LGBTQ themes in Western animation

Gender has always been a component of animation, with scholars Harry Benshoff and Sean Griffin writing that animation has always "hint[ed] at the performative nature of gender."{{cite book|last1=Harry Benshoff|last2=Sean Griffin|title=Queer Images: A History of Gay and Lesbian Film in America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DTx7AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA74|access-date=January 1, 2015|date=October 13, 2005|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-0-7425-6857-0|pages=74–}} They specifically cite the example of Bugs Bunny wearing a wig and a dress, acting as a female rabbit in drag. Some argued that the Walt Disney Company played with gender stereotypes in the past. Griffin stated that Disney's cartoon Ferdinand the Bull (1939) is "not necessarily gay, but it's definitely queer". The short film depicts a "sleepy eyed bull who doesn't conform to expectations of masculinity". Nico Lang of Harper's Bazaar said Disney's 1941 film The Reluctant Dragon "is extremely queer, even if it's not necessarily gay". He also noted the inclusion of a gay couple (two male antelopes) in Zootopia. Lang wrote, "in 1937, a group of lesbians in Chicago threw a series of bashes known as 'Mickey Mouse's parties.' These gatherings for like-minded ladies were a reference to the fact that 'Mickey Mouse' was a common term at the time for gay men", according to Griffin. Animation and popular culture scholar Jo Johnson would later describe Bugs Bunny as challenging "signifiers of traditional masculinity". Johnson would also argue that Looney Tunes pulled audiences challenges "the conventional notion of anatomy and gender."{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 247-248}} He also recounted that Bugs Bunny appeared in drag on "At least 45 separate occasions," and his gender ambiguity fluxes, showing masculinity and femininity at different times, even though he is clearly heterosexual.{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 257-258}} Johnson described shorts like "What's Opera, Doc?" as one of the most "subversive" because Bugs dresses as a woman through the majority of the animated short.{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 261-262}} Another scholar said that Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck kissed male enemies so they could "humiliate and annoy them."{{Sfn | Capsuto | 2001 | p = 330}}

It would later be stated that with Bugs Bunny you could have "a rabbit kiss a man, and that wouldn't be considered this alarming thing" that would be censored or cut, and it was fine for Bugs Bunny to dress in drag because it was "meant as a form of comedy."{{cite podcast |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hollywood-remixed-billions-asia-kate-dillon-1235012146/ |title='Hollywood Remixed': 'Billions' Star Asia Kate Dillon on How Non-Binary Representation Changes Lives |website=The Hollywood Reporter |host=Rebecca Sun |date=September 11, 2021 |time= |access-date=September 12, 2021}} Even so, the Hays Code was still enforced in the United States, which banned curse words, forbid depiction of interracial relationships, and had a "puritanical view of sex," and was replaced by a film rating system in 1968, with many of its "arbitrary moral guidelines" persisting for decades.{{cite web |last1=Moen |first1=Matt |title=In Conversation: Rebecca Sugar and Noelle Stevenson |url=https://www.papermag.com/rebecca-sugar-noelle-stevenson-2646446747.html |website=Paper Magazine |access-date=August 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809164913/https://www.papermag.com/rebecca-sugar-noelle-stevenson-2646446747.html |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |date=August 5, 2020 |url-status=live}} One scholar, Jo Johnson, argued that Jerry in the Tom & Jerry cartoons had an androgynous design, even if feminized, and noted a possible homoerotic subtext between Jerry and Tom, especially when there is cross-dressing,{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 249, 251}} like the notable 1945 short "Flirty Birdy" where the ending shows the Eagle marries Tom while in drag. Johnson pointed to the 1966 short "Jerry-Go-Round", by Chuck Jones, as having a coded same-sex relationship between Jerry, who was gendered by Jones as female, and a female elephant who wears a pink tutu. She argued that the episode's ending could be read as a "prophetic depiction of Gay Pride."{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 256-277}} Cade M. Olmstead, an interdisciplinary philosophy scholar, built upon Johnson's work. He argued that Tom and Jerry "subverts normalized gender and sexuality structures" through theatrical play and performance, transgressing the normal construction of gender.{{cite web |url=https://scholarworks.uni.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=ugswork |title=Tom and Jerry: Performative Queerness in Action |last=Olmstead |first=Cade M. |date=2018 |website=Undergraduate Student Work |publisher=University of Northern Iowa |access-date=September 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318122855/https://scholarworks.uni.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=ugswork |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |pages=1–8 |url-status=live}}

Despite the queer coding in "Bugs Bunny" and "Tom & Jerry" cartoons, as scholars Deborah A. Fisher, Douglas L. Hill, Joel W. Grube, and Enid L. Gruber noted, before 1970, almost no gay characters were on television, and they remained relatively absent "until the 1990s."{{cite journal |last1=Fisher |first1=Deborah A. |last2=Hill |first2=Douglas L. |last3=Grube |first3=Joel W. |last4=Gruber |first4=Enid L. |date=2007 |title=Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Content on Television: A Quantitative Analysis Across Two Seasons |journal=Journal of Homosexuality |volume=52 |issue=3–4 |pages=167–168 |doi=10.1300/J082v52n03_08 |pmid=17594976 |pmc=2000838 }} Erika Scheimer, daughter of Filmation founder Lou Scheimer, was the Assistant Recording Director for She-Ra: Princess of Power. She voiced various characters and felt comfortable working as a lesbian at Filmation, while shaping "one of the biggest animated gay icons of all time": She-Ra.{{cite web |last1=Peeples |first1=Jase |title=Erika Scheimer and the Queer Appeal of She-Ra |url=http://www.gay.net/tv/2011/10/12/erika-scheimer-and-legacy-she-ra |website=gay.net |access-date=August 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402222401/http://www.gay.net/tv/2011/10/12/erika-scheimer-and-legacy-she-ra |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |date=October 21, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} In later years, animation producer ND Stevenson, the showrunner of the reboot series, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, would argue that "the original She-Ra was incredibly gay for a show made in 1987" and the crew who worked on the reboot series tried to incorporate the same themes.{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Jocelyn |title='Anyone can be a hero': She-Ra creator Noelle Stevenson on LGBT+ representation in animation |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2021-02-25/anyone-can-be-a-hero-she-ra-creator-noelle-stevenson-on-lgbt-representation-in-animation |website=ITV |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210225212807/https://www.itv.com/news/2021-02-25/anyone-can-be-a-hero-she-ra-creator-noelle-stevenson-on-lgbt-representation-in-animation |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |date=February 25, 2021 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Ursula, the octopus-inspired sea creature from the 1989 film, The Little Mermaid, was inspired by Divine, an American actor, singer and drag queen.{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Nico |date=March 31, 2017 |title=Disney's Long, Complicated History with Queer Characters |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/news/a21506/disney-gay-lgbt-characters-history/ |access-date=April 26, 2023 |website=Harper's Bazaar |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213123314/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/news/a21506/disney-gay-lgbt-characters-history/ |archive-date=December 13, 2022 }}{{Cite web |title=Fun fact: Ursula is based on the iconic drag queen Divine |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/pride/fast-lane/article/2016/11/09/fun-fact-ursula-based-iconic-drag-queen-divine |access-date=April 20, 2022 |website=Special Broadcasting Service |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326102352/https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/pride/fast-lane/article/2016/11/09/fun-fact-ursula-based-iconic-drag-queen-divine |archive-date=March 26, 2023 }}{{Cite web |last=Dart |first=Chris |title=Read This: How Divine inspired Ursula The Sea Witch |url=https://www.avclub.com/read-this-how-divine-inspired-ursula-the-sea-witch-1798243255 |access-date=April 20, 2022 |website=The A.V. Club |date=January 19, 2016 |language=en-us |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308181044/https://www.avclub.com/read-this-how-divine-inspired-ursula-the-sea-witch-1798243255 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 }} Queer communities welcomed "her with open arms" despite that fact she was a villain,{{cite web|last1=Snyder|first1=Chris|last2=Desiderio|first2=Kyle|url=https://www.insider.com/the-evolution-of-queer-characters-in-kids-animated-tv-shows-2021-6|title=The evolution of queer characters in children's animation|website=Insider|date=June 29, 2021|access-date=July 1, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210701050407/https://www.insider.com/the-evolution-of-queer-characters-in-kids-animated-tv-shows-2021-6|archive-date=July 1, 2021|url-status=live}} and her character was later praised by director John Waters.{{cite magazine| url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1540535,00.html |last=Willman |first=Chris |magazine=Entertainment Weekly|title=DVD Review: The Little Mermaid |date=July 31, 2012 |access-date=September 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315024435/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1540535,00.html|archive-date=March 15, 2009}} John Musker, a director of Moana, and co-director of The Little Mermaid, noted that Howard Ashman, a writer of the film, knew Devine and had one of the principal animators, Rob Menkoff, do drawings based on Devine. The other director of Moana (and a co-director of The Little Mermaid), Ron Clements, stated that it "just fit the character," while Musker called Ursula a "little mix of Divine and Joan Collins"{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Stephanie Marie|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/pride/fast-lane/article/2016/11/09/fun-fact-ursula-based-iconic-drag-queen-divine|title=Fun fact: Ursula is based on the iconic drag queen Divine|website=SBS|date=November 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119102330/https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/pride/fast-lane/article/2016/11/09/fun-fact-ursula-based-iconic-drag-queen-divine|archive-date=January 19, 2021|access-date=January 19, 2021|url-status=live}} and Jeffrey Schwarz described the film as "pretty queer".{{cite web|last1=Pasulka|first1=Nicole|last2=Ferree|first2=Brian|url=https://hazlitt.net/longreads/unearthing-sea-witch|title=Unearthing the Sea Witch|website=Hazlitt|date=January 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305021923/https://hazlitt.net/longreads/unearthing-sea-witch|archive-date=March 5, 2021|url-status=live}}

Ashman was also, reportedly, a "big fan" of John Waters, and after the film, he got sick, as he was HIV positive, and he died from AIDS before he could accept the Academy Award for the music selection of Beauty and the Beast. Filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz, who did a documentary on Divine, thought the film was pretty queer, while Sarah Ashman Gillespie, Ashman's sister, called the film "totally subversive." It was also revealed that earlier designs of Ursula were inspired by the singer Patti LaBelle, with Musker saying that in the early development art for the character, and Menkoff adding that they were "trying to get some of Divine's big, campy, overweight diva" into the design, which was incorporated into the final character.{{cite web|last1=Acuna|first1=Kirsten|url=https://www.insider.com/the-little-mermaid-ursula-concept-art-2019-7|title=How 'The Lion King' codirector, a drag queen, and one of Disney's greatest animators helped bring 'The Little Mermaid' villain to life|website=Insider|date=July 13, 2019|access-date=September 25, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210926035538/https://www.insider.com/the-little-mermaid-ursula-concept-art-2019-7|archive-date=September 26, 2021|url-status=live}} She was also described as "Mae West of the deep sea" and the first plus-size icon in a Disney film.{{cite web|last=Lubitz|first=Rachel|url=https://www.mic.com/articles/146188/the-untold-story-of-ursula-disney-s-first-and-only-plus-size-style-icon|title=The Untold Story of Ursula, Disney's First (and Only) Plus-Size Style Icon|website=Mic|date=June 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118093756/https://www.mic.com/articles/146188/the-untold-story-of-ursula-disney-s-first-and-only-plus-size-style-icon|archive-date=January 18, 2021|url-status=live}} Akash Nikolas, a former editor for Zap2It, wrote, in a piece for The Atlantic, pointed to queer subtext and themes in The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, Dumbo, Pinocchio, Aladdin, and Mulan, described Disney films as "both traditional and subversive," echoed by Hugh Ryan in Vice.{{cite web|last=Nikolas|first=Akash|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/04/its-not-just-frozen-disney-has-always-been-subtly-pro-gay/361060/|title=It's Not Just Frozen: Most Disney Movies Are Pro-Gay|website=The Atlantic |date=April 23, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126165204/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/04/its-not-just-frozen-disney-has-always-been-subtly-pro-gay/361060/|archive-date=January 26, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Ryan|first=Hugh|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/5g9e4d/the-number-of-gay-animated-villains-will-surprise-you-456|title=Why So Many Disney Villains Sound 'Gay'|date=July 14, 2015|website=Vice|access-date=September 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504114957/https://www.vice.com/en/article/5g9e4d/the-number-of-gay-animated-villains-will-surprise-you-456|archive-date=May 4, 2021|url-status=live}} During this decade, characters on Fox and Comedy Central shows comprised most of the LGBTQ characters on television. Shows like The Simpsons and South Park especially would be influential on other adult animations in the years to come. Continuing from the late 1980s, villains in Disney films which were queer coded appeared.

