Arts & Entertainment
Republican congressman wants to defund PBS over ‘Arthur’ gay wedding
The controversial episode featured a cartoon rat’s nuptials
Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) is seeking to defund PBS following the network’s decision to air an episode of the children’s cartoon “Arthur” which featured a same-sex wedding.
The episode featured Arthur’s teacher Mr. Ratburn marrying Patrick, an aardvark and local chocolate shop owner.
The same-sex wedding caused plenty of controversy and was even banned from airing on Alabama Public Television. Now, Lamborn is calling to defund PBS for airing the gay wedding.
In a column for the right-wing publication The Daily Signal, Lamborn says “PBS writers deemed it appropriate to preach their liberal views on same-sex marriage to America’s young children.”
“Taxpayers now know with complete certainty that the goal of the PBS cartoon is to impart social liberalism to children,” he continued.“Enough is enough. It is time to stop sending our hard-earned tax money to support programming that is objectionable to many Americans. That’s why I’m reintroducing a bill to cut off all federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds PBS.”
Lamborn claims public media programming is” becoming more antagonistic toward conservative and religious viewpoints.”
“Parents and churches should be the ones discussing marriage and family with their children—not PBS. To target children in this way is a complete affront to religious Americans,” he writes.
Despite the backlash, “Arthur” creator Marc Brown stands by the episode.
“I’m really proud of that episode,” Brown told People. “And I will defend it to anybody who wants to talk about it.”
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.
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