Gays In Cartoons

[cyde]

I hope it doesen't cause a lot of offense, but of all the cartoons I've seen, alot of them carry gay overtones--from Bugs Bunny to Rocko, from SquareBob, Pat Star, Ren & Stimpy, to even Big Gay Al, Garrison an' Mister Slave. And so forth.

[Darklordavaitor]

Who, like Mr. Garrison, Mr. Slave, Butters, Smithers, Jake Spidermonkey, etc?

[The Myst]

Who, like Mr. Garrison, Mr. Slave, Butters, Smithers, Jake Spidermonkey, etc?

Butters isn't gay. He's just naive.

[Gobolatula]

Back in the day, Bugs Bunny dressing up like a girl wasn't considered "gay." It was considered funny. And that's cause it is funny.

Ren and Stimpy, on the other hand, is more blatant. And I think that's hilarious.

I say gay it up.

[Darklordavaitor]

Butters isn't gay. He's just naive.

More like bi-curious.

[Gokou Ruri]

Dion from Braceface was suppose to be homosexual, and I remember hearing Jumba and Pleakley from Lilo & Stitch were pretty much a homosexual couple.

[Wussycat]

Greg Weisman says Lexington from Gargoyles is gay but doesn't know it yet. He only went after Angela because he was confused.

[Baltofan]

Todd and Copper, Diego and Sid, Hammy and RJ, and Puss and Donkey :D

[veemonjosh]

And now we're getting into the offensive list threads... :shrug:

I'm serious, you guys make me want to quit Toon Zone completely.

[The Avatar]

In many cartoons, people like to make characters who aren't gay look gay for jokes. Take for example, The Simpsons. They've made gay jokes about Bart Simpson (Lisa the Beauty Queen and Homer's Phobia), Homer (The Principal Wore Pearls), Lenny and Carl (Do I really need to explain this), Martin (Bart of Darkness and There's Something About Marrying, as well as other episodes), etc. So just because a joke is made about a character that makes them look gay, doesn't mean they are.

[Wussycat]

Chutney and his turkey "roommate" from Father of the Pride. Also that rabbit couple.

[cyde]

Who, like Mr. Garrison, Mr. Slave, Butters, Smithers, Jake Spidermonkey, etc?Yup. And there's nuttin' funny 'bout guys dressing like gals an' kissin guys' mouths, especially in Bugs' case. Remember the dreaded hoof n' mouth disease?

[Silverstar]

On WB's Static Shock, Virgil Hawkins' buddy Richie Foley (Gear) was a composite of 2 characters from the Static comics: Frieda (who in the comics was the only one who knew that Virgil and Static were one and the same), and Rick Stone, who was gay. On the show, Richie's sexual preferences were simply never discussed, though in an interview, creator Dwayne McDuffie stated that "while it will probably never come up on the show, Richie on TV is gay as well."

A common pop-culture belief is that Jonny Quest's father, Dr. Benton Quest; and Race Bannon, were a gay couple. This was even depicted in an episode of Harvey Birdman: Attorney At Law. This conception of Race and Benton as lovers was so prevalent that Turner nervously created a wife for Benton (and a mother for Jonny) in one of their TV-movie attempts to revive the program.

Another pair whom Gen-X comedians like to label as gay lovers are Peanuts' Peppermint Patty and Marcie.

[HG Revolution]

And now we're getting into the offensive list threads... :shrug:

I don't really get how this thread is offensive.

[Sidewinder1984]

Didn't Keith Alcorn (Jimmy Neutron's head writer) state that Jimmy's principal is supposed to be gay?

Freedy on Scooby-Doo has also been accused of being gay by a few people. Though those jokes play a distant second fiddle to the boring old "Shaggy and/or Scooby are stoners" shtick.

[Gokou Ruri]

Didn't Keith Alcorn (Jimmy Neutron's head writer) state that Jimmy's principal is supposed to be gay?

Freedy on Scooby-Doo has also been accused of being gay by a few people. Though those jokes play a distant second fiddle to the boring old "Shaggy and/or Scooby are stoners" shtick. I always thought the joke was Freddy and Daphne go off to have "alone time" and Velma was the lesbian.

