Cartoon Characters Who Are Openly LGBTQ+

For a long time, LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream entertainment seemed like something of a fantasy. But things have gotten a whole lot more open in the last decade or so — even in the world of cartoons. Animation, in fact, has proven to be a great place to explore the panorama of sexuality and gender. And boy, do these animated series  take full advantage of their medium. Anthropomorphic birds on BoJack Horseman, nigh-immortal aliens on Steven Universe, and candy-coated princesses on Adventure Time all fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella nowadays. This is not to say that LGBTQ+ liberation is a fantasy – the struggle for equality is all too real. But animation is uniquely free of limits, and creators have used this openness to create safe havens of expression for all ages. Symbolism, magic, and fantasy are potent tools of representation in these cartoons, used to their fullest potential in these LGBTQ+ characters. From princesses to warriors, they're out and proud — and we're here to celebrate them.

Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts boasts a truly adorable relationship in the one between Troy and Benson. These characters bond over their mutual love of hip-hop from the "old world" and of flapjacks. From the beginning, their affection for each other is obvious, enhanced by the series' entrancing animation and whimsical worldbuilding. When their adventures grow more, well, adventurous, that crush grows ever more serious — sometimes, they even find themselves holding hands.

This budding relationship is built on a firm foundation of representation. Benson's sexuality is made explicit in the season one episode "Ratland," in which Benson, in response to his (female) friend Kipo's crush on him, simply says, "I'm gay." This is not something we see often, especially in a children's show. There are no minced words or implications, just total honesty and acceptance. While coming out is often not nearly as casual as it is in this scene, it's admirable for an all-ages cartoon to show that you shouldn't have to explain or apologize — you can just be who you are, and expect your friends to have  your back.

Jackie and Chloe of Star Vs. The Forces of Evil are a same-sex couple, as confirmed by one of the show's writers. This writer, who wrote and storyboarded a scene between the two, also identifies as bisexual. Many emerging LGBTQ+ characters in the animated world have come into being through the courage and creativity of writers and artists who are a part of the community, and this pair is a great example. In the episode the writer references, "Britta's Tacos," the pair can be seen with their arms around each other and holding hands.

While there isn't an actual kiss between Chloe and Jackie, Star vs. The Forces of Evil did depict Disney's first same-sex kiss on screen. It doesn't occur between any main characters, but between a smattering of couples in the background at a concert. There were some initial theories among fans that Disney censored the episode due to complaints, as it appeared to have been removed from the lineup on the TV schedule and the website at the time. But in time it was restored, and fans have no doubt as to where the show's allegiances rest now.

Adventure Time explores serious themes in profoundly strange ways. Some characters, like BMO, are self-aware video game consoles. Some princesses, like Bubblegum, are scientists, while others, like Lumpy Space Princess, are arrogant teenagers. The show quietly shrugs off preconceived notions of all sorts — and that includes expectations of gender and sexuality.

Princess Bubblegum and Marceline the Vampire Queen are the most prominent example of this. The two have a complex relationship hinted at throughout the series, with literal centuries of history behind it. Rebecca Sugar, who would go on to break miles of ground in this regard as the creator of Steven Universe, was a big part of making the two a couple — and fans took notice. "Bubbline" became a popular couple with thousands of fans to its name. Finally, Bubblegum and Marceline confirm their love in the series finale, "Come Along With Me," when, after a climactic battle, they kiss. The two might be very different — Bubblegum is a ruler, a mad scientist, and a bit of a stickler for decorum, while Marceline is a laid-back rocker chick with a complex past. But when they're together, it just works.

Shiro, one of the main characters in Voltron: Legendary Defender, is at some point confirmed to be in a same-sex relationship back on Earth with a man named Adam. However,  the episodes containing Adam only show him breaking up with Shiro and then being killed by aliens. Fans weren't happy, eventually spurring an apology from the showrunner.

Following this apology, Shiro does have another relationship with a character named Curtis — one that ends in marriage, seen in a montage at the end of the eighth season, depicting the lives of the characters. Despite this presumably happy ending, very little is known about the beginning and middle of this relationship. Curtis already existed as a character in the show, albeit one in the background, so there are lots of ways to imagine he and Shiro met — but all of them must be imagined. Fans will have to content themselves with knowing the relationship exists and ends in marriage, rather than seeing it take shape in the first place.

Gravity Falls creator Alex Hirsch made multiple attempts to include LGBTQ+ relationships in his show. It wasn't always easy: Early in the series, there is a scene in which the Cupid-esque Love God spreads love all over town. People fall for each other left and right, including one pair of old women. Immediately, the network sent a note back that two women in love was not appropriate for their audience.

Hirsch responded simply: "Why?" The contention only grew from there, until the network issued an ultimatum, saying that he could change the scene or they would cut the episode. Hirsch's insistence did give them a run for their money, and perhaps cleared some of the barriers to another couple the show features later on: Sheriff Blubs and Deputy Durland. After the world almost ends, these two, who have already been seen in various romantic settings and have extremely suggestive dialogue, finally declare to the world that they're "mad with power ... and love!" At the end of the world, love really is the only thing that matters.

Like its predecessor Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra received critical acclaim for tackling themes far beyond the scope of most animated series. Korra explores PTSD, fascism, technological disruption of society, and more — and does it all through the eyes of its brown-skinned female protagonist. In the finale, we learn that she is also bisexual: Korra and Asami Sato end the series by holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes, in a direct parallel to the romantic final scene of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Korra and Asami's relationship came as a surprise to fans, but upon rewatch, its development is obvious. The two start out in a love triangle, both vying for the affections of Mako. In this case, however, the girls get the girl — each other! After their rocky beginning, the two become friends, to the point that Asami becomes Korra's most important confidant. Korra's biggest struggle as the Avatar and as a person is with accepting support and opening herself up to vulnerability: Asami proves to be her number-one support in this regard. Nickelodeon, while supportive of this relationship, prescribed limitations preventing a kiss between Korra and Asami as they embarked on their Spirit World vacation. But it's safe to say, and confirmed by the comics, that the Spirit World has no such rules.