Nickelodeon's Cartoon "The Loud House" Will Feature an Interracial Gay Couple

Impact

A cartoon is going where most live action television and films won't dare: featuring an interracial gay couple with a mixed-race child. 

Set to air on Wednesday, an episode of Nickelodeon's cartoon The Loud House will feature two dads dropping off their son for a sleepover. The show centers on 11-year-old Lincoln Loud, a brother with 10 sisters. When his best friend, Clyde McBride, stops by for a sleepover, his two dads drop him off. 

Just before Loud opens the door, he says, "This is it. Time to make history." The cartoon is referencing their sleepover, but offering viewers a coy wink at what's behind the door when Loud opens it. 

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Rather than being defined by their gayness, the characters are shown to be the ultimate helicopter parents. 

"And here's a photo of us, since we can't tuck you in tonight," one father, Howie, says, as he sobs and hugs McBride. 

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McBride's other dad, Harold, is mostly concerned that he steers clear of gluten, nuts and other health hazards.

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The chorus asking for more LGBTQ representation in cartoons has grown louder since May when fans of Disney's Frozen requested that lead character Elsa get a girlfriend. The internet also warmly received the trailer for Finding Dory, which indicated that the film would feature a lesbian couple.  

While their appearance is short, this representation goes further than anything viewers have seen before and stands as an important step forward for LGBTQ characters on TV. 

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