It’s June so you know what that means, no not the end of school, no not the start of summer, and no not National Give a Bunch of Balloons month. It’s pride month, the coveted time of the year in which the LGBTQIA community is represented and appreciated, given their month to come together and promote inclusion and awareness of different sexualities and genders. This month is extremely important as LGBTQ+ people continue to be disregarded and discriminated against, not just on a society scale but on a governmental political one. The fight for same-sex marriage continues to be an uphill challenge as the Supreme Court becomes influced by hate, fear, and bias. Florida especially has been an epicenter of discrimination towards LGBTQ+ people as laws such as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill come into fruition. Each of these efforts to hide and force LGBTQ+ people to stay silent is nothing less than the clear hate of those who refuse to accept people that think, or act differently. Instead these people are desperate for conformity, terrified of the possibility of their children realizing that it’s okay to be gay! Kids should feel free to embrace themselves and stay true to their hearts. That is why LGBTQIA representation in the media is imperative, kids need to see that they belong, their feelings aren’t incorrect and they shouldn’t be scared to hide themselves. They can be the hero of their own story, not the sassy gay side character who adds nothing to the plot but a few laughs. They are important, and without them there is no story. So, this pride month, let’s take a look back at the top moments of LGBTQIA representation in children’s media. No. 5 Legend of Korra |
No. 4 Adventure Time
2010-2018 by Pendleton Ward
Where to watch: Hulu, HBOmax, Cartoon Network
It’s Adventure Time, come on grab your friends! Well maybe not friends but close partners…neighbors…bros…yeah no they’re lovers let’s just state it in the open. You quite literally can not have this list without Bubbline, our favorite grumpy goth sunshine pink lesbian duo. They are truly the perfect yin and yang, as far as lesbian couples go.
Adventure Time follows Finn the human and Jake the dog through their adventures in the land of Ooo. There, they do they’re best to protect anyone in need with the help of their friends. Most notable are Marceline the vampire queen, a half-vampire, half-demon who likes to rock, and Princess Bubblegum (“PB”), an extremely bright scientist and ruler of the Candy Kingdom. While each of the girls are side characters in the show, they have managed to become a fan favorite, with some of the best episodes, and specials (my favorite is Stakes!), being the ones centered on them.
If we look at the beginning of their story, it is one of resentment and hostility. The iconic episodes “Go With Me” and “What Was Missing”, both help portray the beginning of their unfriendly relationship. It is shown as something tumultuous, and leaning more toward enemies than lovers. Songs such as “I’m Just Your Problem” also help to portray their difficult relationship, as Marceline sings how she believes PB looks down upon her. Slowly though, through episodes such as “Sky Witch”, “Stakes”, and “Come Along With Me”, they both become more honest about their feelings, and their relationship turns into a close friendship, and later of course a romance. Who could forget their unforgettable kiss in the series finale! Lesbian perfection!
Adventure Time follows Finn the human and Jake the dog through their adventures in the land of Ooo. There, they do they’re best to protect anyone in need with the help of their friends. Most notable are Marceline the vampire queen, a half-vampire, half-demon who likes to rock, and Princess Bubblegum (“PB”), an extremely bright scientist and ruler of the Candy Kingdom. While each of the girls are side characters in the show, they have managed to become a fan favorite, with some of the best episodes, and specials (my favorite is Stakes!), being the ones centered on them.
If we look at the beginning of their story, it is one of resentment and hostility. The iconic episodes “Go With Me” and “What Was Missing”, both help portray the beginning of their unfriendly relationship. It is shown as something tumultuous, and leaning more toward enemies than lovers. Songs such as “I’m Just Your Problem” also help to portray their difficult relationship, as Marceline sings how she believes PB looks down upon her. Slowly though, through episodes such as “Sky Witch”, “Stakes”, and “Come Along With Me”, they both become more honest about their feelings, and their relationship turns into a close friendship, and later of course a romance. Who could forget their unforgettable kiss in the series finale! Lesbian perfection!