[Timmieboy]

Spongebob and other characters from SpongeBob SquarePants aren't gay.
SpongeBob is asexual, the creator said that and you also see it in episodes where he's naked.
And Patrick loved Princess Mindy in the movie.

[Dr.Pepper]

Him from Powerpuff Girls and the Red Guy from Cow & Chicken acted on the feminin side on many occasions

[Rolling Cloud]

MR. 2 from One Piece is gay!

[cyde]

Spongebob and other characters from SpongeBob SquarePants aren't gay.
SpongeBob is asexual, the creator said that and you also see it in episodes where he's naked.
And Patrick loved Princess Mindy in the movie.Wanna bet? he dresses in gal's stuff and even kissed Squiward, and rest can be found when Gary fouled the sponge up twixt he and Pat. And remember Rocka by bivalve?

[DarthGonzo]

And now we're getting into the offensive list threads... :shrug:

I'm serious, you guys make me want to quit Toon Zone completely.

Yeah...me too.

[Kazuya Prower]

There is a rumor that Spongebob likes Sandy.

[HG Revolution]

Wanna bet? he dresses in gal's stuff and even kissed Squiward, and rest can be found when Gary fouled the sponge up twixt he and Pat. And remember Rocka by bivalve?

Sponges don't have genders. They have sex by splitting their own cells.

As such, there is no way Spongebob can be gay, straight, bi, or anything like that.

[Gokou Ruri]

Uh, Spongebob has been confirmed to be asexual in the show. During the land creatures VS sea creatures episode he demonstrates how he reproduces by budding .

[Anthonynotes]

Not sure what the point of this thread is supposed to be, but to try to give it a direction as something I'd been wondering about:

What cartoons have openly (i.e. "out of the closet") gay characters who aren't stereotypes?

Seems like gay characters in animation tend toward either being openly gay but are stereotypical/subject to lame sex jokes (Mr. Slave, Ambiguously Gay Duo, etc.) or closeted (Smithers). Never mind that live-action shows seem to have (mostly) moved past such a stuck-in-the-80's/pre-"Ellen" treatment of gay and lesbian characters.

Comic books and strips seem to be quite different in this regard, as the list of gay characters in those media (including ones who aren't stereotypes) are a mile long...

[The Weed Of Cri]

Gay in the new Black in Hollywood. Token gays aren't popping up everywhere; it's just another way for Hollywood to prove that they are so much hipper than the rest of us.

I see a lot of entries in this thread seem to be a mixture of reading too much into a program's subtext, and wrongheaded assumptions (i.e. Bugs Bunny's crossdressing. Most gays aren't crossdressers and, believe it or not, most crossdressers aren't gay.)

Frankly, I've started to wonder about Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble in those Fruity/Cocoa Pebbles commercials. Two middle-aged men fighting over breakfast cereal? I'm getting a blip on my gaydar.

[veemonjosh]

I'm getting a blip on my gaydar.

That floating nebula from Futurama was from a universe that's big on show tunes.

[maczero]

The thread starter must have read my mind. I was going to post this exact same topic. Anyway, I think the more interesting question is "are cartoons ready for openly gay characters?" Would it promote tolerance or just cause more problems?


Didn't Keith Alcorn (Jimmy Neutron's head writer) state that Jimmy's principal is supposed to be gay?I knew it! Now if we could also get some confirmation from the creators of Lilo & Stitch regarding Pleakly because he's been setting off my gaydar ever since his first appearance.

[The Overlord]

The thread starter must have read my mind. I was going to post this exact same topic. Anyway, I think the more interesting question is "are cartoons ready for openly gay characters?" Would it promote tolerance or just cause more problems?

I knew it! Now if we could also get some confirmation from the creators of Lilo & Stitch regarding Pleakly because he's been setting off my gaydar ever since his first appearance.

You put gay characters in a kids cartoon and you set off the religious fundamentlists, they would think the shows would trying to turn their kids gay. The whole gay thing is less of a taboo in Japan, so they can have gay characters in kids cartoons there.


