[Lacey Irby](/columnists/Lacey+Irby)  
2/22/2005

'The Simpsons' character makes her out-of-the-closet debut

Marge Simpson's sister, Patty Bouvier, admitted on the Feb. 20 cartoon show that she "likes girls."  
  
The much anticipated episode, titled 'There's Something About Marrying,' featured chain-smoker Patty announcing that she planned to marry her girlfriend, Veronica. Patty came out after Springfield legalized gay marriage to increase tourism.  
  
Homer Simpson officiated the ceremony, addressing the wedding attendees as 'Queerly Beloved.'  
  
The show had a twist when Patty found out that Veronica was a man disguised as woman, so he could play in ladies' golf tournaments. The marriage was annulled.  
  
The episode also began with a 'parental discression' advisory because it contained discussion of same sex marriage.  
  
The topic of homosexuality is treaded terrain for the show, now in its 16th season. Montgomery Burns' assistant, Waylon Smithers collects Malibu Stacy dolls and sometimes expresses his feelings for Burns, only to immediately retract them.