Thankfully Adventure Time wasn’t the end of Bubbline, as the sequel show Adventure Time: Distant Lands recently premiered on HBOmax. The episode “Obsidian” continues the story of Marceline and Bubblegum, as we see the obstacles they must overface together if they don’t want to lose the relationship they fought so hard to protect. Plus more Marceline songs for everyone to obsess over! (everyone as in me).
No. 3 The Owl House
2020-to present by Dana Terrace
Where to watch: Disney+, Disney channel
Okay okay okay, yes, maybeeeee I started to watch this purely because Alex Hirsch was affiliated, but oh man did I get so much more than that. GAY WITCHES I REPEAT GAY WITCHES! What more could you want! I know I’ve repeated this a lot already but once again we have one of the most popular LGBTQ+ ships, Lumity!
When Luz Noceda accidentally stumbles upon a portal to a magical realm, her world transforms before her eyes. Luz gets sucked into the magic, mystique, and wonder of what is before her…only problem is, she doesn’t know how to get home. With the help of Eda, King, Hooty, and her friends, she learns to adapt to her new world, learning magic as she tries to find her way home. Oh, and of course she meets Amity along the way. From schoolmate enemies in “I Was A Teenage Abomination”, to their iconic dance in “Enchanting Grom Fright”, this is the definition of a healthy “enemies (to friends) to lovers” relationship.
When Luz Noceda accidentally stumbles upon a portal to a magical realm, her world transforms before her eyes. Luz gets sucked into the magic, mystique, and wonder of what is before her…only problem is, she doesn’t know how to get home. With the help of Eda, King, Hooty, and her friends, she learns to adapt to her new world, learning magic as she tries to find her way home. Oh, and of course she meets Amity along the way. From schoolmate enemies in “I Was A Teenage Abomination”, to their iconic dance in “Enchanting Grom Fright”, this is the definition of a healthy “enemies (to friends) to lovers” relationship.
Luz is also on record for representing one of the first bisexual characters in a Disney show. This is in conjunction with Raine Whispers, a new nonbinary bard shown in season 2. For Disney, this is a big step up, as in the past they have been much more withholding when it came to LGBTQIA characters (something Alex Hirsch, creator of Gravity Falls, has spoken about in the past). I am beyond glad to see Disney start to be more accepting of LGBTQ+ characters, and I hope to see more of this trend in the future. Also here is my written protest against Disney for canceling The Owl House #DisneyDoBetter.
Thank you, if you need to find me I’ll be finishing up season 2 :)
Thank you, if you need to find me I’ll be finishing up season 2 :)
No. 2 She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
2018-2020 by Noelle Stevenson
Where to watch: Netflix
For the honor of Rainbowskull! Woops meant Grayskull, but Rainbowskull fits more with the theme doesn’t it? Heyyyyy Catadora (if you read that in Catra’s voice you’re approved by me). Here we come to yet another classic LGBTQ+ cartoon ship, angry cat girl and clumsy tall girl, what better dup is there?
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power takes a new current look from the original show in the 1980s. When Adora accidentally finds the magical Sword of Protection, her previous loyalites change as the rebel group she was raised to despise show her the reality of her world, and that as a solider for the Horde, she too is contributing to the evil polluting Etheria. Now, Adora wields the connection behind She-Ra, the Princess of power; with this legacy now in her hands, Adora chooses to defect from her home (and Catara her best friend) and pledge her allegiance to the Princess Alliance. Catara and Adora must now come to terms with fighting one another, forgetting their past and staying true to the groups they have promised to fight for. Of course, things don’t go to plan - eventually they each see the faults of their ways, Catara realizes she’s working for a crazy group, and together they defeat the evil in Etheria once and for all. But, before we get to that there are five seasons of literal cat and mouse chases, threatening ball dances (shoutout to “Princess Prom”), and life threatening moments that make us catch our breath. I have to say, the slow enemies to lovers burn does the tick, when Catadora finally kiss, it’s breathtaking. This couple, despite their…problems, will forever remain one of the quintessential LGBTQ+.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power takes a new current look from the original show in the 1980s. When Adora accidentally finds the magical Sword of Protection, her previous loyalites change as the rebel group she was raised to despise show her the reality of her world, and that as a solider for the Horde, she too is contributing to the evil polluting Etheria. Now, Adora wields the connection behind She-Ra, the Princess of power; with this legacy now in her hands, Adora chooses to defect from her home (and Catara her best friend) and pledge her allegiance to the Princess Alliance. Catara and Adora must now come to terms with fighting one another, forgetting their past and staying true to the groups they have promised to fight for. Of course, things don’t go to plan - eventually they each see the faults of their ways, Catara realizes she’s working for a crazy group, and together they defeat the evil in Etheria once and for all. But, before we get to that there are five seasons of literal cat and mouse chases, threatening ball dances (shoutout to “Princess Prom”), and life threatening moments that make us catch our breath. I have to say, the slow enemies to lovers burn does the tick, when Catadora finally kiss, it’s breathtaking. This couple, despite their…problems, will forever remain one of the quintessential LGBTQ+.
