movies/tv Gay characters in a kids show?

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

I know Disney is kind of leaning into putting in gay characters. In Good Luck Charlie, there were outright lesbians in an episode. In Frozen, I think there was a character that was implied to be gay. I think Disney is just testing their waters to see how the audience reacts. I'm sure all these writers on these kids shows would love having gay characters on their shows. It's just that none of them wants to be that show that pulls the trigger because then that's all their show will be remembered for. Not the plot, just the controversy. Those two examples from Disney I mentioned, were small moments that caused a big reaction.

[VitalSpark 1,830]

For the most part, characters on children's TV don't have any identifiable sexuality. You might assume them to be heterosexual in the absence of any clues to the contrary, but there's rarely any definitive proof.

 

Take a look at some seemingly "obvious" MLP characters. Shining Armor: he's straight, right? He's married to Cadence.

 

But is he straight? But what if I told you he's bi? Disagree? Try finding evidence in the FIM canon that points to him not being sexually attracted to stallions. There is no such evidence. There's also no evidence that he is sexually attracted to stallions.

 

Statistically speaking, as heterosexuals seem more common than bisexuals (at least in our world, perhaps not in Equestria?) it is not unreasonable to assume he is heterosexual. It's just that this assumption isn't really backed by canonical evidence.

[Andaasonsan 3,205]

It's honestly really sad that just acknowledging gay people exist in a kids show would be controversial.

 

If in an episode of FiM if it was just mentioned in passing that two stallions were married it would open the freaking floodgates. "Oh my God, why are you trying to push your 'gay agenda' on us."

 

I always find the whole idea of the "gay agenda" to be pretty lol-worthy. That's all it basically takes to piss these people off is anyone openly being gay.

 

I hate the hypocrisy of the crazy mental gymnastics people go  through these days explaining how they're not really "homophobic" because they don't technically hate gay people. Yeah I'm sure it's really reassuring to gay people to hear how you don't hate them but you think their entire lifestyle is sinful and an abomination, and that they should not have the same rights, and they should just stay in the closet and not acknowledge being gay.

[VanillaChip 71]

It's fine as long they don't make the characters stereotypical and obnoxious. 

[Shenron00 366]

You know the rule: if it's controversial, don't put it in a kids show, or you'll get bitched at by a bunch of annoying, butthurt morons. Not saying that I don't like the idea, I'm actually okay with it. It'd teach the kiddies about respecting others' differences and stuff like that.

[Larkybird~ 734]

I know Disney is kind of leaning into putting in gay characters. In Good Luck Charlie, there were outright lesbians in an episode. In Frozen, I think there was a character that was implied to be gay. I think Disney is just testing their waters to see how the audience reacts. I'm sure all these writers on these kids shows would love having gay characters on their shows. It's just that none of them wants to be that show that pulls the trigger because then that's all their show will be remembered for. Not the plot, just the controversy. Those two examples from Disney I mentioned, were small moments that caused a big reaction.

Preeeeeeetty sure the Frozen one wasn't gay and it was disproven at some point too.

[Littlepip3000 111]

I think it only reasonable and fair that if children's shows regularly depict heterosexual relationships that homosexual relationships should be included, too.

[TubeSock2018 325]

I bet people were having a similar conversation some years ago.

"Do you think they'll ever put an interracial couple in a kid's show".

I actually have no idea if it has happened, but I'm inclined to believe it has.

It is sad, tho, that even in 2014, an interracial marriage is met with backlash (remember those cheerios commercials?).

 

My point is, I think we've got a while to go before we see a gay couple in a kid's show if an interracial marrige in a cereal commercial is met with criticism.

Maybe not by the majority, but still. Goes to show how loud a minority can be. Now imagine for a gay couple for a kids show.

"oooh how scary. It'll corrupt our kids"

 

I hope my brother is right and a gay disney protagonist will appear within one of their next five movies.

[Larkybird~ 734]

I think it only reasonable and fair that if children's shows regularly depict heterosexual relationships that homosexual relationships should be included, too.

I would too. But it doesn't seem very likely sadly.

I'd prefer a bisexual one a bit more since they get very little representation in ANY form of media. Not even in "adult" media. Which is bull.

 

[Galen Selanno 351]

If there were homosexual relationships in kids' shows, the Mane 6 would be depicted as 6 lesbians who have group orgies at the end of every episode, because that's what Americans think of homosexuals down here.