Gay in the new Black in Hollywood. Token gays aren't popping up everywhere; it's just another way for Hollywood to prove that they are so much hipper than the rest of us..

Wait that doesn't make sense, since gays in popular media is a taboo in the west and I thought breaking taboos is the "hip" thing, like when kids do outrageous things to tick off their parents. So the "hip" would be to put gay characters in, not avoid doing so. I think they just don't to tick off religious people, who would become enraged if you had gay characters in kids cartoons.



I see a lot of entries in this thread seem to be a mixture of reading too much into a program's subtext, and wrongheaded assumptions (i.e. Bugs Bunny's crossdressing. Most gays aren't crossdressers and, believe it or not, most crossdressers aren't gay.)

I thought crossdressers had gender confusion issues and I think most people are more uncomfortable with transgen than homosexuality. Of course you are reading way too much into Bugs Bunny if you see those issues there.

[Aldrius]

Would be nice to get a gay character who's normal...>_>;

Seriously. I can't think of ONE. Maybe Police Chief woman in Superman.

[tb4000]

The closest they come to it on Y7 rated cartoons is having a male character that acts extremely effeminate, making him like theatre and flowers and such. It's extremely stereotypical, but it's the closest they can get to it.

And although it didn't come about until later, Montoya from BTAS was a lesbian. Though you'd never know it, which is how it should be portrayed.

[Aldrius]

The closest was actually the woman police officer from S:TAS. Remember Apokalips...now! Part 1?

[Master Moron]

MR. 2 from One Piece is gay!

No way. If he was gay he would shave his legs and have a better wardrobe.


You put gay characters in a kids cartoon and you set off the religious fundamentlists, they would think the shows would trying to turn their kids gay. The whole gay thing is less of a taboo in Japan, so they can have gay characters in kids cartoons there.

You know, considering how many supposedly gay characters have been listed on this thread, I'm a bit curious why there hasn't been any controversy concernining these characters. It makes me wonder if these characters people are listing are actually portrayed as gay or they just act effeminately. I mean, does Him on Powerpuff Girls just act effeminate or is he actually attracted to other guys?

[The Overlord]

No way. If he was gay he would shave his legs and have a better wardrobe.



You know, considering how many supposedly gay characters have been listed on this thread, I'm a bit curious why there hasn't been any controversy concernining these characters. It makes me wonder if these characters people are listing are actually portrayed as gay or they just act effeminately. I mean, does Him on Powerpuff Girls just act effeminate or is he actually attracted to other guys?

Most the characters listed are not gay persay, there just questions about their hetrosexuality. I sure there people who may seem "gay" but it later turns out they are straight. These characters aren't confirmed as gay until they express romantic feelings for someone of the same gender on screen.

[Gokou Ruri]

You put gay characters in a kids cartoon and you set off the religious fundamentlists, they would think the shows would trying to turn their kids gay. The whole gay thing is less of a taboo in Japan, so they can have gay characters in kids cartoons there. Not really, Mr. 2 from One Piece was toned down a lot from the comic when he appeared in the cartoon. Instead of "okama way' he has a "ballerina way". Japan is more or less about the same when it comes to homosexuality. Most homosexuals in Japan still hide it. In fact, America is actually probably less prude about it, since you can find homosexuality in a ton of kids shows, but I can't really think of any children's shows in Japan with gay characters. (Mr. 2 being toned down, for example)

[Umino]

I mean, does Him on Powerpuff Girls just act effeminate or is he actually attracted to other guys?

Well he did lick the Proffesor's face. I don't think a straight guy would do that.

[tb4000]

Well, we all know what's up with James from Team Rocket. He's so far in the closet he's got a little cot back there near the shoe rack. :o

[maczero]

You know, considering how many supposedly gay characters have been listed on this thread, I'm a bit curious why there hasn't been any controversy concernining these characters. It makes me wonder if these characters people are listing are actually portrayed as gay or they just act effeminately. I mean, does Him on Powerpuff Girls just act effeminate or is he actually attracted to other guys?Ah but there's the safety net. Effeminate doesn't equal gay. Unless a character is actually depicted as being attracted to the same sex, there's really no argument. Creators can pretty much always get away with innuendo because it's open to the perception of the viewers.

