about inclusion and normalise the concept that there are many different types of families that make up our communities. 

The addition of the first lesbian couple to the Peppa Pig universe came about after a petition was launched in the UK asking the creators of the kid's show to add an LGBTQ family was signed by over 17,000 people. 

The creators of the petition explained that it was extremely important that same-sex families were normalised through the influential kid show, and the addition could bring about real change.  

"Children watching Peppa Pig are at an impressionable age, and excluding same-sex families will teach them that only families with either a single parent or two parents of different sexes are normal," explains petition creators Beth G and Lacey K.

"This means that children of same-sex parents may feel alienated by Peppa Pig and that other children may be more likely to bully them simply through ignorance. Peppa Pig is not just for entertainment. Children are inevitably learning from it too."

So far, the episode has only aired in the UK, though the program is shown across 180 countries. It is unclear which countries will air the cartoon at this stage as it's syndicated worldwide, but we're hoping it's all of them! 

More Big News

The Australian Premiere of Beauty and The Beast is Coming to Sydney
It's Back! Don’t Miss Out On Taronga Zoo’s $1 Birthday Entry Offer
A Brand-New LEGO® Certified Store is Coming to Penrith

 

Have you signed up to our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!