Besides the obvious pair, She-Ra contains a plethora of other LGBTQIA characters that were canon well before Adora and Catara. Two other notable LGBTQIA are Netossa and Spinerella and Bow’s two fathers, each are not judged for their relationships. Plus who could forget loveable Double Trouble, the nonbinary shapeshift mercenary who works with Catara. Stevenson says that “[she] really wanted to try and shake that up. What if we had central, dynamic, complex lesbian, gay and queer characters whose stories were compelling and relatable and inextricably tied to their queerness, and on top of that they had that kind of draw to them that makes them someone’s favorite character?”
Not only did Stevenson show LGBTQ+ relationships, she also changed the idea of the classic feminine heroine. Characters such as Scorpia, Huntara, and even clumsy gay Adora, all shows that heros don’t have to fit a certain look, body type, or sexuality. This open environment for gender expression helps show kids the normality of expressing themselves in different ways; they don’t need to stick to the basic gender genre. Stevenson says in an interview that media “[is] a space that is very important for young people who are finding out who they are… It would have been huge for me for [I] had had something that was very normal, very accepted, something that was shown as being aspirational and beautiful. I think I would have started to figure things out a lot earlier.” I admire her for creating her show with this intention, this wasn’t something she threw in along the way, she wanted to create a place of acceptance and representation.
I also would love to share a little story. When I was babysitting a couple of months ago, me, a female 8 and 4 year old, plus two other male 2 and 3 year olds, all sat down and watched seasons worth of She-Ra. I kept expecting some sort of response or questions that would make me answer “save that one for your parents”, but, instead they blissfully watched, enjoying the show and shouting for the honor of greyskull with me in unison. The kids saw nothing abnormal with any of the people or relationships represented in the show, all they cared about was some awesome fighting and magic. The more we normalize LGBTQIA characters, the better off the future generations will be when it comes to acceptance and the fight for equality. When they come of age, together we will all help to create a world where no one will have to hide who they are. One of my favorite babysitting gigs by far.
I also would love to share a little story. When I was babysitting a couple of months ago, me, a female 8 and 4 year old, plus two other male 2 and 3 year olds, all sat down and watched seasons worth of She-Ra. I kept expecting some sort of response or questions that would make me answer “save that one for your parents”, but, instead they blissfully watched, enjoying the show and shouting for the honor of greyskull with me in unison. The kids saw nothing abnormal with any of the people or relationships represented in the show, all they cared about was some awesome fighting and magic. The more we normalize LGBTQIA characters, the better off the future generations will be when it comes to acceptance and the fight for equality. When they come of age, together we will all help to create a world where no one will have to hide who they are. One of my favorite babysitting gigs by far.
No. 1 Steven Universe
2013-2019 by Rebecca Sugar
Where to watch: Hulu, HBOmax, Cartoon Network
Lastly I’m ending this list with Steven Universe because how could I possibly not do so. With over 50 LGBTQ+ characters, and one of the only shows featuring a same-sex marriage, Steven Universe is an essential LGBTQ+ watch for not only kids but adults. Created by Rebecca Sugar, Steven Universe follows the story of Steven, a child who is raised by his lax musician/carwash operator father and magical “gems”, beings from outer space who have sworn duty to protect Earth from those who would harm it through their powers, gems on their bodies which they are able to extract weapons from. Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl (each respectively named after a crystal) all face their personal demons as Steven shows them that kindness and love rule over evil and personal gain. Together they lean on one another, share sweet personal moments, and kick butt fighting evil doers in their way, but, they’re always sure to grab a cookie cat sandwich at the end of the day.