[The Overlord]

Not really, Mr. 2 from One Piece was toned down a lot from the comic when he appeared in the cartoon. Instead of "okama way' he has a "ballerina way". Japan is more or less about the same when it comes to homosexuality. Most homosexuals in Japan still hide it. In fact, America is actually probably less prude about it, since you can find homosexuality in a ton of kids shows, but I can't really think of any children's shows in Japan with gay characters. (Mr. 2 being toned down, for example)

You are forgetting they had 2 lesbians in Sailor Moon. Maybe its a macho thing over there, two women together are "hot", but two men are "gross". The two lesbian characters seem more open than most of the "Gay" characters mentioned in American kids shows. Maybe they are okay with lesbians over there, but not gay men.

[Gokou Ruri]

You are forgetting they had 2 lesbians in Sailor Moon. Maybe its a macho thing over there, two women together are "hot", but two men are "gross". The two lesbian characters seem more open than most of the "Gay" characters mentioned in American kids shows. Maybe they are okay with lesbians over there, but not gay men. I never saw the later episodes of the Japanese version of Sailor Moon. Do they kiss or anything? (I'm assuming in the comic they do, since comics tend to have less censorship) Then again, Sailor Moon predates Evangelion (the show that neutered Japanese censorship) so leaving their homosexuality while removing Mr. 2's (which aired after Evangelion) would make sense.

But yeah, I assume a lot of guys would be more accepting of two girls than two guys. :sweat:

[Blackstar]

The closest was actually the woman police officer from S:TAS. Remember Apokalips...now! Part 1?

That would be Maggie Sawyer from the SCU (Special Crimes Unit). And yes, in the DC comics she was indeed a lesbian. Although it was never spoken out loud, the woman sitting by her hospital bed in "Apokalips...Now" was obviously her lover.

[Luna]

Another pair whom Gen-X comedians like to label as gay lovers are Peanuts' Peppermint Patty and Marcie....who probably never took the time to actually watch the cartoons/read the comics....If they did,they'd see it's really obvious both girls like Charlie Brown(I'm getting really sick of the "lesbians" joke about those two)...

The two characters I wonder about are Lilo and Stitch's Jumba and Pleakley....they sorta seem like a couple at times(though it's entirely possible I'm reading way too much into it,esp. considering it's a Disney series....)

[The Overlord]

I never saw the later episodes of the Japanese version of Sailor Moon. Do they kiss or anything? (I'm assuming in the comic they do, since comics tend to have less censorship) Then again, Sailor Moon predates Evangelion (the show that neutered Japanese censorship) so leaving their homosexuality while removing Mr. 2's (which aired after Evangelion) would make sense.

But yeah, I assume a lot of guys would be more accepting of two girls than two guys. :sweat:

I have not seen the episodes either, all I know is what I hear online. I think they only kissed in the manga, but they did express their feelings for eachother in the anime, which makes them fully outed gay characters. Again this may be because they are women, they get a pass, while gay men may still be a taboo (Aka: frat boy logic.) Actually I think this proves my point:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuri_%28animation%29 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuri_%28animation%29)

[Zeonic Freak]

I know Daley Wong in Bubblegum Crisis was pretty much homo to Leon such as "Come one Leon, i know a great hotel to go to" and a few other stuff...

[Blackstar]

What about that one schoolgirl with the glasses on Bleach? She's clearly attracted to Orahime (sp?). She's flirted with her openly. No one has ever called her a lesbian, but it's obvious that she wants to be more than just friends with her.

[Dudley]

Whether James is gay or effeminate is debatable. He's as questionable as Jessie is. I haven't watched every episode but I've never seem either of them being attracted to the opposite gender.

Now Harley is gay. And I think Tucker is too.