Some argued that cable television, which began to pick up in the 1990s, "opened the door for more representation" even though various levels of approvals remained. Animation and popular culture scholar Jo Johnson argued that 1990s animated sitcoms enabled queer characters to emerge from, in his words, its "relegated position...and drop an anvil on the head of heteronormativity."{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 247-248}} She further argued that shows such as The Simpsons, Family Guy, and King of the Hill subverted the nuclear family model and the "stereotypical gender roles assigned to it." He also said that The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and South Park satirized American mores and allowed homosexual characters as part of the family.{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 252, 264-265}} Other scholars argued that in the 1990s, animators were determined to remind audiences watching that some cartoons were not for children, with "gay content" seen as a way to demonstrate a show is hip or sophisticated, with a running gag in The Critic that the boss of the title character believes the protagonist is gay. As such, The Critic and The Tick were said to be two animated shows with gay characters and gay references.{{Sfn | Capsuto | 2001 | p = 313, 370}} The Simpsons would be noted as having "gay themes and characters" in various episodes.{{Sfn | Gross | 2001 | p = 122-123}}

The 2000s brought with it Queer Duck, the first animated TV series on U.S. television which featured homosexuality as a major theme,{{Cite web |last1=Meisler |first1=Andy |title=Television/Radio; 'Queer Duck,' a Web-Footed Survivor, Migrates to TV |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/07/arts/television-radio-queer-duck-a-web-footed-survivor-migrates-to-tv.html |website=New York Times |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325230440/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/07/arts/television-radio-queer-duck-a-web-footed-survivor-migrates-to-tv.html |archive-date=March 25, 2020 |date=April 7, 2002 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} an alien named Roger in American Dad who had an ambiguous sexuality,{{cite web |last1=Kurland |first1=Daniel |title=American Dad: LGBSteve Review |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/american-dad-lgbsteve-review/ |website=Den of Geek|access-date=March 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325225656/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/american-dad-lgbsteve-review/ |archive-date=March 25, 2020 |date=February 24, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} and an assortment of other shows. There was under-representation of gay characters through the Fall 2000 television season for all broadcast shows, according to scholars, with trend continuing until at least 2003.{{Sfn | Cook | 2018 | p = 11-12}} It would not be until 2005 that GLAAD would begin their annual "Where We Are on TV Report"{{Sfn | Cook | 2018 | p = 6}} starting its continuing effort to compile statistics on characters in the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized groups.{{Sfn | GLAAD | 2009 | p = 2}} GLAAD bemoaned the lack of representation. They noted in the regular 2006–2007 season, LGBTQ+ characters only comprised 1.3% of all regular characters on major broadcast networks (NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, The CW, and UPN).{{Sfn | GLAAD | 2006 | p = 1}} Reports in 2008 and 2009 mentioned LGBTQ+ characters in animated comedies like The Simpsons and American Dad.{{Sfn | GLAAD | 2007 | p = 3}} and other prime-time programming such as Sit Down, Shut Up, The Goode Family, Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World, and Drawn Together, while having reservations about existing LGBTQ+ characters on television.{{Sfn | GLAAD | 2008 | p = 18}} In a 2009 report, GLAAD criticized the lack of Black LGBTQ characters as regular characters on television networks, and stated that most animated LGBT characters were on FOX, lamenting that while South Park historically had LGBT characters and storylines, it could be "hit or miss" like Family Guy.{{Sfn |GLAAD | 2009 | p = 3, 16}}

In 2010, animation and popular culture scholar Jo Johnson argued that the medium of animation itself is being used to "represent prime-time sexuality and gender in a more progressive way than a live-action show." She went on to say that progress made by animated shows has allowed audiences to laugh with, rather than at, queer characters.{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 270}} The 2010s were a decade which would change LGBT representation in animation going forward in a significant way. This included series such as The Legend of Korra,{{cite magazine|last1=Robinson|first1=Joanna|title=How a Nickelodeon Cartoon Became One of the Most Powerful, Subversive Shows of 2014|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/2014/12/korra-series-finale-recap-gay-asami|access-date=December 19, 2014|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=December 19, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219230600/http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/2014/12/korra-series-finale-recap-gay-asami|archive-date=December 19, 2014|df=mdy-all}} Steven Universe, Adventure Time,{{cite web |last1=Fleener |first1=S.E. |title=The Awesome and Unexpected Queering of Adventure Time |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-awesome-and-unexpected-queering-of-adventure-time |website=Syfy |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617202815/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-awesome-and-unexpected-queering-of-adventure-time |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |date=June 17, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} She-Ra and the Princesses of Power,{{cite web |last1=Asher-Perrin |first1=Emmet |title=She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is Freaking Fabulous |url=https://www.tor.com/2018/11/16/she-ra-and-the-princesses-of-power-is-freaking-fabulous/ |website=tor.com |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212002506/https://www.tor.com/2018/11/16/she-ra-and-the-princesses-of-power-is-freaking-fabulous/ |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |date=November 16, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Arthur,{{Cite web |title=Sebastian Gorka Is Worried That Mr. Ratburn's Gay Wedding Will Destroy Society |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/7xgk7e/sebastian-gorka-is-worried-that-mr-ratburns-gay-wedding-will-destroy-society |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728073304/https://www.vice.com/en/article/7xgk7e/sebastian-gorka-is-worried-that-mr-ratburns-gay-wedding-will-destroy-society |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Vice.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Fetters |first1=Ashley |last2=Escobar |first2=Natalie |date=May 14, 2019 |title=How a Gay Character on 'Arthur' Reflects Changing Norms in the U.S. |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/05/mr-ratburns-gay-wedding-on-arthur-was-quietly-profound/589462/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308122332/https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/05/mr-ratburns-gay-wedding-on-arthur-was-quietly-profound/589462/ |archive-date=March 8, 2020 |access-date=April 20, 2022 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}} and Bojack Horseman.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/26/18028908/glaad-report-television-tv-2018-lgbtq-diversity-gay-bisexual-trans-media-representation|work=The Verge|title=2018 saw record growth in LGBTQ roles on television|last=Liao|first=Shannon|date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606083553/https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/26/18028908/glaad-report-television-tv-2018-lgbtq-diversity-gay-bisexual-trans-media-representation|archive-date=June 6, 2020|url-status=live}}

GLAAD would report on trends with LGBTQ+ representation during this period. In 2014, the organization would comment that children's programming had been "slow to reflect the diversity its audience is experiencing in its daily life."{{Sfn | GLAAD | 2014 | p = 23}} Later, they would report that in the 2016-2017 broadcast season, the highest number of LGBTQ characters they had recorded yet appeared, and praised the increase of such characters on streaming services the next year.{{cite web |last1=Glass |first1=Joe |title=LGBT characters on TV will make up a larger percentage than ever, study finds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/nov/03/lgbt-characters-tv-largest-percent-glaad-study |website=The Guardian |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803074638/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/nov/03/lgbt-characters-tv-largest-percent-glaad-study |archive-date=August 3, 2019 |date=November 3, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{Sfn | GLAAD | 2016 | p = 5, 10}} The organization later praised services such as Netflix,{{Sfn | GLAAD | 2017 | p = 10}} CW Seed,{{Sfn | GLAAD | 2017 | p = 7}} Amazon, and Hulu for increasing LGBTQ representation, the latter three in "daytime kids and family television."{{Sfn | GLAAD | 2018 | p = 5}}{{Sfn | GLAAD | 2019 | p = 5, 6, 12}} Insider later noted that according to their database of LGBTQ characters in children's animations, there was a "more than 200% spike in queer and gender-minority characters in children's animated TV shows" between 2017 and 2019 In July 2019, Leanne Italie, in an article for Associated Press, argued that LGBTQ diversity on children's television was growing.{{cite web |last1=Italie |first1=Leanne |title=Bandwagon builds for LGBTQ diversity on children's TV |url=https://apnews.com/1d447480a16b4fdcb428cc5f99ec6603 |website=Associated Press |access-date=March 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211234053/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/bandwagon-builds-lgbtq-diversity-children-s-tv-n1037146 |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |date=July 31, 2019 |url-status=live}} Others were more critical, calling for more LGBTQ animation{{cite web |last1=Mak |first1=Philip |title=In a Heartbeat: Why we need more LGBTQ animation. |url=https://blog.toonboom.com/in-a-heartbeat-why-we-need-more-lgbtq-animation |website=Toon Boom |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405025918/https://blog.toonboom.com/in-a-heartbeat-why-we-need-more-lgbtq-animation |archive-date=April 5, 2020 |date=June 21, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{Sfn | Cook | 2018 | p = 7}} and reported that LGBTQ+ characters in animated television remained somewhat rare.{{cite web |last1=Segal |first1=Cynthia |title=7 American Kids' Cartoons That Treat Their LGBTQ Characters With Respect |url=https://dotandline.net/lgbtq-american-cartoons-6b1557a4c846/ |website=The Dot and Line |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327045355/https://dotandline.net/lgbtq-american-cartoons-6b1557a4c846/ |archive-date=March 27, 2020 |date=June 30, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |last1=Sizer |first1=Artistaeus |title=We Need To Talk About LGBT Representation, Apparently |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/we-need-to-talk-about-lgbt-representation-apparently_b_5a3d4dede4b06cd2bd03da68 |website=HuffPost |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419214106/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/we-need-to-talk-about-lgbt-representation-apparently_b_5a3d4dede4b06cd2bd03da68 |archive-date=April 19, 2020 |date=June 30, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

