Today my son and I saw the first episode of Sesame Street to feature the new character Abby Cadabby. Most people concede it’s nice to have another female Muppet on the show, although many criticize the fairy Abby for being too stereotypically girly, pink, and sparkly.
Frankly, I don’t see her as so much more girly than the other females on the show. Yes, she’s pink and “girly” all right, but it’s not like Zoë, with her hair ribbons and tutu skirt, is really as tomboyish as the New York Times claims. (Article for subscribers and Times Select members only.) Or is it just that as a lesbian, with butch friends (as well as femme friends who can hit a softball into next week), my baseline for what’s tomboyish is skewed? Do we need Abby to balance out Zoë? Will girls relate to her in a constructive way? Or is Abby just another Barbie/princess with little redeeming value?
My son today demonstrated another angle. He liked the new character, so much so that he went around the rest of the morning exclaiming “I’m Aaaabby Cadabby! I’m a fairy!”
Do I think my son’s gay or transgender? No—or at least not because of this. It’s far too early to tell (and as long as he’s happy, I don’t care). I believe, however, that both girls and boys will benefit if they make an effort to understand and embrace some of the characteristics usually associated with the other gender. If Abby helps my son get in touch with his inner fairy, it’s okay by me.