First cartoon to show gay characters
For many LGBTQ+ people, representation can facilitate them to arrive to terms with their gender/sexuality and so it is important that positive representation exists in media. However historically, LGBTQ+ representation in film and TV has been lacking, with many characters conforming to stereotypes or enduring inhumane fates.
With the introduction of the ‘Hays Code’ in the USA in 1934, LGBTQ+ characters were prohibited from appearing in film. Though homosexuality was never specifically mentioned, the law stated that movies must not “lower the moral standards of those who see [them]” – and at the time existence LGBTQ+ was considered immoral. These were lifted in 1968, but this still left three decades with the only representation being queer-coded villains.
Following the lifting of the ‘Hays Code’ and the Stonewall Riots of 1969, came the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975. The musical featured an array of LGBTQ+ characters and introduced some much-needed positive representation. The 1980s unfortunately worsened the stigma around LGBTQ+ people due to the AIDs crisis. Nevertheless, in 1985 Desert Hearts was released, which is regarded as the first mainstream woman loving woman film
The No-Watch List: Guide to All the Kids' Shows and Movies That Have LGBTQ Characters and Content
Phew! It has taken me a long period to put this together. I will greatly appreciate your support in adding to this list and helping me keep in current.
So, here is the list of kids' shows and movies ruined by the forced addition of LGBTQ characters and storylines, in alphabetic order, plus the approximate season for when the show went bad.
WARNING: Many of the quotes I use to describe when the show went bad have been compiled from LGBTQ-friendly sites, so they may describe the content in a positive light. I certainly accomplish not see this content as a positive thing.
>> "Ab Initio" designation means a display was gay from the beginning
Yeah, Disney is on this list a lot ...
The table of contents below will facilitate you navigate the list: (Note: Table of Contents may only be visible on desktop view)
GRID OF ALL KIDS SHOWS WITH LGBTQ CONTENT
You can access this database here, as well. Warning: the database is celebrating same-sex attracted content.
KIDS SHOWS, ANIMATED SERIES, TV OR STREAMING, WITH LGBTQ CONTENT
For m
Laika’s ‘ParaNorman’ Presents First Openly Gay Animated Character
When it debuted on August 17, Laika’s stop-motion animated zombie comedy “ParaNorman” might just have made history–in perhaps the quietest way feasible. In a small, almost thrown-away moment towards the end of the show, one of the film’s supporting characters mentions his boyfriend, and in doing so, became the first openly gay character in an American animated film. (Mild spoiler alert: this post contains a couple of “ParaNorman” references that you might want to hold off on until you’ve seen the film.)
Norman Babcock, the protagonist of “ParaNorman,” teams up (albeit not willingly) towards the beginning of the movie with Neil, an eccentric, chubby kid who’s as much of an outcast at school as Norman is. When Norman sneaks out of the house on a evening that his parents proceed out to dinner, his ditzy sister Courtney looks to Neil for assist, along with Neil’s brother Mitch, a jock with a chain link tattoo on his bicep and a character design so stylized his hugely muscular torso looks like it’s from a di
The First Cartoon LGBT Representation That No One Talks About
With many people talking about the 2010s cartoons being steady by representing LGBT such as
LGBT weddings
Main characters confirming their gay/lesbian/bi
and side characters being gay
But as someone who was born in 2000s in Canada, there’s one cartoon LGBT representation that I barely hear anyone talk about and that is Jean from 6teen.
She first appeared on the 89th episode of the show where Nikki befriends her and was curios if she’s homosexual woman or not. Unlike most shows where they have to hints that they are gay and show it by the end, 6teen just spill the beans by having her say “Yes, I’m into girls”.
And then they reveal her going to prom with a girl
This is probably the first cartoon show that depict LGBT in the most chillest way by telling that she’s into girls. No hints, no waiting till the end of the series or anything, just flat out saying she’s a lesbian.