Building on the progress in the 2010s, the 2020s held the promise of changing LGBT representation in animation in a significant way, especially when it came to Western animation. In 2020, the Steven Universe franchise came to an end with the final episodes of Steven Universe Future,{{cite web |last1=Baron |first1=Reuben |title=It's Over, Isn't It?: Rebecca Sugar on the End of Steven Universe |url=https://www.cbr.com/rebecca-sugar-interview-on-the-end-of-steven-universe/ |website=CBR |access-date=April 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329181307/https://www.cbr.com/rebecca-sugar-interview-on-the-end-of-steven-universe/ |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |date=March 27, 2020 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} as did She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.{{cite web |last1=Opie |first1=David |title=She-Ra's season 5 finale just changed TV forever with a groundbreaking moment |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a32459679/she-ra-season-5-finale-lgbtq-queer-kiss/ |magazine=Digital Spy |access-date=May 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516175744/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a32459679/she-ra-season-5-finale-lgbtq-queer-kiss/ |archive-date=May 16, 2020 |date=May 15, 2020 |url-status=live}} The 2020s also included series with LGBTQ characters, such as The Hollow,{{cite web |last1=Trumbore |first1=Dave |title='The Hollow' Season 2 Review: Netflix's Underrated Animated Series Levels Up |url=https://collider.com/the-hollow-season-2-netflix-review/ |website=Collider |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508223553/https://collider.com/the-hollow-season-2-netflix-review/ |archive-date=May 8, 2020 |date=May 8, 2020 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} DuckTales,{{cite web |last1=Morrison |first1=Matt |title=DuckTales Season 3 Reveals Violet Has Two Dads |url=https://screenrant.com/ducktales-season-3-violet-two-dads/ |website=Screen Rant |access-date=April 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410173852/https://screenrant.com/ducktales-season-3-violet-two-dads/ |archive-date=April 10, 2020 |date=April 4, 2020 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Harley Quinn,{{cite web |last1=Knight |first1=Rosie |title=Harley Quinn Season 2 Episode 7 Review: There's No Place to Go But Down |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/harley-quinn-season-2-episode-7-review-theres-no-place-to-go-but-down/ |website=Den of Geek |access-date=May 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516185219/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/harley-quinn-season-2-episode-7-review-theres-no-place-to-go-but-down/ |archive-date=May 16, 2020 |date=May 15, 2020 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} and Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts.{{cite web |last1=Duffy |first1=Nick |title=Netflix's new animated series Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts features a beautiful coming out moment |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/01/16/netflixs-new-animated-series-kipo-and-the-age-of-wonderbeasts-beautiful-coming-out-moment/ |website=PinkNews |access-date=April 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117144432/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/01/16/netflixs-new-animated-series-kipo-and-the-age-of-wonderbeasts-beautiful-coming-out-moment/ |archive-date=January 17, 2020 |date=January 16, 2020 |url-status=live}} In their 2020–2021 GLAAD report praised representation in DuckTales, The Owl House, The Loud House, and Harley Quinn. The organization also pointed to representation in Doom Patrol, Young Justice, and Adventure Time: Distant Lands.{{cite report |date=January 2021 |title=Where We Are on TV: 2020–2021 |url=https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/GLAAD%20-%20202021%20WHERE%20WE%20ARE%20ON%20TV.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115060919/https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/GLAAD%20-%20202021%20WHERE%20WE%20ARE%20ON%20TV.pdf |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=January 20, 2021 |pages=15, 40 }} In August 2021, Insider found that in their analysis of 259 LGBTQ cartoon characters, stretching back to the 1980s, that "only 10 out of just 70 identified people of color...had leading roles" and a significant proportion lacked "explicit racial specificity."{{cite web|last1=White|first1=Abbey|last2=Chik|first2=Kalai|url=https://www.insider.com/lgbtq-creatives-of-color-discrimination-kids-animation-cartoons-2021-8|title=LGBTQ characters of color are making animation history — but creatives of color can't escape the industry's discriminatory past|website=Insider|date=August 31, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210831153307/https://www.insider.com/lgbtq-creatives-of-color-discrimination-kids-animation-cartoons-2021-8|archive-date=August 31, 2021|url-status=live}} In September 2021, Insider reporter Abbey White, said that children's animation is "arguably at the forefront of our conversations about non-binary identity and gender non-conforming identities," breaking down gender binaries reinforced in the media, and noted the animated series which are stepping up.

From the 1930s to 1950s, animation in the U.S. was produced under the Hays Code, followed by the Motion Picture Association of America's film rating system, beginning in November 1968,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-2Y1AAAAIBAJ&pg=5106%2C7197294 |work=Deseret News |location=(Salt Lake City, Utah) |agency=(The Moviegoer) |title=Questionable ratings to gain patronge |date=October 31, 1968|page=10A}} which was used to help parents decide what films are appropriate for their children, and is administered by the Classification & Ratings Administration (CARA), a MPAA (and later MPA) independent division.{{cite web |title=Classification and Rating Rules |date=January 1, 2010 |publisher=Classification and Rating Administration |pages=[https://www.filmratings.com/content/downloads/rating_rules.pdf#page=8 6]–8 |url=https://www.filmratings.com/content/downloads/rating_rules.pdf |access-date=November 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204235546/http://filmratings.com/downloads/rating_rules.pdf |archive-date=December 4, 2014 |url-status=live}} Many television networks also had Broadcast Standards and Practices departments which were (and are) responsible for the moral, ethical, and legal implications of the program that the network airs.

This led to subtextual depictions of LGBTQ+ characters. For example, Greg Weisman, creator of Gargoyles, which was syndicated for most of its run, between 1994 and 1996, and then would air on ABC for the last two years of its broadcast, from 1996 to 1997, said that he was not allowed to have LGBTQ representation in the series due to fear of backlash, saying that ABC would "freak out" over responses and said they were "scared of parental response." He previously confirmed characters as within the LGBTQ+ community, including Lexington as gay, in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/07/17/interview-greg-weisman-talks-gargoyles/ |title=Interview: Greg Weisman Talks 'Gargoyles' |publisher=Comicmix.com |date=July 17, 2008|access-date=June 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130181622/https://www.comicmix.com/2008/07/17/interview-greg-weisman-talks-gargoyles/|archive-date=January 30, 2020}} Renee Montoya, a police officer who first appeared in Batman: The Animated Series, was later revealed to be a lesbian, which was never stated in BTAS, but the DCAU version of Montoya was eventually confirmed to be a lesbian in Batman: The Adventures Continue Season II #4, when in where she is in a relationship with another woman named Gloria Navarro.{{cite web |last1=Herbison |first1=Andrew |title=Batman Gives a DCEU Hero a New Relationship in the Animated Series' World |url=https://www.cbr.com/batman-renee-montoya-relationship-dcau/|website=CBR |access-date=October 19, 2024 |date=September 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220161257/https://www.cbr.com/batman-renee-montoya-relationship-dcau/|archive-date=February 20, 2025|url-status=live}} Renee Montoya also appeared in The New Batman Adventures and Gotham Girls.

Some claimed that Silver Spooner, the sidekick to Barbequor, appeared in a May 1996 episode of Dexter's Laboratory titled "Dial M for Monkey: Barbequor," was a stereotype of gay men,{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Evans |date=August 14, 2010 |title=Dial M for Monkey – The Banned Episode |url=http://gawker.com/5612599/dial-m-for-monkey---the-banned-episode |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703131950/http://gawker.com/5612599/dial-m-for-monkey---the-banned-episode |archive-date=July 3, 2015 |access-date=August 10, 2013 |publisher=Gawker}}{{Cite web |last=Belonksy |first=Andrew |date=June 12, 2008 |title=Banned "Anti-Gay" Toon Exhumed! |url=https://www.queerty.com/banned-anti-gay-toon-exhumed-20080612 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828085858/https://www.queerty.com/banned-anti-gay-toon-exhumed-20080612 |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |access-date=August 10, 2013 |publisher=Queerty}} others said it had more to do with copyright infringement as the estate of Jack Kirby threatened to sue Cartoon Network over the parody character.{{cite web|url=https://www.pride.com/tv/2020/7/23/ode-silver-spooner-gayest-supervillian-ever-banned-tv|title=An Ode to Silver Spooner, the Gayest Supervillian [sic] Ever Banned From TV|last=Henderson|first=Taylor|work=Pride.com|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=June 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613072641/https://www.pride.com/tv/2020/7/23/ode-silver-spooner-gayest-supervillian-ever-banned-tv|archive-date=June 13, 2021}} In addition, Blazing Dragons (1996-1998), a series created by Terry Jones and Gavin Scott, features Sir Blaze, a flamboyant and effeminate character. His implicit homosexuality was censored when the series aired on Toon Disney in the United States.{{cite web|url=https://animatedviews.com/2020/the-blazing-dragons-of-monty-pythons-terry-jones/|title=The Blazing Dragons of Monty Python's Terry Jones|last=Short|first=Dan|date=February 28, 2020|website=Animated Views|access-date=June 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616151626/https://animatedviews.com/2020/the-blazing-dragons-of-monty-pythons-terry-jones/|archive-date=June 16, 2020|url-status=live}} Others argued that Buttercup, in the April 7, 1999 episode of The Powerpuff Girls, titled "The Rowdyruff Boys", does not enjoy the experience and is the "possible lesbian" of the Powerpuff Girls.{{cite journal |last1=Hager |first1=Lisa |date=2008 |title="Saving the World Before Bedtime": The Powerpuff Girls, Citizenship, and the Little Girl Superhero |url=http://my.ilstu.edu:80/~hkolden/savingtheworldbeforebedtimepowerpuffgirls.pdf |journal=Children's Literature Association Quarterly |volume=33 |issue=1 |page=73 |doi=10.1353/chq.2008.0006 |s2cid=145470037 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429075424/http://my.ilstu.edu:80/~hkolden/savingtheworldbeforebedtimepowerpuffgirls.pdf |access-date=March 1, 2023|archive-date=2011-04-29 }}

File:Rebecca Sugar Speaking at New York Comic Con 2014 - Peter Dzubay (cropped).jpeg in 2014; she would first work on Adventure Time and would later create her own show, Steven Universe]]

In the 2000s, Static Shock, SpongeBob SquarePants, and The Proud Family were impacted by standards, censorship, and occasional protests by Christian fundamentalists.

Richard "Richie" Osgood Foley, best friend of Static/Virgil, Richie, also known as Gear, who appeared in Kids' WB's Static Shock was based on an openly gay character named Rick Stone from the original comic. Dwayne McDuffie, one of the show's creators, said he dealt with the homosexuality of Richie by writing him "aggressively and unconvincingly announcing his heterosexuality whenever possible...while Virgil rolled his eyes at the transparency of it" but it never came up in the show because it was rated Y-7.{{cite web|last=Dar|first=Taimur|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/marvels-earliest-gay-characters-introduced-in-don-mcgregors-black-panther-comics/|title=Marvel's Earliest Gay Characters Introduced in Don McGregor's Black Panther Comics|website=ComicsBeat|date=February 12, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128094954/https://www.comicsbeat.com/marvels-earliest-gay-characters-introduced-in-don-mcgregors-black-panther-comics/|archive-date=January 28, 2021|url-status=live}} Throughout the 2000s, Christian fundamentalist groups, such as Focus on the Family, criticized SpongeBob SquarePants, claiming that SpongeBob was gay and that the series was spreading "homosexual propaganda," leading series creator Stephen Hillenburg to describe SpongeBob as asexual, rather than gay.{{cite web |author= |title=Camp cartoon star 'is not gay' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2313221.stm |website=BBC News |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419032503/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2313221.stm |archive-date=April 19, 2020 |date=October 9, 2002 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |author= |title=Camp cartoon star 'is not gay' |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/spongebob-is-asexual-says-creator-20050129-gdzgke.html |website=The Age |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425191712/https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/spongebob-is-asexual-says-creator-20050129-gdzgke.html?js-chunk-not-found-refresh=true |archive-date=April 25, 2020 |date=January 29, 2005 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{Cite web |last1=Emmett |first1=Neil |title=A History of the 'Gay Agenda' in Animation |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/ideas-commentary/a-history-of-the-gay-agenda-in-animation-105951.html |website=Cartoon Brew |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318042828/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/ideas-commentary/a-history-of-the-gay-agenda-in-animation-105951.html |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |date=November 20, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Another scholar argued that characters like SpongeBob SquarePants challenged the "signifiers of traditional masculinity," and noted that SpongeBob was "primarily asexual," but has a traditional wardrobe, and his design uses masculine and feminine signifiers at the same time, and able to fluctuate between "masculine aggression and...feminine positivity."{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 247, 250-251, 258, 270}} In February 2021, Ralph Farquhar revealed that in The Proud Family, which aired on the Disney Channel from 2001 to 2005, they had to use "code to talk about if Michael was gay, to talk about sexuality" and to be "sort of underhanded about it," and said this changed with the revival/reboot The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.{{cite web|last=Wolfe|first=Jennifer|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/the-proud-family-returns-to-screens-louder-prouder-even-more-authentic/|title='The Proud Family' Returns to Screens Louder, Prouder & Even More Authentic!|website=Animation Magazine|date=February 4, 2022|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204183522/https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/the-proud-family-returns-to-screens-louder-prouder-even-more-authentic/|archive-date=February 4, 2022|url-status=live}}