[veemonjosh]

What about that one schoolgirl with the glasses on Bleach? She's clearly attracted to Orahime (sp?). She's flirted with her openly. No one has ever called her a lesbian, but it's obvious that she wants to be more than just friends with her.

Yeah, she's a lesbian.

[Umino]

Then again, Sailor Moon predates Evangelion (the show that neutered Japanese censorship) so leaving their homosexuality while removing Mr. 2's (which aired after Evangelion) would make sense.

An earlier example would be Alphonne-sensei from Cutie Honey. A very hairy woman who was constantly flirting with Honey, and groping herself. Pretty stereotypical! :P

(in the manga all of Honey's classmates were gay, and wanted her. Badly.)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/lovelywarriorch/Episode%201/1_12.jpg

Another even earlier example could be Fudo Akira and Asuka Ryo from Go Nagai's Devilman manga.

[Patchwork]

The two characters I wonder about are Lilo and Stitch's Jumba and Pleakley....they sorta seem like a couple at times(though it's entirely possible I'm reading way too much into it,esp. considering it's a Disney series....)

I'm almost positive they more or less are. I recall it being said once that Pleakly is based on a gay employee that worked on the movie.

[Jave]

In Card Captor Sakura, Touya was definitely gay. Even if it's never stated out loud, you have to be blind not to notice if you've seen the original. Seriously.

[Rolling Cloud]

Whether James is gay or effeminate is debatable. He's as questionable as Jessie is. I haven't watched every episode but I've never seem either of them being attracted to the opposite gender.

Now Harley is gay. And I think Tucker is too.

James is not gay at all!!!

Harley is definitely gay and so is Nozomi / Zoey from D/P.

[cyde]

I thought crossdressers had gender confusion issues and I think most people are more uncomfortable with transgen than homosexuality. Of course you are reading way too much into Bugs Bunny if you see those issues there.Don't underestimate the almighty gaydar.

[The Myst]

More like bi-curious.

No he's not. He doesn't even know what bi-curious means. He was told he was bi-curious by his dad (Who actually is gay) and that Christian camp that tried to "ungay" him.


Frankly, I've started to wonder about Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble in those Fruity/Cocoa Pebbles commercials. Two middle-aged men fighting over breakfast cereal? I'm getting a blip on my gaydar.

I literally laughed out loud at this. I mean, a lot of times I'll just say "lol" to something I think is cute or kinda clever. But this was met with uproarious laughter.

Anyway...

The two neighbors on American Dad (Don't remember their names)
Bruce, Jasper, Jasper's Puerto Rican partner, and Herbert on Family Guy
Yogi Bear on Harvey Birdman (And Phil Ken Sebben has been implied to be bisexual)
That one member of the Band Of Seven on Inuyasha (Don't remember the name)

Finally, I was offended by a few posts in this topic but I won't name which ones. Overall though, it's been an all right topic. I don't think discussion of homosexuality is really offensive. The only offensive posts I saw were some that seemed... ignorant.

[cyde]

On WB's Static Shock, Virgil Hawkins' buddy Richie Foley (Gear) was a composite of 2 characters from the Static comics: Frieda (who in the comics was the only one who knew that Virgil and Static were one and the same), and Rick Stone, who was gay. On the show, Richie's sexual preferences were simply never discussed, though in an interview, creator Dwayne McDuffie stated that "while it will probably never come up on the show, Richie on TV is gay as well."

A common pop-culture belief is that Jonny Quest's father, Dr. Benton Quest; and Race Bannon, were a gay couple. This was even depicted in an episode of Harvey Birdman: Attorney At Law. This conception of Race and Benton as lovers was so prevalent that Turner nervously created a wife for Benton (and a mother for Jonny) in one of their TV-movie attempts to revive the program.

Another pair whom Gen-X comedians like to label as gay lovers are Peanuts' Peppermint Patty and Marcie.
I thought Johnny's real mom died before the show's inception.

[Dee]

Don't underestimate the almighty gaydar.


What the heck are you talking about? You are honestly reading way too deep into most of this.

List threads are becoming way too common on here, and in this case, there are some insensitive comments being posted.

I'm closing this.