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<\/source><\/picture>A popular cartoon introduced a new “non-binary” character on one of its spinoff shows, making it one of several programs to push LGBT storylines in TV series aimed at children.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A writer on the children\u2019s TV series \u201cRubble & Crew,\u201d a spinoff of the children’s cartoon series \u201cPaw Patrol,\u201d took to Instagram<\/a> on Sept. 2 to announce that a newly aired episode of the Nickelodeon program featured a non-binary character. The term non-binary refers to those who do not identify as either male or female.<\/p>\n Lindz Amer expressed gratitude for the opportunity to write an episode of \u201cRubble & Crew,\u201d noting that \u201cthey brought me on to consult on the first nonbinary character\u201d and \u201cwrite their episode.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Amer<\/a>, who uses \u201cthey\/them\u201d pronouns and identifies as \u201cthe queer Mr. Rogers,\u201d described the experience as \u201ca bucket list item.\u201d \u201cI wanted to write a nonbinary character that was aspirationally cool, someone for the pups (and kids at home to look up to). They found an awesome non-binary to voice River and I\u2019m so so happy about how it turned out.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to documenting how the non-binary character River wears socks that have the same colors as the transgender pride flag, the Instagram post includes a screenshot of the opening titles for the episode in question, titled \u201cThe Crew Builds an Observatory.\u201d The Internet Movie Database<\/a> indicates that the plotline of the episode, which aired on Aug. 22, features the main characters working to \u201cbuild an observatory to help their friend River get a cool picture of a shooting star.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cRubble & Crew,\u201d which has a rating of TV-Y<\/a> that signals to parents that it is safe for young children to watch, is not the first example of a children\u2019s show introducing a non-binary character. Earlier this year, during the month of June recognized by LGBT activists as LGBT pride month, the Cartoon Network children\u2019s program \u201cWe Baby Bears\u201d featured two characters <\/a>with \u201cthey\/them\u201d pronouns. The non-binary characters in the relevant episode included an anthropomorphic box and a talking bird.\u00a0<\/p>\n Additionally, non-binary characters made an appearance in a late 2020 internet post<\/a> highlighting four comic strips created as a collaboration between Cartoon Network and the National Black Justice Coalition. The comic strips at the center of the post featured several characters highlighting their preferred pronouns as they introduced themselves to each other, with some of the characters electing to use \u201cthey\/them\u201d pronouns.\u00a0<\/p>\n The presence of a non-binary character in \u201cRubble & Crew\u201d comes slightly more than a year after the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) CEO Sara Kate Ellis <\/a>expressed a desire to see more LGBT storylines in children\u2019s programming. Specifically, Ellis signaled her intention to \u201cconvene the biggest brands, agencies, studios and streamers together\u201d for the purpose of \u201cimproving the quantity, quality and diversity of LGBTQ images, especially in kids and family programming.\u201d<\/p>\n Even before GLAAD pushed for an increase in LGBT characters and topics in children\u2019s programming, entertainment designed for young children had already begun making overtures to the LGBT community. In 2021, the long-running Nickelodeon show \u201cRugrats<\/a>\u201d rebooted on Paramount Plus featured a lesbian single mom. That same year, Disney Plus announced that a reboot<\/a> of the children\u2019s show \u201cThe Proud Family\u201d would include a storyline about two parents in a same-sex relationship.\u00a0<\/p>\n While the effort to incorporate LGBT characters in children\u2019s programming constitutes a relatively new development, advocacy groups have sought an increase in the number of LGBT characters in TV shows in general for several years now. In 2019, GLAAD called for 20%<\/a> of all television characters to be LGBT by the year 2025.<\/p>\n Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST<\/strong> newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nFree<\/span> Religious Freedom Updates<\/h2>\n