In later years, Abbey White of Insider argued that one of the reasons that children's animation were stymied in their attempts to be more inclusive, for decades, was due to Standards and Practices departments within networks, the latter which interpreted rating guidelines and definitions of profanity, indecency, and obscenity by the FCC, to guide their notes to crew working on various animated series. She noted that these departments, as do studio executives, determine whether words such as "pride" or "gay," or other LGBTQ terms, can be shown on onscreen or said by a character. Even so, the story said that while these departments have a huge sway, the conservative pushback to certain shows have led to removal of content, and said that top executives have the power to make changes to increase inclusion. This included comments on Steven Universe by Cartoon Network Standards and Practices Department which informed Rebecca Sugar that Ruby and Sapphire, who fused together as Garnet, could not "kiss on the mouth" and she often had to defend the show's stories and "audience of queer youth."{{cite book |last1=McDonnell|first1=Chris|title=Steven Universe: End of An Era|date=2020|publisher=Abrams Books|isbn=978-1-4197-4284-2|language=en|pages=97, 102–104}}

In another example, in June 2021, it was reported that when the studio producing Mysticons changed the series to center on four teenage girls, Jara brought in more women and queer writers to the show's writing team, who were "responsible for building out an arc between lesbian characters Zarya Moonwolf and Kitty Boon." The report also noted that while he received support from Nickelodeon, and fellow producers, a partner was concerned that the storyline was not "age-appropriate" for young viewers, resulting in the kiss scene being cut, but he fought for their romance to remain included.{{cite web|last=White|first=Abbey|url=https://www.insider.com/why-tv-lacks-lgbtq-inclusion-according-to-experts-2021-6|title=TV animators were forced to scrap LGBTQ-inclusive storylines due to a culture of fear. Experts say fans are changing that.|website=Insider|date=June 15, 2021|access-date=June 16, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210616194517/https://www.insider.com/why-tv-lacks-lgbtq-inclusion-according-to-experts-2021-6|archive-date=June 16, 2021|url-status=live}} On the other hand, when Doc McStuffins, featured a lesbian (and interracial) married couple in August 2017, Jeremy Blacklow, GLAAD director of entertainment media, argued that this episode would be a turning point for executives who fear boycotts from conservative groups and called it a "major win for both Disney and preschool series."{{Cite web |last1=Joho |first1=Jess |title=Disney Channel features interracial lesbian couple and other networks should catch up already |url=https://mashable.com/2017/08/07/disney-interracial-lesbian-couple-doc-mcstuffins/#8uUdqOEbBOqR |website=Mashable |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515014042/https://mashable.com/2017/08/07/disney-interracial-lesbian-couple-doc-mcstuffins/ |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |date=August 7, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{Cite web |last1=Oh |first1=Rebecca |title=Disney Show 'Doc McStuffins' Features Interracial Lesbian Moms |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/disney-show-doc-mcstuffins-features-interracial-lesbian-moms-n791901 |website=NBC News |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922094141/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/disney-show-doc-mcstuffins-features-interracial-lesbian-moms-n791901 |archive-date=September 22, 2019 |date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

On March 10, 2022, Pixar employees argued that "nearly every moment" of openly gay affection was cut due to demands from Disney executives, even if creative teams and Pixar executives objected, arguing that these employees are being barred from creating queer content in animated films.{{cite web|last=Cumber|first=Joseph|url=https://screenrant.com/disney-pixar-movies-lgbtq-inclusive-content-staff-statement/|title=Pixar Employees Say Disney Censored LGBTQ+ Inclusive Content Efforts|website=Screen Rant|date=March 10, 2022|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315221814/https://screenrant.com/disney-pixar-movies-lgbtq-inclusive-content-staff-statement/|archive-date=March 15, 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=White|first=Abbey|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/pixar-employees-disney-statement-lgbtq-community-hollow-1235108281/|title=Pixar Employees Say Disney's Statement on Commitment to LGBTQ Community Rang Hollow|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 9, 2022|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316194455/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/pixar-employees-disney-statement-lgbtq-community-hollow-1235108281/|archive-date=March 16, 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220318-florida-don-t-say-gay-bill-spells-headache-for-disney|title=Florida 'Don't say gay' bill spells headache for Disney|website=France 24|date=March 20, 2022|publisher=Agence-France Presse|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318050717/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220318-florida-don-t-say-gay-bill-spells-headache-for-disney|archive-date=March 18, 2022|url-status=live}} Some critics countered that Pixar also downplayed queer moments in films like Luca and Turning Red.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/turning-red-confirms-pixar-lgbt-problem/|last=Metadeen|first=Renaldo|title=Turning Red Confirms Pixar's LGBT Problem Is Real|website=Comic Book Resources|date=March 16, 2022|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318092314/https://www.cbr.com/turning-red-confirms-pixar-lgbt-problem/|archive-date=March 18, 2022|url-status=live}} Previously, A.O. Scott argued that the film felt "gay" even if not "explicitly queer," and more ambiguous,{{cite web|last=Scott|first=A.O.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/17/movies/luca-review.html|title='Luca' Review: Calamari by Your Name|website=New York Times|date=June 17, 2021|access-date=March 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702085440/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/17/movies/luca-review.html|archive-date=July 2, 2021|url-status=live}} while the film's director, Enrico Casarosa, said this was unintentional and that his original vision for the film was to explore the time in a child's life before romance,{{cite web |url=https://www.out.com/film/2021/6/22/luca-director-says-film-about-pre-romance-time-boys-lives|title=Luca Director Says Film Is About the 'Pre-Romance' Time in Boys' Lives|website=Out|date=June 22, 2021|access-date=March 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226165439/https://www.out.com/film/2021/6/22/luca-director-says-film-about-pre-romance-time-boys-lives|archive-date=February 26, 2024|url-status=live}} but welcomed the interpretation after the film's release, also stating: "while I identify with pronouns he/him and I am a straight man, the themes of diversity, acceptance and inclusion in our movie are dear to my heart".{{Cite web |url=https://cupofgreentea.it/luca-disney-coming-out/ |title= Luca (2021): il nuovo film della Disney parla di un coming out? |website= cupofgreentea.it |language=Italian |date=June 23, 2023|access-date=March 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929232259/https://cupofgreentea.it/luca-disney-coming-out/|archive-date=September 29, 2023|url-status=live}} It was later reported that a same-sex kiss in Lightyear, was reinstated, with the film featuring the studio's "first-ever on-screen kiss between two characters of the same gender" between Alisha Hawthorne and her wife Kiko.{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/top-stories/disneysaygay-developments-lightyear-same-sex-kiss-reinstated-blue-sky-staff-notes-nimona-pushback/|title=#DisneySayGay Updates: 'Lightyear' Same-Sex Kiss Reinstated, Blue Sky Staff Reveals 'Nimona' Pushback|website=Animation Magazine|date=March 18, 2022|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320193906/https://www.animationmagazine.net/top-stories/disneysaygay-developments-lightyear-same-sex-kiss-reinstated-blue-sky-staff-notes-nimona-pushback/|archive-date=March 20, 2022|url-status=live}} It would later be reported that Disney executives blamed the film's financial failure on the "queer kiss" between two characters.

In September 2024, IGN spoke to ten former Pixar employees, who revealed internal struggles to "avoid LGBTQ themes" in Inside Out 2, requiring edits to the film. Multiple employees, recalled notes given to make the main character in the film, Riley Andersen, appear "less gay," with special care to indicate that the relationship between Val and Riley seemed platonic rather than having any "romantic chemistry." One employee even recalled changes to tone and lighting of specific scenes, saying it was a "lot of extra work to make sure that no one would potentially see them as not straight." The same source added that canonically, Riley is not gay, but it is "kind of inferred based on certain contexts" and that executives tried to play this down at multiple points" in the film, with another former employee saying some executives were "uncomfortable" with queer themes, with insistence these things remain out of the film. Another source said that many of those working at Pixar accepted the fact that there "may never" be a "major gay character in a Pixar movie."{{cite web|last=Stedman|first=Alex|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/inside-out-2-was-the-hit-pixar-needed-but-the-laid-off-employees-who-crunched-on-it-are-still-hurting|title=Inside Out 2 Was the Hit Pixar Needed, but the Laid-Off Employees Who Crunched on It Are Still Hurting|website=IGN|date=September 17, 2024|orig-date=September 16, 2024|access-date=September 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917132945/https://www.ign.com/articles/inside-out-2-was-the-hit-pixar-needed-but-the-laid-off-employees-who-crunched-on-it-are-still-hurting|archive-date=September 17, 2024|url-status=live}} Following the film, some felt baited by film's post-credits scene, which did not reveal that Riley is gay,{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Nate|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/inside-out-2-whats-rileys-deep-dark-secret.html|title=Were You Also Baited by the Inside Out 2 Post-Credits Scene?|website=Vulture|date=June 17, 2024|access-date=September 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916230550/https://www.vulture.com/article/inside-out-2-whats-rileys-deep-dark-secret.html|archive-date=September 16, 2024|url-status=live}} but rather that she burned a rug once.{{cite web|last=Pitman|first=Robert|url=https://screenrant.com/inside-out-2-riley-deep-dark-secret-not-lgbtq-theory/|title=Riley's Deep Dark Secret Reveal Makes A Popular Inside Out Theory Less Likely|website=ScreenRant|date=June 21, 2024|access-date=September 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621230411/https://screenrant.com/inside-out-2-riley-deep-dark-secret-not-lgbtq-theory/|archive-date=June 21, 2024|url-status=live}} Another reviewer, for The Guardian, stated that "sexuality is entirely absent in the film."{{cite web|last=Shoard|first=Catherine|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/jun/17/inside-out-2-joy-v-anxiety-puberty-and-the-big-secret-discuss-with-spoilers|title=Inside Out 2: Joy v Anxiety, puberty, and the big secret – discuss with spoilers|website=The Guardian|date=June 17, 2024|access-date=September 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617162045/https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/jun/17/inside-out-2-joy-v-anxiety-puberty-and-the-big-secret-discuss-with-spoilers|archive-date=June 17, 2024|url-status=live}} Previously, some fans had speculated that Riley would be gay in the film and others believed there was canonical evidence to support this headcanon, once the film had released.{{cite web|last=Laguerre-Lewis|first=Kayla|url=https://screenrant.com/inside-out-riley-lgbtq-evidence-hints/|title=All The Evidence Riley Is LGBTQ+ In The Inside Out Movies|website=ScreenRant|date=June 25, 2024|access-date=September 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625092815/https://screenrant.com/inside-out-riley-lgbtq-evidence-hints/|archive-date=June 25, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Perry|first=Sophie|url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/06/07/inside-out-2-trailer-riley-gay-lgbtq-lgbt/|title=Is Riley LGBTQ+ in Inside Out 2? Sapphic Twitter detectives certainly think so|website=PinkNews|date=June 7, 2024|access-date=September 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607103711/https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/06/07/inside-out-2-trailer-riley-gay-lgbtq-lgbt/|archive-date=June 7, 2024|url-status=live}}

