Same-sex couple Patty and her wife Veronica, from The Simpsons, have announced their plans to honeymoon in Sydney for the 2005 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The stars of the world’s favourite family cartoon married in a episode just recently shown in the US. They will use their honeymoon to comeand celebrate as part of the world’s largest gay and lesbian pride parade.

Whilst here it is expected that they will participate in the parade, to be held on March 5, alongside fellow cartoon character, Spongebob Squarepants, who has recently been attacked by conservatives in the US for being too “gay-friendly”.

The characters will be part of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby float, which focuses on the importance of family within the gay and lesbian community.

David Scamell, co-convenor, commented: “Characters like Patty and Spongebob Squarepants are attacked as being against family values. The reality is that these characters reflect the most important family values: respect and tolerance.”

Julie McConnell, co-convenor, added: “Same-sex parents and samesex families have always been a part of the community. It is about time that our families were recognised like all other families."