The show drew praise from LGBTQ advocates who applauded the inclusion. “The ‘Family Day’ episode of Sesame Street sends the simple and important message that families come in all forms and that love and acceptance are always the most important ingredients in a family,” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis tweeted.
“Sesame Street” is embracing diversity.
Earlier this year, two Black characters were introduced who discussed racial differences, and now the show has welcomed two gay dads. The same-sex couple, Dave and his husband Frank, made their appearance during Thursday’s episode, “Family Day,” during which they took their daughter, Mia, to Sesame Street for the Family Day celebration.
Although they did not discuss the nature of their relationship in depth, Frank did vaguely touch upon the subject while speaking to other families during the episode.
“Yeah, there’s all kinds of different families,” he said, according to Fox 29. “But what makes us a family is that we love each other.”
The new characters’ appearances come during Pride Month, which Alan Muraoka, who plays “Alan” on the show, acknowledged on Facebook.
“Sesame Street has always been a welcoming place of diversity and inclusion. So I’m so excited to introduce Nina’s Brother Dave, his husband Frank, and their daughter Mia to our sunny street. Our Family Day episode drops today on HBOMax and on YouTube,” he wrote. “I am so honored and humbled to have co-directed this important and milestone episode. Love is love, and we are so happy to add this special family to our Sesame family. Happy Pride to all!!!!”