In November 2024, Gizmodo and PinkNews reported that in China, where the series aired on Tencent Video and Bilibili,{{cite web|last=Yue|first=Ma|url=https://www.shine.cn/feature/entertainment/2411113175/|title=Second and final season of 'Arcane' released in Shanghai|website=Shine|date=November 11, 2024|access-date=November 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241115043522/https://www.shine.cn/feature/entertainment/2411113175/|archive-date=November 15, 2024|url-status=live}} the scene of Caitlyn Kiramann and Maddie Nolen in the part two of Arcane Season 2 was altered, was a final scene between Caitlyn and Vi in the show's third act. It was stated that in the censored version, the latter scene is more awkward, removing characters "from close-up shots and making them look like they are resting on invisible shoulders" and that the sexual intercourse scene between Caitlyn and Vi was "cut out entirely."{{cite web|last=Colbert|first=Isaiah|url=https://gizmodo.com/arcanes-wild-overseas-censorship-edits-have-fans-in-hysterics-2000530936|title=Arcane's Wild Overseas Censorship Edits Have Fans in Hysterics|website=Gizmodo|date=November 27, 2024|access-date=November 28, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241128181645/https://gizmodo.com/arcanes-wild-overseas-censorship-edits-have-fans-in-hysterics-2000530936|archive-date=November 28, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=PinkNews Reporter|url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/11/28/arcane-caitlyn-and-vi-censored-china/|title=Arcane season two's lesbian romance between Caitlyn and Vi censored in China|website=PinkNews|date=November 28, 2024|access-date=November 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241128181949/https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/11/28/arcane-caitlyn-and-vi-censored-china/|archive-date=November 28, 2024|url-status=live}} The Spanish-language outlet, Vandal, also asserted that a censored version of the series was released in Iran.{{cite web|last=Herreros|first=Raquel Diaz|url=https://vandal.elespanol.com/noticia/r30143/china-censura-el-final-de-arcane-de-netflix-y-decide-darle-un-final-alternativo-desatando-la-ira-de-los-fans|title=China censura 'Arcane' de Netflix y le da un final alternativo, desatando la ira de los fans|trans-title=China censors Netflix's 'Arcane' and gives it an alternate ending, sparking anger among fans|website=Vandal|date=November 27, 2024|access-date=November 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241128182402/https://vandal.elespanol.com/noticia/r30143/china-censura-el-final-de-arcane-de-netflix-y-decide-darle-un-final-alternativo-desatando-la-ira-de-los-fans|archive-date=November 28, 2024|url-status=live|language=es}} Polygon also reported that the Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur season 2 episode "The Gatekeeper", about Brooklyn facing discrimination for being a transgender girl, was shelved by Disney before it aired. Several crew members, like storyboarder Derrick Malick Johnson, asserted on social media that Disney decided not to air the episode because of "which party that won the recent election" which likely referred to the victory of Donald Trump and the Republican Party in the 2024 United States presidential election.{{cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|url=https://www.polygon.com/news/479614/disney-reportedly-pulls-marvels-moon-girl-and-dinosaur-episode-over-trans-athlete-story|title=Disney reportedly pulls Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur episode over trans athlete story|website=Polygon|date=November 15, 2024|access-date=November 15, 2024|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20241115181109/https://www.polygon.com/news/479614/disney-reportedly-pulls-marvels-moon-girl-and-dinosaur-episode-over-trans-athlete-story|archive-date=November 15, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://bsky.app/profile/aworkersignited.bsky.social/post/3lax2ijxcrk2y|title=Disappointing is an understatement. Shame on Disney for cutting this episode during a time when trans kids and teens could likely use media like this the most.|author=Animation Workers United|publisher=Bluesky|date=November 14, 2024|access-date=November 15, 2024|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20241115181159/https://bsky.app/profile/aworkersignited.bsky.social/post/3lax2ijxcrk2y|archive-date=November 15, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Derick Malik|url=https://bsky.app/profile/derrickmjohnson.bsky.social/post/3larwzdfvfk2y|title=So guess i finally got hit with one of the projects (episode) i worked on is getting shelved because of which party that won the recent election. It breaks my heart knowing this impactful and amazing is now about to be consider a lost media episode.|date=November 12, 2024|website=Bluesky|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241114230713/https://bsky.app/profile/derrickmjohnson.bsky.social/post/3larwzdfvfk2y|archive-date=November 14, 2024}}

Later reporting by Collider asserted the episode has been on hold for over a year, which had nothing to do with the election results, but that it was unclear if it "will ever be officially released." They also reported that the episode was leaked on YouTube and noted criticism of the decision to not release the episode by storyboarder Emma Cicirega, Amphibia creator Matt Braly, indie animation writer Dave Capdevielle, and The Owl House creator Dana Terrace.{{cite web|last=Mulliax|first=Hope|url=https://collider.com/moon-girl-and-devil-dinosaur-season-2-episode-leak-lgbt-plot/|title=Marvel's 'Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur' Episode Allegedly Removed by Disney for Sensitive LGBT+ Plot Leaks Online [Update]|website=Collider|date=November 15, 2024|access-date=November 15, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241116040317/https://collider.com/moon-girl-and-devil-dinosaur-season-2-episode-leak-lgbt-plot/|archive-date=November 16, 2024|url-status=live}}

In December 2024, Deadline Hollywood reported that Disney removed a storyline related to a transgender character in an episode within an upcoming Pixar television series Win or Lose, with the company's spokesperson saying that "when it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline" while the character remains in the series, lines of dialogue that referenced gender identity were cut.{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=December 17, 2024 |title=Disney Pulls Transgender Storyline From 'Win Or Lose' Pixar Series |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/disney-pulls-transgender-storyline-win-or-lose-pixar-series-1236208821/ |access-date=December 18, 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218025216/https://deadline.com/2024/12/disney-pulls-transgender-storyline-win-or-lose-pixar-series-1236208821/ |archive-date=December 18, 2024 |url-status=live}} It was also reported that the decision to cut this storyline had happened "several months ago".{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=December 17, 2024 |title=Disney Pulls Transgender Storyline from Pixar's 'Win or Lose' Streaming Series (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/disney-pulls-transgender-storyline-win-or-lose-1236088172/ |access-date=December 18, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218000720/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/disney-pulls-transgender-storyline-win-or-lose-1236088172/ |archive-date=December 18, 2024 |url-status=live}} Chanel Stewart, the transgender actress who voices the character in question, criticized the decision, calling it "upsetting," disenheartening, and stated that "trans stories matter, and...deserve to be heard" and noted her character would be a "straight cis girl" instead.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/win-or-lose-transgender-actress-speaks-after-disney-cuts-storyline-1236209109/|title='Win Or Lose' Transgender Actress Speaks Out After Disney Cuts Her Storyline: "Very Disheartened"|first=Lynette|last=Rice|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 17, 2024|access-date=December 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218023456/https://deadline.com/2024/12/win-or-lose-transgender-actress-speaks-after-disney-cuts-storyline-1236209109/ |archive-date=December 18, 2024 |url-status=live}}

Many Western animated series and films have featured stereotypes and tropes over the years. This included Aladdin, The Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Hercules, The Ambiguously Gay Duo, South Park, Family Guy, and Voltron: Legendary Defender.

Some critics have noted the "sliver of representation" in Disney's film, Aladdin, embodied in characters such as Jafar, created by gay animator Andreas Deja, and singing music by another gay man, Howard Ashman. Some, like filmmaker David Thorpe, would argue that this film associated gay men with villainy, while others would describe Jafar as queer-coded, "polished, sophisticated, and bitingly funny."{{cite web|last=Allen|first=Samantha|url=http://www.newnownext.com/disney-queer-coded-animated-villains/07/2019/|title=I Miss Disney's Queer-Coded Villains—But the Next Generation Won't|website=NewNowNext|date=July 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719204210/http://www.newnownext.com/disney-queer-coded-animated-villains/07/2019/ |archive-date=July 19, 2021}} Gaston previously designed Gaston and LeFou in The Beauty and the Beast (1991).{{cite magazine | first=Craig | last=Seymour | title=Yep, They're Gay | url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,277857_2,00.html | date=6 October 2000 | magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110135751/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,277857_2,00.html|archive-date=November 10, 2011}} This queer coding, however, had its disadvantages, with networks not wanting to show overt representation. Rebecca Sugar argued that it is "really heavy" for a kid to only exist "as a villain or a joke" in an animated series. Other critics argued that such queer-coded villains as contributing to "homophobic discourse" and equating queerness with evil itself.{{cite web |last1=Gates |first1=Meggie |title=Once Again, Disney Attempts to Co-opt Pride Month |url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/disney-rebrands-pride-no-lgbtq-support |website=Bitch |access-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712054914/https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/disney-rebrands-pride-no-lgbtq-support |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |date=July 18, 2021 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |last1=Weir |first1=John |title=FILM; Gay-Bashing, Villainy and the Oscars |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/29/movies/film-gay-bashing-villainy-and-the-oscars.html |website=New York Times |access-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122220051/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/29/movies/film-gay-bashing-villainy-and-the-oscars.html |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |date=March 29, 1992 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} He would later design Scar in The Lion King (1994), and the title character of Hercules (1997). Others would also describe Scar and John Ratcliffe in Pocahontas as "queer-coded villains"{{cite web|last=Salandra|first=Alex|url=http://www.newnownext.com/disney-gay-characters/03/2017/|title=11 Disney Animated Characters Who Were Definitely Queer|date=March 16, 2017|website=NewNowNext|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518064926/http://www.newnownext.com/disney-gay-characters/03/2017/|archive-date=May 18, 2022}} and state that Deja's work on Scar and Hercules would be influential in development of some Disney characters.{{cite book | first1=Gail | last1=Dines | first2=Jean | last2=McMahon Humez | title=Gender, Race, and Class in Media: A Text-reader | page=[https://archive.org/details/genderraceclassi0000unse/page/209 209] | date=August 2002 | publisher=Sage Publications | isbn=978-0-7619-2261-2 | url=https://archive.org/details/genderraceclassi0000unse/page/209 }}{{cite book | first=Peter | last=Schweizer | title=The Mouse Betrayed | page=[https://archive.org/details/disneymousebetra00schw/page/148 148] | publisher=Regnery Publishing | date=September 1998 | isbn=0-89526-387-4 | url=https://archive.org/details/disneymousebetra00schw/page/148 }}{{cite journal | first=Tom | last=Provenzano | title=The Lion in Summer | journal=The Advocate | page=66 | date=28 June 1994}}

The 1990s also featured series such as The Ambiguously Gay Duo, which created by Robert Smigel and J. J. Sedelmaier, and premiered on The Dana Carvey Show. The show follows the adventures of Ace and Gary, voiced by Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell, respectively, two superheroes whose sexual orientation is a matter of dispute, and a cavalcade of characters preoccupied with the question,{{cite interview | subject=J.J. Sedelmaier | interviewer=Terry Gross | title=Animation director J.J. Sedelmaier | url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1125042 | type=Interview: Audio |format=MP3 | work=Fresh Air | publisher=NPR | date=June 27, 2001 | access-date=May 10, 2021}} and is a parody of the stereotypical comic book superhero duo done in the style of Saturday morning cartoons like Super Friends. The shorts are intended to satirize suggestions that early Batman comics implied a homosexual relationship between the eponymous title character and his field partner and protégé Robin, a charge most infamously leveled by Fredric Wertham in his 1954 book, Seduction of the Innocent,{{cite book | last=Wertham | first=Fredric | title=Seduction of the Innocent | edition=First | location=New York | publisher=Rinehart & Company, Inc | year=1954 | isbn=978-0-8488-1657-5 | oclc=10526406}} the research methodology for which was later discredited.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/books/flaws-found-in-fredric-werthams-comic-book-studies.html?_r=0|title=Flaws Found in Fredric Wertham's Comic-Book Studies|first=Dave|last=Itzkoff|date=February 19, 2013|website=The New York Times}} This superhero show aired at the time there were other queer-themed live-action segments, like one of a gay weightlifting pair (Hans and Carvey), the "It's Pat" sketch from 1990 to 1994, which derived much of its humor from "speculation about Pat's gender and sexuality," and comic Terry Sweeney having a role on SNL, becoming the first regular gay performer in television.{{cite book|last=Tipton |first=Nathan G. |editor-last=Summers |editor-first=Claude |date=2012 |title=The Queer Encyclopedia of Film and Television |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nwFuDwAAQBAJ |chapter=American Television: Situation Comedies |location=San Francisco, California |publisher=Cleis Press Start |isbn=978-1-57344-882-6 |page=39}}

File:Matt Stone (28554550066).jpg speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con, for "South Park: Season 20", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California on July 22, 2016; Stone voiced Big Gay Al, a gay character in South Park.]]

