A Methodist church in Alabama is screening an episode of the PBS children’s show “Arthur” that has been shunned by Alabama Public Television for featuring a same-sex wedding.
AL.com reports the First United Methodist Church in Birmingham is hosting the free screening of “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone” on June 15 and plans to serve wedding cake and sparkling apple juice.
The episode aired nationally May 13, but APT showed a re-run instead. APT director of programming Mike Mckenzie defended the decision by saying parents trust that their children can watch the station without supervision.
APT offered a similar response in 2005 when it refused to air an episode of “Arthur” that featured another same-sex couple.
A local LGBT youth center screened the new episode last week.
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Information from: The Birmingham News, http://www.al.com/birminghamnews