For the very first time in the network’s history, The Disney Channel has introduced its first same-sex couple in an episode of Good Luck Charlie.

Lilli Birdsell and Desi Lydic play the lesbian parents, Cheryl and Susan, who bring their child on a play date with Charlie, the show’s title character.

The Disney Channel announced its plan to feature the network’s first gay characters in a statement released last June. “This particular storyline was developed under the consultancy of child development experts and community advisers,” the statement said.

“Like all Disney Channel programming, it was developed to be relevant to kids and families around the world and to reflect themes of diversity and inclusiveness.”

Not everyone has been happy with the inclusion of these characters, with The American Family Association’s One Million Moms accusing Disney of wanting to “corrupt the children’s network with LGBT content”. The group has also gone on to say that if the producers of the show go ahead with introducing the gay characters, “the floodgates will be opened for all programs on the Disney Channel – a trend that will be almost impossible to stop.”

The Outmost thinks that having LGBT representation in all Disney programmes can only be a positive thing, and commend Disney for getting the ball rolling with these new characters.