South Park, created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, began airing on Comedy Central in August 1997, featured many stereotypical depictions of queer characters. This included a flamboyant homosexual man named Big Gay Al who ran an animal sanctuary with gay animals.{{cite book|last=Weinstock|first=Jeffrey Andrew|title=Taking South Park Seriously|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H7OEFij0QkgC&pg=PA155|access-date=December 31, 2014|date=September 11, 2008|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-7566-9|pages=155–}} In the course of the show, Big Gay Al would openly display his homosexuality and be an open advocate for gay rights. Some critics would further describe the character as a "stereotypical gay man" who teaches those in South Park about the evils of homophobia through history, educate pet owners on the "evils of homophobia" in his debut episode.{{Sfn |Walters | 2001 | p = 99-100}}{{Sfn | Capsuto | 2001 | p = 370-371}}{{Sfn | Gross | 2001 | p = 123}} Literature and queer studies scholar James Keller would critically analyze the series, noting its moderate liberal beliefs and queer sensibilities, along with homophobic bias, with a laissez-faire approach to LGBTQ discrimination and rights, affecting the show's narrative choices, with the show's three principle gay characters as "caricatures," calling the character a "round, effeminate, oversexed, and scrupulously manicured dance hall queen" acquiesces to the abuses of heterosexism.{{Sfn | Keller | 2010 | p = 273-276, 289-291, 293-299}}

Other characters, such as Cartman, were said to occasionally associated with "same-sex desire", along with an unsympathetic relationship between Saddam Hussein and Satan, which emulated a heterosexual couple,{{cite book|last=Runions|first=Erin|title=The Babylon Complex: Theopolitical Fantasies of War, Sex, and Sovereignty|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GG4FBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT185|access-date=January 1, 2015|date=March 1, 2014|publisher=Fordham University Press|isbn=978-0-8232-5736-2|pages=185–}}{{Sfn | Gross | 2001 | p = 123}}{{Sfn | Keller | 2010 | p = 290-293}} and Mr. Slave, a character said to be a gay S&M cliche and "leather queen", who rejects Mr. Garrison, a character who originally presented as a closeted homosexual.{{Sfn | Keller | 2010 | p = 276-280, 294}} Storylines would feature Garrison coming out as a gay man, then having a gender reassignment surgery to become female (known as Janet Garrison), becoming a lesbian, and then changing back to a man.{{cite book|last=Thompson|first=Dave|title=South Park FAQ: All That's Left to Know About The Who, What, Where, When and #%$ of America's Favorite Mountain Town|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aaoTBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT78|access-date=December 31, 2014|date=August 1, 2014|publisher=Applause Theatre & Cinema Books|isbn=978-1-4950-0207-6|pages=78–}}{{Sfn | Keller | 2010 | p = 277-278, 280-284}}{{Sfn |Walters | 2001 | p = 99}} Some scholars stated that characters like Bugs Bunny and Mulan, who cross-dressed, paved the way for characters like Mr./Mrs. Garrison, who described as a "post-op transgender character."{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 262}} Critics, such as Rueben Baron of CBR, argued that although the series made it clear that cartoons are not only for kids, like The Simpsons, but it did not counter the idea that it is "inappropriate to expose kids to the existence of queer people."{{cite web |last1=Baron |first1=Rueben |title=20 Crucial Queer Representations In Anime (For Better Or Worse) |website=CBR |url=https://www.cbr.com/queer-anime-characters/ |access-date=July 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926174900/https://www.cbr.com/queer-anime-characters/ |archive-date=September 26, 2019 |date=June 24, 2018 |url-status=live}}

Other series were criticized for repeating tropes and stereotypes of queer characters FOX's Family Guy, would be criticized for repeating tropes often associated with LGBTQ+ characters with Ida Davis, a trans woman, introduced in the episode "Quagmire's Dad,"{{cite web |last1=Browning |first1=Bill |title=History Repeating: Family Guy goes transphobic |url=http://bilerico.lgbtqnation.com/2010/05/history_repeating_family_guy_goes_transphobic.php |website=The Bilerico Project |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330010424/http://bilerico.lgbtqnation.com/2010/05/history_repeating_family_guy_goes_transphobic.php |archive-date=March 30, 2020 |date=May 10, 2010 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} an argument repeated by other critics in later years.{{cite web |last1=Ridgeway |first1=Shannon |title=Stereotypes in Animated Sitcoms: Helpful or Harmful? |url=https://everydayfeminism.com/2013/11/stereotypes-in-animated-sitcoms/ |website=Everyday Feminism |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626100335/https://everydayfeminism.com/2013/11/stereotypes-in-animated-sitcoms/ |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |date=November 20, 2013 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Davis would later become the "butt of many transmisogynistic and transphobic "jokes.""{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/10/family-guy-quagmires-dad-review|title=Family Guy: "Quagmire's Dad" Review|work=IGN|author=Isler, Ramsey|date=May 8, 2012|access-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319024646/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/10/family-guy-quagmires-dad-review |archive-date=March 19, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.out.com/television/2019/10/07/family-guy-still-just-transphobic-ever|title='Family Guy' Is Still Just as Transphobic as Ever|work=Out|author=Rude, Mey|date=October 7, 2019|access-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008052447/https://www.out.com/television/2019/10/07/family-guy-still-just-transphobic-ever |archive-date=October 8, 2019}} In January 2019, Family Guy! committed to phasing out jokes about the LGBTQ community,{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Damian |title=Family Guy to 'phase out' jokes about the LGBTQ community |url=https://www.nme.com/news/family-guy-to-phase-out-jokes-about-the-lgbtq-community-2430998 |website=NME |access-date=January 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401020226/https://www.nme.com/news/family-guy-to-phase-out-jokes-about-the-lgbtq-community-2430998 |archive-date=April 1, 2020 |date=January 14, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} which was confirmed

by the show's executive producers Alec Sulkin and Rich Appel, along with creator Seth MacFarlane, who stated that they wanted to better reflect the current climate in the show due to societal changes which have seen the jokes become frowned upon over time.{{cite web|last=Goldberg|first=Leslie|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/family-guy-will-phase-gay-jokes-1175975|title=Family Guy' Will Phase Out Gay Jokes|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 14, 2019|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115023007/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/family-guy-will-phase-gay-jokes-1175975|archive-date=January 15, 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/15/entertainment/family-guy-gay-jokes/index.html|title='Family Guy' phasing out gay jokes|last=France|first=Lisa Respers |website=CNN|date=January 25, 2019|access-date=January 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219012134/https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/15/entertainment/family-guy-gay-jokes/index.html|archive-date=December 19, 2023|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-46878017|title=Should Family Guy 'phase out' gay jokes?|last=Rackham|first=Annabel|date=January 15, 2019|website=BBC News|access-date=January 16, 2019|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230002956/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-46878017|archive-date=December 30, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/family-guy-is-trying-to-phase-out-gay-jokes/news-story/8bac5c52b5cc4f015d1b4355a11caa74|title=Family Guy: Comedy animation 'phasing out' gay jokes|website=News.com.au|access-date=January 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126055608/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/family-guy-is-trying-to-phase-out-gay-jokes/news-story/8bac5c52b5cc4f015d1b4355a11caa74|archive-date=January 26, 2023|url-status=live}} However, this was later reversed in an October 2019 episode, in which Peter Griffin stated that the commitment was "taken out of context and widely misunderstood."{{Cite web|last=Michallon|first=Clémence|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/family-guy-gay-jokes-disneys-the-reboot-trump-guy-episode-a9166766.html|title =Family Guy might have just U-turned on its decision to 'phase out' gay jokes|website = Independent.co.uk|date = October 2019|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118034140/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/family-guy-gay-jokes-disneys-the-reboot-trump-guy-episode-a9166766.html|archive-date=January 18, 2024|url-status=live}}

Voltron: Legendary Defender, which aired on Netflix from June 2016 to December 2018, featured three gay characters, Shiro and Adam, who broke up, with Adam dying several years later, but at the end of eighth and final season, Shiro is married to Curtis, a background character introduced in Season 8. The series was fraught with criticism for its LGBTQ representation, especially for killing off a gay character,{{cite magazine |last1=Romano |first1=Nick |title=From Steven Universe to Voltron: The fight to bring LGBTQ characters to kids' shows |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/08/22/steven-universe-voltron-kids-cartoons-lgbtq-characters/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707040532/https://ew.com/tv/2018/08/22/steven-universe-voltron-kids-cartoons-lgbtq-characters/ |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |date=August 22, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} with some saying the show was following a stereotype known as "burying that gay", leading showrunner Joaquim Dos Santos to apologize to fans.{{cite web |last1=O'Rourke |first1=Jill |title=The Erasure Of LGBTQ Characters In Children's Media Goes Beyond Bert And Ernie |url=https://articles.aplus.com/film-forward/lgbtq-erasure-kids-shows-animation |website=A Plus |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328204911/https://articles.aplus.com/film-forward/lgbtq-erasure-kids-shows-animation |archive-date=March 28, 2020 |date=October 11, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |last1=Haasch |first1=Palmer |title=Voltron creator addresses fans over season 7's queerbaiting controversy |url=https://www.polygon.com/tv/2018/8/16/17698024/voltron-adam-controversy-netflix-queerbaiting-dos-santos-letter |website=Polygon |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190615134146/https://www.polygon.com/tv/2018/8/16/17698024/voltron-adam-controversy-netflix-queerbaiting-dos-santos-letter |archive-date=June 15, 2019 |date=August 16, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} The fact that Shiro's partner was killed off in the same episode he was introduced "played into negative tropes and didn't sit well with fans."

