A recent episode of a Nickelodeon cartoon show featured the station’s first animated interracial gay couple.
In the episode of “Loud House,” the show’s main character, Lincoln Loud, invites his African American friend Clyde McBride over to a sleep over. Clyde’s same-sex parents Harold, played by Wayne Brady, and Howard, played by Michael McDonald, share a comedic scene while dropping their son off at the slumber party.
“There are different types of families that watch TV, and it would also be good to educate the general public about gay couples and their value as well,” Jim Williams, the co-publisher of the LGBT newspaper Baltimore OUTLoud, told the AFRO.
Although the LGBT and African American communities are often underrepresented in entertainment, today’s families are becoming more diverse. According to a study by the Movement Advancement Project, African American and Hispanic same-sex couples are more likely to adopt and raise children than White same-sex couples. The study also found that bi-national LGBT and same-sex couples are raising a total of about 17,000 children.
Other children’s shows have featured same-sex families. An episode of Disney’s “Good Luck Charlie” showcased a lesbian couple and their child. Interracial same-sex couples have also been shown on teen dramas and young adult television as well.
FOX’s “Glee” followed the relationship of characters Brittany Pierce, a White woman, and Latina Santana Lopez; the two were married in the sixth season. ABC’s “The Fosters” also stars interracial same sex partners Stef and Lena Adams Foster, who raise a family of biological, adopted and foster kids of varying ethnicities. In 2014, the show was awarded a GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Award for its diversity and portrayal of LGBT characters.
Although it only began airing in May of this year, “Loud House” has already replaced “SpongeBob Square Pants” as Nickelodeon’s highest-rated program, with an average Nielsen rating of 4.9 for viewers between ages 2-11. The animated show details the experiences of Lincoln Loud growing up in a house with 10 sisters. The show was created and directed by executive producer Chris Savino. Savino has also written and produced animated shows including “The Power Puff Girls” and “Dexter’s Laboratory.”
The trailer for the episode was leaked earlier this week on Twitter. In the clip, just before Lincoln opens the door to greet Clyde’s family, he says a line that speaks to the show’s diversity.
“This is it. Time to make history,” Lincoln says with a smile. “Hi, Mr. McBride. Hi, Mr. McBride.”