[Splashee 28,566]

All the gems in Steven Universe

[Ittoni 538]

I'm ok with it if it's taken as something normal and not overemphasize it. It's tough because there's some shows that fall into exaggerated stereotypes of gay people and that is just insulting and completely unnecessary. Something more casual is way better and how this things actually are. Is just... normal. It's fine that there's people of plenty of colors and flavors but don't make the stereotype be the only form of gay people that exist in your shows. Put several different examples or mix it a bit and treat them equal to any other person. Is like you don't know people 

[Evil Pink One 13,510]

On 10/5/2020 at 8:27 AM, Splashee® said:

All the gems in Steven Universe

Are they even considered gay?

 

On 10/5/2020 at 9:13 AM, Ittoni said:

I'm ok with it if it's taken as something normal and not overemphasize it. It's tough because there's some shows that fall into exaggerated stereotypes of gay people and that is just insulting and completely unnecessary. Something more casual is way better and how this things actually are. Is just... normal. It's fine that there's people of plenty of colors and flavors but don't make the stereotype be the only form of gay people that exist in your shows. Put several different examples or mix it a bit and treat them equal to any other person. Is like you don't know people 

True....

[Here No Longer 5,277]

Nobody should honestly care about this and consider it an issue at this point.

Edited October 6, 2020 by Spoopy

[honk friend 1,978]

Some of the best kid's shows over the past few years have had solid LGBT rep. She-Ra, Kipo, even MLP to a small extent. There's not really any reason not to have an inclusive and diverse cast in most shows since it gives a wider variety of people more characters they can relate to. She-ra in particular was groundbreaking for me because it was one of the first shows to prominently feature trans and autistic  characters that weren't just comic relief or caricatures. It also did a great job with handling themes of abuse for a kid's show.

[Tao 7,987]

On 10/6/2020 at 3:37 PM, Annie said:

Some of the best kid's shows over the past few years have had solid LGBT rep. She-Ra, Kipo, even MLP to a small extent. There's not really any reason not to have an inclusive and diverse cast in most shows since it gives a wider variety of people more characters they can relate to. She-ra in particular was groundbreaking for me because it was one of the first shows to prominently feature trans and autistic  characters that weren't just comic relief or caricatures. It also did a great job with handling themes of abuse for a kid's show.

Agreed

Even now in Disney's Owl House,  we have Bi and lesbian characters for the first time but its not like shoved down ppls throats'.   And given now how much our culture has changed,  well it bound to happen.

[Fluttershutter 2,529]

It's become acceptable to slip them in in a way adults believe will probably go over kids' heads.

She-Ra was completely obvious but I don't think I would count it as a kids show.

[Olly 1,011]

I would have loved to see gay characters in shows when I was a kid. There are shows that have a hint of gayness, like gumball. I'm certain that with time, it will be much more open and prevalent. You don't have to replace straight relationships with gay ones, just have them exist. Hopefully not always in the far background, such as it is atm. The fact that gay people exist shouldn't be "controversial" 

[Stardust 641]

I think it's becoming more acceptable ofc all characters age appropriate. I think children struggle to understand this beyond its a boy and boy which seems different to normal. I don't think when I was a child I dun really understand romantic relationship or whatever too well especially when 3 or 4. 

I think I heard with teenager content they have more stories with gay characters tho I think having a kiss and that still has potential to upset some ppl although even that is changing.

[Evil Pink One 13,510]

You know what...theres a reason theres PG on the start of every show....it means parental guidance.... So if anything its the parents fault for whatever they let their kids watch without their guidance... So i sont know why people or parents are mad when they see their child watch a show they didnt like.... Just don't watch it.

[Ruddboy Olaf 10,628]

I think it's hypocritical to allow heterosexual romance to exist in kids shows, especially when said romance results in a pregnancy, but not homosexual or lesbian romance. Because a huge complaint about homosexuality, is that it introduces mature and sexual themes. And introducing or showing a pregnant woman isn't? Or how about the random kid that appears out of nowhere after a heterosexual couple has been together for a while? You don't think your kid will question that? Of course not, because he/she exists. But, what if they do ask you about it? Then, usually you make up a lie or sugarcoat it. So, I ask, why can't you sugarcoat a homosexual/lesbian explanation? Why can't you simply say that some girls like girls, or some boys like boys? Why is it so hard to let a child know that boys liking boys and girls liking girls is just as natural as boys liking girls/girls liking boys? I think it's good to teach a child that gays/lesbians exist and that there's nothing wrong with it, so they can learn to be more accepting. Especially when we have so many shows that portray homosexual behavior as weird and play it for laughs. 

Also, what is this this stereotype that being gay/lesbian is only about the sexual aspects of a relationship? Heterosexuals can be just as and sometimes even more focused on sex, than a homosexual couple, and a homosexual couple can express their love in non-sexual ways just like a heterosexual couple can.

Oh, and about MLP, yes, there should be gays and lesbians in MLP. If heterosexuals and innuendos/adult jokes can and do exist in MLP, then there's no excuse.