Gay adult cartoons
The 15 Best LGBTQ Cartoons of All Time
It took a long time, but mainstream cartoons are finally coming out of the closet. Now, we can only hope they reside that way.
When live-action television began making inroads for gay representation during the turn of the century, animation remained a frustratingly straight (if frequently queer-coded) affair. The reasons behind the medium’s slowness were obvious and, predictably, homophobic. Animation is too often seen as content made for kids, and lgbtq+ attraction is regarded as an “adult” topic. So, pearl-clutching TV critics would argue, children shouldn’t be exposed to “adult” (read: gay) characters through raunchy cartoons.
That’s not to utter that there weren’t LGBTQ people in cartoons before the 2010s; Japanese anime, in particular, was slightly ahead of the curve on this front, with ’90s classics like “Sailor Moon” and “Neon Genesis Evangelion” featuring explicitly gender non-conforming themes and love stories. But that content was often mercilessly squashed when it made its way to North America; notice the infamous first English dub of “Sailor Moon,” which
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been tearing up about The Owl House series finale for almost a full week now. In a nice way, because it was a perfect sendoff. And also in a gloomy way, because it’s over. If you’re feeling the same way, maybe you could use a minute list of other animated series to check out while your heart mends? Below I’ve chosen 15 of my all-time favorite queer cartoons! Please contribute yours in the comments!
The Legend of Korra
Where to watch: Netflix
Who it’s for: Gays who like badass, complicated women; Avatar-style magic; and a slow-burn adoration with an endgame sapphic sendoff.
Steven Universe
Where to watch: Hulu, Cartoon Network (with ads)
Who it’s for: Fantasy fans who love expansive lore; found family feelers; trauma healers; and homosexual + trans characters for days and days.
Danger & Eggs
Where to watch: Prime Video
Who it’s for: Weirdos who know their gender non-conforming pop culture and wish to vicariously attend the best Pride parade ever.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Where to watch: Netflix
Who it’s for: Anyone who likes epic fantasy and sci-fi and has always
Homosexuality, Cartoons, and Satan
Anyway, appreciate I was saying, it's not being gay that makes Satan funny. It's the fact that (especially in South Park) he is clearly, shall we say, not exactly the dominant one in the relationship. We're used to seeing Satan as great, masculine, dominating, and scary. Juxtaposing that image with this very effete, passive, sensitive character: that's where the humor comes in.
It's kind of similar to how you notice kind of a lot of clown characters who are either downright bad or else just plain dysfun
Pride month’s come and gone but, who cares! It’s always prime time to view queer-themed TV. Round up the end of your 2022 with some wholesome (and maybe not so wholesome) animated shows!
Adventure Moment (2010-18), Cartoon Network
Adventure period does not only contain queer characters like Princess Bubblegum and Marceline the Vampire Queen, but it also has a broad range of queer subtext, particularly around ways of recognising other forms of kinship, shaped through society and friendship. The demonstrate also portrays the nuances of being a hero as as something beyond mere supreme power and courage all the moment, and takes its occasion to offer lessons in consent, trust, and attentive for others. The creators had to wait almost a decade to showcase a same-sex kiss between two of its characters, but the follow-up series explored more of its queer nuances.
Steven Universe (2013-19), Cartoon Network
Probably the finest show on this list, Steven Universe deals with themes of intergenerational trauma, chosen family, love, colonisation, mental health, and persona. It does this through the coming-of-age story of Steven, a young person who’s comfortable with both their mascu
.