Beloved Australian cartoon ‘Bluey’ introduces a queer family
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The Australian children’s program Bluey has become the latest target of conservative backlash, following a brief acknowledgment of queer children and families.
In the season three finale, which debuted on April 14, the plot revolves around Bluey, the titular character, adjusting to her family’s relocation amidst a wedding. An instance of LGBTQ+ inclusion unfolds when Bluey’s friend Pretzel, a chihuahua, shares a story about his pet guinea pig’s disappearance and mentions having two mothers, according to ‘Them’.
Image Credit: Canva
“It didn't come back, even though my mums said it might,” Pretzel shares.
Though the moment is fleeting, it embodies a meaningful recognition of the diversity in family structures in a natural and understated manner. Given past critiques of the highly popular series for its perceived lack of diversity, this subtle introduction of Pretzel's family dynamic is a hopeful sign of more inclusive representation ahead. Following the episode, numerous adult fans of the show took to the internet to celebrate this addition. On IMDb, the episode titled “The Sign” has garnered a 9.9 out of 10 rating from nearly 1,000 users.
Fans on social media have expressed their joy, with comments like, “This is what I’ve been waiting for ” and “As a gay chihuahua mum that makes me happy 🏳️🌈.”
However, this minor mention of a cartoon character's two mothers prompted critical responses from right-wing commentators. Culture reporter Megan Basham from The Daily Wire criticised the inclusion on X, stating, “I’ll be honest, sometimes the glee LGBTQ activists take at seeing the destruction of something that was once wholesome...is really demoralizing.”
Despite such reactions, Bluey is part of a growing trend of children's shows that weave in queer and trans characters seamlessly. Fans of Arthur will recall Mr. Ratburn’s gay wedding in 2019, signaling a move towards greater representation. Additionally, in recent years, shows like Peppa Pig introduced a lesbian polar bear couple, Disney’s Baymax included a brief appearance of a trans character, and the Paw Patrol spin-off Rubble & Crew featured a nonbinary character.
These moments of representation, though subtle, are significant in a climate where LGBTQ+ individuals face increasing vilification. For many, the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters in shows like Bluey serves as a small yet powerful counter to such narratives, welcoming all the more lesbian chihuahua references and similar portrayals.
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