Some series with LGBTQ+ representation have either been cancelled or not-renewed over the years. This included the animated video series Danger & Eggs, Twelve Forever, The Hollow, Hoops, Q-Force, and The Venture Bros. In an article for Bitch, Lena Dean noted that writers and showrunners have wanted to push for onscreen queer representation, but said it still risky. She hoped that in the future there would be "more meaningful representation" especially for transgender, asexual, non-binary, and "queer characters of color," noting that there is such a demand for audiences for this diversity, noting that in the past there were only "background gay characters" which meant that queer people could not see themselves as protagonists.{{cite web|last=Dean|first=Lena|url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/history-of-queer-representation-in-cartoons-she-ra-korra|title=Queerness Shines in "She-Ra" and Other Animated Shows|website=Bitch|date=August 10, 2020|access-date=September 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121010754/https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/history-of-queer-representation-in-cartoons-she-ra-korra|archive-date=January 21, 2021|url-status=live}}

In June 2017, Amazon Video premiered the animated video series Danger & Eggs,{{Cite web |last1=Lodge |first1=Daniel |title=SDCC '17: Danger and Eggs represents LGBTQ community both on and off screen |url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/sdcc-17-danger-and-eggs-represents-lgbtq-community-both-on-and-off-screen/ |website=Comics Beat |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920144902/http://www.comicsbeat.com/sdcc-17-danger-and-eggs-represents-lgbtq-community-both-on-and-off-screen/ |archive-date=September 20, 2017 |date=July 27, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{Cite web |last1=Guerrero |first1=Desirée |title=Wait, You Never Heard of Danger and Eggs? |url=https://www.advocate.com/current-issue/2017/11/21/wait-you-never-heard-danger-and-eggs |website=The Advocate |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212185718/https://www.advocate.com/current-issue/2017/11/21/wait-you-never-heard-danger-and-eggs |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |date=November 21, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} which was co-created by a trans woman named Shadi Petosky,{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/amazon-danger-eggs-review/|title='Danger & Eggs' is a groundbreaking milestone in queer representation—and it's hilarious|date=2017-07-04|work=The Daily Dot|access-date=2018-10-13|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324223850/https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/amazon-danger-eggs-review/|archive-date=March 24, 2020}} was filled with LGBTQ+ characters, such as a femme "brown-skinned energetic creative" named Reina,{{Cite web |last1=Rude |first1=Mey |title=The Cast and Crew of "Danger & Eggs" Chat About Their Super Weird, Super Queer Kids Show |url=https://www.autostraddle.com/the-queer-and-trans-cast-of-danger-eggs-a-385688/ |website=Autostraddle |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528125217/https://www.autostraddle.com/the-queer-and-trans-cast-of-danger-eggs-a-385688/ |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |date=July 24, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} and a genderqueer character named Milo{{Cite web |last1=Jusino |first1=Teresa |url=https://www.themarysue.com/danger-and-eggs-awesome-for-lgbtqia-representation/ |title=Why Amazon's Danger and Eggs Is One of the Best Things to Happen to LGBTQIA Representation |website=The Mary Sue |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212185718/https://www.themarysue.com/danger-and-eggs-awesome-for-lgbtqia-representation/ |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |date=July 18, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{Cite web |last1=Rude |first1=Mey |title="Danger & Eggs" Is The Greatest Weirdest Queer-and-Trans Inclusive Kids Show Ever |url=https://www.autostraddle.com/danger-and-eggs-is-the-greatest-weirdest-queer-and-trans-inclusive-kids-show-ever-382906/ |website=Autostraddle |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413233519/https://www.autostraddle.com/danger-and-eggs-is-the-greatest-weirdest-queer-and-trans-inclusive-kids-show-ever-382906/ |archive-date=April 13, 2020 |date=July 1, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} In later years, Milo was highlighted as one of the only non-binary characters of color in animation. In February 2018, Petosky felt that the show was in limbo, with the loss of the crew, without "much concern or enthusiasm" about the show, saying it "just slipped through the cracks." She lamented that the show's fate is up the new executive team on the show and predicted the show would probably be cancelled as a result.{{Cite web |last1=Arthur |first1=Kate |title=Show Creator Says Amazon Told Her To "Tone It Down" About Politics On Twitter |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kateaurthur/show-creator-says-amazon-told-her-to-tone-it-down-about |website=BuzzFeed |access-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301053026/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kateaurthur/show-creator-says-amazon-told-her-to-tone-it-down-about |archive-date=March 1, 2019 |date=February 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

file:Ian Jones-Quartey Cartoon Network New Comedies Panel.jpg

On August 8, 2019, Ian Jones-Quartey, confirmed that his show, OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes had been cancelled by Cartoon Network, but would still air a final episode.{{cite web|url=https://nerdbot.com/2019/08/09/ok-ko-lets-be-heroes-is-ending-creator-says-it-wasnt-his-decision/|title= OK KO! Let's Be Heroes is Ending Creator Says it Wasn't His Decision|website=Nerdbot|date=August 8, 2019|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301164746/https://nerdbot.com/2019/08/09/ok-ko-lets-be-heroes-is-ending-creator-says-it-wasnt-his-decision/|archive-date=March 1, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Pulliam-Moore|first=Charles|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/ok-k-o-lets-be-heroes-has-been-cancelled-1837078836|title=OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes Has Been Cancelled|website=Gizmodo|date=August 8, 2019|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323085829/https://io9.gizmodo.com/ok-k-o-lets-be-heroes-has-been-cancelled-1837078836|archive-date=March 23, 2021|url-status=live}} The series featured LGBTQ themes{{cite web|last=Kelley|first=Shamus|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/why-steven-universe-fans-need-to-watch-ok-ko/|title=Why Steven Universe Fans Need To Watch OK K.O.!|website=Den of Geek|date=July 31, 2017|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405024823/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/why-steven-universe-fans-need-to-watch-ok-ko/|archive-date=April 5, 2020|url-status=live}} and LGBTQ characters in the main cast, among supporting characters and other recurring characters. For instance, the series featured two married couples: Lord Boxman and Professor Venomous, two villains, and Joff and Nick Army, two recurring heroes.{{cite web|last=Gramuglia|first=Anthony|url=https://www.cbr.com/when-will-cartoons-feature-gay-male-romances/|title=When Will Cartoons Put Gay Male Romances in the Spotlight?|website=CBR|date=May 31, 2020|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627194933/https://www.cbr.com/when-will-cartoons-feature-gay-male-romances/|archive-date=June 27, 2020|url-status=live}} The series was noted as portraying Boxman and Venomous romantically,{{cite web |last=Pearce |first=Steven |title=OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes |url=http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/ok_k_o_lets_be_heroes |magazine=The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508083552/http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/ok_k_o_lets_be_heroes |archive-date=May 8, 2019 |date=September 17, 2019 |url-status=live}} SP in the entry [http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/contributors stands for Steven Pearce] and having a couple: Enid, a bisexual ninja and witch, and Red Action, a lesbian, who kissed in the episode "Red Action 3: Grudgement Day".{{Sfn | GLAAD | 2019 | p = 33}} Some reviewers noted that Enid has possible romantic feelings toward Elodie.{{cite web|first=Sinclair|last=August|title=The Struggle to Get Queer Content in Cartoons|url=https://vrvblog.co/august/4071/the-struggle-to-get-queer-content-in-cartoons/|website=VRV blog|access-date=August 14, 2020|date=November 15, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200814125524/https://vrvblog.co/august/4071/the-struggle-to-get-queer-content-in-cartoons/|archive-date=August 14, 2020}} The series finale, "Thank You for Watching the Show," included a same-sex wedding between Joff and Army.{{cite web|last=Richardson|first=Jack|url=https://impactnottingham.com/2020/09/lgbtq-representation-in-childrens-animation-an-ongoing-battle-part-2-5/|title= LGBTQ+ Representation In Children's Animation: An Ongoing Battle – Part 2/5|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105153853/https://impactnottingham.com/2020/09/lgbtq-representation-in-childrens-animation-an-ongoing-battle-part-2-5/|archive-date=November 5, 2020|url-status=live}} The series was later recognized by Philadelphia Gay News and Out for its LGBTQ representation.{{cite web|last=Rudolph|first=Dana|url=https://epgn.com/2020/03/04/needing-more-than-a-moment-lgbtq-representation-in-childrens-media/|title=Needing More Than a Moment: LGBTQ Representation in Children's Media|website=Philadelphia Gay News|date=March 4, 2020|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512042623/https://epgn.com/2020/03/04/needing-more-than-a-moment-lgbtq-representation-in-childrens-media/|archive-date=May 12, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Rude|first=Mey|url=https://www.out.com/television/2019/11/12/where-are-all-gays-disney|title=Where Are All the Gays on Disney+?|date=November 12, 2019|website=Out|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211062521/https://www.out.com/television/2019/11/12/where-are-all-gays-disney|archive-date=February 11, 2021|url-status=live}}

Other series that would not be renewed for additional seasons included Twelve Forever, The Hollow{{cite web|title='The Hollow' Season 3: Canceled at Netflix After 2 Seasons|url=https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/the-hollow-season-3-canceled-at-netflix/|website=What's on Netflix|date=September 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008185136/https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/the-hollow-season-3-canceled-at-netflix/|archive-date=October 8, 2020|access-date=May 15, 2021|url-status=live}} and Hoops. In September 2018, Petosky, one of the executive producers of Twelve Forever would state that because of the show abrupt ending, Shadi Petosky, they would not be able to further explore the queer identity of the protagonist, Reggie.{{cite tweet |last=Petosky |first=Shadi |author-link=Shadi Petosky |user=shadipetosky |number=1174404144368517121 |date=September 18, 2019 |title=Our Netflix show Twelve Forever has a canon queer pre-teen main character. I am bummed we don't have future seasons to explore it, but we did it, and it's possible. |website=Twitter |access-date=December 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918200915/https://twitter.com/shadipetosky/status/1174404144368517121 |archive-date=September 18, 2019 }} Hoops, which had a gay character named Scott on the school's basketball team,{{cite web |last1=Patton |first1=Rebecca |title=This New Netflix Show Is Basically One Big New Girl Reunion |url=https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/the-hoops-voice-cast-new-girl-reunion |website=Bustle |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822195814/https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/the-hoops-voice-cast-new-girl-reunion |archive-date=August 22, 2020 |date=August 21, 2020 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} would be cancelled by Netflix after its first season received low ratings and negative reviews.{{cite web |last1=Ausiello |first1= Michael |date=December 12, 2020 |title=Hoops Cancelled at Netflix |url=https://tvline.com/2020/12/08/hoops-cancelled-netflix-season-2/ |url-status=live |work=TVLine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208225010/https://tvline.com/2020/12/08/hoops-cancelled-netflix-season-2/ |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |access-date=December 13, 2020 }}{{cite web |last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |date=December 12, 2020 |title='Hoops' Canceled at Netflix After One Season (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/hoops-canceled-netflix-1234848791/ |url-status=live |work=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211002652/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/hoops-canceled-netflix-1234848791/ |archive-date=December 11, 2020 |access-date=December 13, 2020 }} Additional series which were not renewed included Q-Force, a mature comedy about a group of undervalued LGBT superspies, and is centered on a gay secret agent,{{cite report |date=January 2021 |title=Where We Are on TV: 2020-2021 |url=https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/GLAAD%20-%20202021%20WHERE%20WE%20ARE%20ON%20TV.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115060919/https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/GLAAD%20-%20202021%20WHERE%20WE%20ARE%20ON%20TV.pdf |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=January 18, 2021 |page=19 }} which was not renewed for a second season (and widely panned by critics),{{cite web|last=Sim|first=Bernardo|url=https://www.out.com/television/2022/6/29/netflix-just-cancelled-queer-animated-comedy-series-q-force|title=Netflix Just Cancelled Queer Animated Comedy Series Q-Force|website=Out|date=June 29, 2022|access-date=June 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629201643/https://www.out.com/television/2022/6/29/netflix-just-cancelled-queer-animated-comedy-series-q-force|archive-date=June 29, 2022|url-status=live|quote=The series was largely panned by critics }} and The Venture Bros., which had been slated to be renewed for an eighth and final season, which was later confirmed by series creator Jackson Publick, with season 8 being axed.{{Cite tweet|number=1303102212193705985|user=jacksonpublick|title=Unfortunately, it's true: #VentureBros has been canceled. We got the highly disappointing news a few months ago, while we were writing what would have been season 8. We thank you, our amazing fans, for 17 years of your kind (and patient) attention. And, as always, We Love You.|first=Jackson|last=Publick|date=September 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907230240/https://twitter.com/jacksonpublick/status/1303102212193705985|archive-date=September 7, 2020}}{{Cite web|last=Moreau|first=Jordan|date=September 8, 2020|title='The Venture Bros.' Canceled at Adult Swim After Seven Seasons|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/venture-bros-canceled-adult-swim-1234761672/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909163213/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/venture-bros-canceled-adult-swim-1234761672/|archive-date=September 9, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}

