<P> "Pawnee Zoo" is the second season premiere of the American comedy television series Parks and Recreation, and the seventh overall episode of the series . It originally aired on NBC in the United States on September 17, 2009 . In the episode, Leslie accidentally takes a stand in favor of same - sex marriage when she holds a marriage for two male penguins during a publicity stunt for the zoo . </P> <P> The episode was written by Norm Hiscock and directed by Paul Feig . The writing staff sought to address more topical issues during the second season, and the same - sex marriage plot was inspired by the real - life pairing of Harry and Pepper, a pair of romantically involved male penguins at the San Francisco Zoo . However, Hiscock said he was focused more strongly on comedy than making a political or social statement . </P> <P> "Pawnee Zoo" received generally positive reviews, with several commentators claiming it showed improvement and growth compared to the show's first season, which received lukewarm reviews . According to Nielsen Media Research, "Pawnee Zoo" was watched by 5 million households . Among viewers aged between 18 and 49, the episode was seen by 30 percent fewer viewers than the first season pilot episode . In March 2010, "Pawnee Zoo" won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Individual Episode . </P> <P> The episode opens with Ron (Nick Offerman) saying to Leslie (Amy Poehler), "Here's the situation ...", prompting her to go into a full rendition of the rap "Parents Just Don't Understand". Afterward, he tells her someone is on fire at a park and needs immediate assistance . Later, Leslie holds a marriage for two recently acquired penguins to help promote the Pawnee Zoo . Immediately after the marriage, the two penguins begin having sex in front of a crowd of children, who are informed by an adult in the audience that both penguins are actually males . The Bulge, a gay bar in Pawnee, later sends Leslie a wedding cake with two penguins on top to thank her for supporting the gay community . April (Aubrey Plaza) introduces Leslie to her boyfriend Derek (Blake Lee), who himself also has a boyfriend named Ben (Josh Duvendeck), much to Leslie's confusion . They declare her their "hero" for holding the gay penguin wedding, but Leslie insists it was simply a publicity stunt, not a political statement . Nevertheless, Marcia Langman (Darlene Hunt), a member of the Society for Family Stability Foundation, demands she annul the penguin wedding or resign from the parks department . </P>

Parks and recreation okay here's the situation