In a heartwarming moment that feels like a long time coming, Peppa Pig has introduced its first same-sex parent family, and honestly, it’s an incredible step forward for all of us. In an episode called Families, back in September 2022. Penny Polar Bear stole the show—and our hearts—when she introduced her two mums to the world.
Here are the episode’s details: Penny, a sweet little polar bear with a love for spaghetti, is drawing pictures of her family during playgroup. She proudly explains, “I live with my mummy and my other mummy. One mummy is a doctor and one mummy cooks spaghetti. I love spaghetti.” Simple, wholesome, and completely adorable, right? Cue the collective aww.
For a show that’s been around for over 18 years with more than 250 episodes under its belt, this moment is a huge milestone. Up until now, Peppa Pig has mostly focused on the traditional family setup—mum, dad, two kids, and some barnyard chaos. But now, Penny and her mums have brought us a bit of modern family magic to the table.
Of course, not everyone is thrilled (shocker). Some folks on the internet have tried to stir up drama, claiming it’s “too woke” for preschoolers. But let’s get real—this isn’t about politics; it’s about representation. There are countless kids out there with two mums, two dads, or other beautifully diverse families (including many of our writing team), and they deserve to see themselves on screen.
Back in 2019, a petition demanding same-sex families on Peppa Pig gained nearly 24,000 signatures. The message was clear: excluding LGBTQ+ families sends the wrong message to impressionable kids. It alienates children with same-sex parents and fuels ignorance, which can lead to bullying. Seeing families like theirs on TV isn’t just nice; it’s necessary.
In the UK and the US, the numbers don’t lie—same-sex families are part of the fabric of our communities. In 2022 it was reported that 217,000 same-sex couple families in the UK. These families are loving, supportive, and yes, totally normal. So why not show them slurping spaghetti together on Peppa Pig?
With Penny Polar Bear and her spaghetti-loving mums, Peppa Pig is finally catching up with the world we live in. Because every kid—whether they have two mums, two dads, or a different family set-up —deserves to feel seen.
So here’s to Penny, her mums, and all the spaghetti dinners to come.
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Team Nonchalant x
This article was written by one of our creative team writers here at Nonchalant Magazine.
