Arts & Entertainment
‘Arthur’ character Mr. Ratburn comes out as gay and gets married
The teacher surprises his students at his wedding
“Arthur” revealed that one of its lead characters is gay in the season 22 premiere episode.
Arthur’s teacher Mr. Ratburn is getting married in the episode titled “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone.” Arthur and his friends Buster, Muffy and Francine assume that Mr. Ratburn is getting married to a woman named Patty (Jane Lynch) after they run into the pair talking to each other.
The gang is upset because they don’t like Patty and decide to crash the wedding. They learn that Mr. Ratburn isn’t marrying Patty but is marrying an aardvark named Patrick who owns the local chocolate shop. The big plot twist is that Patty is Patrick’s sister.
People commented on the cartoon’s inclusivity on social media with reactions ranging from praise to surprise that “Arthur” is, in fact, still airing after 22 seasons.
MR RATBURN IS GAY HELLO !! HE GOT MARRIED !! pic.twitter.com/T1Emc97Y0f
— EIGHTH WONDER (@WOLFNOlR) May 13, 2019
It turns out Arthur is more courageous and explicit than Avengers: Endgame when it comes to LGBTQ2 lives and storylines. Congrats Mr. Ratburn! Your move, Marvel…. https://t.co/eq99SerHaC
— Rachel Giese (@rachelagiese) May 13, 2019
I found out that Mr. Ratburn's getting married to a bloke on Arthur and I say hey (hey) what a wonderful kind of gay.
— Gavin Herman (@MrHissara) May 13, 2019
imagine telling me in 1998 that “Mr. Ratburn” would be a worldwide trend on twitter dot com
— Husky Dave Grohl (@saulmalone) May 13, 2019
1) Shoutout to Mr. Ratburn!
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) May 13, 2019
2) Arthur has been on TV forever. Season 22?? https://t.co/27W8Xo1NhA
The “Arthur” universe has included LGBTQ representation in the past. In the 2005 spin-off series, “Postcards from Buster,” a lesbian couple is seen in the episode “Sugartime!”
Watch “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone” here.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
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