I would begin to list the more prominent LGBTQIA characters in Steven Universe but the list would go on for days, from Ruby and Sapphire (who together create Garnet, a being of their love), to Sadie who later on in Steven Universe Future discovers her own sexuality as pansexual, to loveable Stevonnie, a combination of Steven and his bestfirend Connie who is genderneutral and goes by the pronouns they/them, Rebecca Sugar has made a point of making inclusion and acceptance her top priority.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly Sugar says that, “We need to let children know that they belong in this world…You can’t wait to tell them that until after they grow up or the damage will be done. You have to tell them while they’re still children that they deserve love and that they deserve support and that people will be excited to hear their story. When you don’t show any children stories about LGBTQIA characters and then they grow up, they’re not going to tell their own stories because they’re gonna think that they’re inappropriate and they’re going to have a very good reason to think that because they’ve been told that through their entire childhood.”
I also don’t think I could finish this review without mentioning Sugar’s superb representation of mental health in the show. Steven Universe Future takes a closer look into the mental health problems Steven struggles with (particularly trauma and PTSD) years after the world is saved. In most kid/superhero shows, the main characters never seem to struggle with the large amounts of trauma they experience every day. Crazy enough when you get kidnapped, have your parents die (I’m looking at you Batman - go see a therapist) and think the world is going to end every few days, your brain remembers that. In the show we see that even though the physical scars have healed, mentally, Steven still has to take a deep look inside and retify the cracks within.
Not only does Sugar maintain an enticing plot with addictive twists and turns and a beautiful animation that entrances the eye, she has created a show that showed kids the normality of being a part of the LGBTQ+ community, struggling with mental health, and overall being different. Yes in this world you might have to fight 70 foot tall diamond villains, but hey no one cares if you’re gay along the way. Embrace who you are and the people who truly care about you will accept you for who you are. Although watch out if you have a diamond for a mother, there are some complications with that…
🏳️🌈HAPPY PRIDE MONTH EVERYONE!🏳️⚧️
Sources:
- https://www.insider.com/lgbtq-cartoon-characters-kids-database-2021-06?page=see-the-data
- https://www.vulture.com/2022/03/best-queer-animated-kids-shows.html
- https://www.vulture.com/2017/01/steven-universe-the-queerest-cartoon-on-tv.html
- https://www.romper.com/life/lgbtq-shows-kids-family
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/09/16/how-legend-korra-changed-landscape-queer-representation-animated-shows/
- https://www.vulture.com/article/legend-of-korra-korrasami-queer-characters-kids-tv-legacy.html
- https://www.newsweek.com/legend-korra-ending-final-scene-korra-asami-kiss-lesbian-lgbtq-korrasami-1526733
- https://www.themarysue.com/owl-house-queer-rep-far-ahead-disney/
- https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/the-owl-house-disney-bisexual-character-lux-amity-1234736149/
- https://culturedvultures.com/best-marceline-princess-bubblegum-episodes-adventure-time
- https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-05-18/netflix-she-ra-series-finale-queer-love-wins
- https://screenrant.com/she-ra-best-lgbtq-representation-scenes-catra-bow-netossa-spinerella/
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Sloane Shevin
Writer, Filmmaker, Director
In the end creativity is who I am. Whether it be via a camera or a pen, I feel the most “me” when I am expressing myself. I like to joke that filmmaking is in my blood as my name is from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, it’s practically my birthwrite to be movie obsessed. With filmmaking and writing I am able to share a new perspective, tell a different story than what’s already been told. I hope to invoke feelings in whoever reads or watches my work, whether it be a chuckle or a revelation. In the end that is what storytelling is meant to do, enlighten each and everyone of us.