On September 7, 2020, Adult Swim stated that they were working to "find another way to continue the Venture Bros. story"."{{cite tweet |user=AdultSwim |number=1303162122520723456 |date=September 7, 2020 |title=We also want more Venture Bros. and have been working with Jackson and Doc to find another way to continue the Venture Bros. story.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909163220/https://twitter.com/adultswim/status/1303162122520723456|archive-date=September 9, 2020}} A number of creators weighed in on the decision. For instance, Owl House creator Dana Terrace criticized the cancellation, as did animator Bryan Brinkman, DuckTales producer Frank Angones, and other fans of the show.{{cite web|last1=Burton|first1=Bonnie|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/adult-swim-cancels-the-venture-bros-after-17-years/|title=Adult Swim cancels The Venture Bros after 17 years|website=CNET|date=September 7, 2020|access-date=September 9, 2020|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908170911/https://www.cnet.com/news/adult-swim-cancels-the-venture-bros-after-17-years/|archive-date=September 8, 2020}} A direct-to-video film continuation The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart was released on July 25, 2023.{{Cite web|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=May 12, 2021|title=Adult Swim Orders 'Venture Bros.', 'Aqua Teen Hunger Force', 'Metalocalypse' Movies|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/venture-bros-aqua-teen-hunger-force-movies-1234952010/|access-date=May 12, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}

{{Main|LGBT representation in The Simpsons}}

File:Matt Groening by Gage Skidmore -retouch.jpg and The Simpsons, at the 2009 Comic Con in San Diego]]

On December 17, 1989, the first episode of The Simpsons featured a gay character, Waylon Smithers, named after gay puppeteer Wayland Flowers.{{cite podcast|last1=Goertz|first1=Allie|last2=Prescott|first2=Julia|title=I Married Marge (with Jeff Martin)|publisher=Maximum Fun|date=8 August 2016|time=61:28|url=http://podbay.fm/show/979023994/e/1470639600|access-date=4 April 2018}} He was the first gay character to appear on a U.S. animated show.{{cite book |last1=Reiss |first1=Mike |last2=Klickstein |first2=Mathew |title=Springfield confidential: jokes, secrets, and outright lies from a lifetime writing for the Simpsons |date=2018 |publisher=Dey Street Books |isbn=978-0-06-274803-4 |page=103|location=New York City}} However, like other shows at the time, The Simpsons approached the subject gingerly, not drawing much attention to the sexuality of Smithers,{{cite video | people=Jean, Al|date=2001|title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode 'The Telltale Head'| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox|location=Los Angeles, California}} as he remained in the closet, officially, until 2016.{{cite web |last1=Siegel |first1=Alan |title=When 'The Simpsons' Came Out of the Closet |url=https://www.theringer.com/2017/2/8/16038570/simpsons-homers-phobia-john-waters-gay-lgbt-representation-tv-849196024467 |website=The Ringer |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216161834/https://www.theringer.com/2017/2/8/16038570/simpsons-homers-phobia-john-waters-gay-lgbt-representation-tv-849196024467 |archive-date=February 16, 2020 |date=February 8, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} One scholar would call The Simpsons "subversive" for satirizing and challenging social norms, traditional values, and LGBTQ representations.{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 247}} Even so, it was noted that Smithers is frequently dubbed as "Burns-sexual," which is used to hide his sexuality, and he has been passing his whole life, with his remaining in the closet a focus of many sketches and jokes in the show.{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 268}} He would also be described as a weird man who sticks to "his cartoonish closet" and as a person who is infatuated with a "vaguely homophobic" Mr. Burns, with allusions to this attraction beginning to be shown in the show's first season.{{Sfn |Walters | 2001 | p = 99}}{{Sfn | Capsuto | 2001 | p = 312-313}} Another scholar said that the sexuality of Smithers was clear from innuendos, although not explicitly stated, like him kissing Mr. Burns when everyone thinks the world is ending, in the November 1997 episode "Lisa the Skeptic".{{Cite book|title = The prime time closet: a history of gays and lesbians on TV |last = Tropiano|first = Stephen|publisher = Applause Theatre & Cinema Books|year = 2002|isbn = 978-1-55783-557-4|location = New York|access-date = September 18, 2024|url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/primetimecloseta00trop/mode/2up |chapter="Not That There's Anything Wrong With It": Homosexuality and Television Comedy |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/primetimecloseta00trop/page/238/mode/2up|page=239 }}

Many other characters in The Simpsons were secondary and rarely in positions of power. Waylon Smithers and Patty Bouvier were the only recurring gay characters.{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 255-256}} In October 1990, a Simpsons episode, titled "Simpson and Delilah," featured a stylish assistant, Karl,{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 255}} who helped Homer, whose sexuality is never mentioned, even though the person voicing him (Harvey Fierstein) is a gay playwright.{{cite video |people=Jean, Al |date=2002 |title=Commentary for the episode "Simpson and Delilah". The Simpsons: The Complete Second Season |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}{{cite book |last=Ortved |first=John |title=The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History |year=2009 |publisher=Greystone Books |isbn=978-1-55365-503-9 |pages=248–250}}{{cite magazine |title=Springfield of Dreams: 16 Great 'Simpsons' Guest Stars |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=May 11, 2008 |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20049408_6,00.html |access-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514192211/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20049408_6,00.html|archive-date=May 14, 2008}} He is relisted in [https://ew.com/gallery/simpsons-21-great-guest-stars/?slide=384099#384099 a 2010 article] on Simpsons guest stars as well In the episode, Karl and Homer kiss in what some say is the first animated male-male kiss to air on network television.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2000/06/09/sweeps-brings-smooches/ |title=Sweeps brings smooches |first=Ken |last=Tucker |access-date=January 11, 2021 |date=June 9, 2000 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403152014/https://ew.com/article/2000/06/09/sweeps-brings-smooches/|archive-date=April 3, 2015|url-status=live }}{{Sfn | Capsuto | 2001 | p = 331}}

Series creator Matt Groening, when asked in a 1991 interview if Karl was gay, said "he's whatever you want him to be" and added that including Karl was "beyond any other cartoon," even though some gay viewers were disappointed that the character did not identify himself as gay.{{cite journal|last=Sadownick |first=Doug |title=Groening Against the Grain; Maverick Cartoonist Matt Groening Draws in Readers With Gay Characters Akbar and Jeff |journal=Advocate |issue=571 |date=February 26, 1991 |url=http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/groening91.html |access-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070920213341/http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/groening91.html |archive-date=September 20, 2007 }} Groening also said there was a lack of gay characters in cartoons due to "virulent homophobia" in U.S. culture and stated that Karl had an unrequited attraction for Homer.{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 265}}{{Sfn | Capsuto | 2001 | p = 313}} Groening was also the cartoonist for the newspaper strip Life in Hell which included a recurring gay couple, named Akbar and Jeff.{{Sfn | Capsuto | 2001 | p = 312}} Later episodes would also feature LGBTQ characters and moments. Homer would visit a lesbian bar with pink Venus symbols and butch-femme couples, in the December 1994 episode "Fear of Flying", and exclaim, "This lesbian bar doesn't have a fire exit! Enjoy your death trap, ladies!",{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 252}} a scene that was a parody of a typical episode of the comedy series Cheers.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season6/page11.shtml |title=Fear of Flying |access-date=September 23, 2021 |author1=Martyn, Warren |author2=Wood, Adrian |year=2000 |publisher=BBC}} By 1996, the show was said to have a recurring or well-developed LGBTQ character, like other shows on TV at the time.{{Sfn | Capsuto | 2001 | p = 366}}

A February 16, 1997 Simpsons episode, titled "Homer's Phobia", featured John Waters, a gay filmmaker, as a gay man who helps Homer Simpson confront his homophobia.{{cite web |last1=Silver |first1=Stephen |title=Gayest Episode Ever: How John Waters Helped 'The Simpsons' Get LGBT Representation Right |url=https://hornet.com/stories/gay-simpsons-episode/ |website=Hornet |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515020624/https://hornet.com/stories/gay-simpsons-episode/ |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |date=April 23, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 255}} The episode also pokes at general homophobia in U.S. society as a whole. The episode, came during a time there were unspoken limits on what LGBTQ content could be shown on TV, with some arguing that "Homer's Phobia" did more, in terms of awareness and exposing intolerance, than "any live action show at the time."{{cite web |last1=Mills |first1=Ted |title=When John Waters Appeared on The Simpsons and Changed America's LGBTQ Views (1997) |url=http://www.openculture.com/2019/05/when-john-waters-appeared-on-the-simpsons-and-changed-americas-lgbtq-views-1997.html |website=Open Culture |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215054901/http://www.openculture.com/2019/05/when-john-waters-appeared-on-the-simpsons-and-changed-americas-lgbtq-views-1997.html |archive-date=February 15, 2020 |date=May 23, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Others stated that in the episode Homer learned a "valuable lesson about tolerance" as he said he would okay with any of Bart's lifestyle choices, and that it took on stereotypes and employing them "even when it foregrounds their patent silliness," including visiting a gay steel mill, only respecting John as a gay man after he saves Bart from an angry reindeer.{{Cite book|title = Gay characters in theatre, movies, and television: new roles, new attitudes |last = Seba |first = Jaime |publisher = Mason Crest Publishers |year = 2011|isbn = 978-1-4222-2012-2|location = Broomall, Pennsylvania |chapter-url = https://archive.org/details/gaycharactersint0000seba/page/48/mode/2up |access-date = September 24, 2021|chapter = Out on the Small Screen |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/gaycharactersint0000seba |pages=51–52}}{{Sfn |Walters | 2001 | p = 72-74, 97}} {{Sfn | Capsuto | 2001 | p = 313, 370}} One scholar, Stephen Tropiano, even rated it as one of the funniest sitcom episodes with LGBTQ themes.{{Cite book|title = The prime time closet: a history of gays and lesbians on TV |last = Tropiano|first = Stephen|publisher = Applause Theatre & Cinema Books|year = 2002|isbn = 978-1-55783-557-4|location = New York|access-date = September 25, 2021|url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/primetimecloseta00trop/mode/2up |chapter=Appendix: Gay /Lesbian / Bisexual / Transgender TV Episode Guide |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/primetimecloseta00trop/page/312/mode/2up|page=313 }}

Adventure Time began airing on Cartoon Network in April 2010. The show introduced viewers to two queer characters: Marceline the Vampire Queen and Princess Bubblegum, with Rebecca Sugar trying to foster the relationship between these two characters through her work on the show,{{cite web |last1=Costa |first1=Bo |title=Six Degrees of Rebecca Sugar: The Long Road to Bubbline and Beyond |url=https://www.thefandomentals.com/six-degrees-of-rebecca-sugar-the-long-road-to-bubbline-and-beyond/ |website=The Fandomentals |access-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412021810/https://www.thefandomentals.com/six-degrees-of-rebecca-sugar-the-long-road-to-bubbline-and-beyond/ |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |date=September 18, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} Sugar would face pushback for years from the Cartoon Network Studio for having Marceline the Vampire Queen and Princess Bubblegum in Adventure Time together, as the studio was concerned about "distribution in countries where being gay or lesbian was censored in media and considered a crime." On September 26, 2011, Adventure Time began hinting at romantic subtext{{cite web |last1=Nichols |first1=Brittani |title="Adventure Time"'s Animated Lesbian Subtext Is Too Hot for TV' |url=https://www.autostraddle.com/adventure-time-censored-for-exploring-lesbian-subtext-112941/ |website=Autostraddle |access-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505050528/https://www.autostraddle.com/adventure-time-censored-for-exploring-lesbian-subtext-112941/ |archive-date=May 5, 2020 |date=September 30, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} between two characters, Marcy and Bonnie, called "Bubbline" by fans, with the airing of the episode "What Was Missing".{{cite web |last1=Ewart |first1=Asia |title=Four cartoons that are leading the way in LGBT visibility |url=https://www.metro.us/entertainment/four-cartoons-that-are-leading-the-way-in-lgbt-visibility/ |website=Metro |access-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704172142/http://www.metro.us/entertainment/four-cartoons-that-are-leading-the-way-in-lgbt-visibility/zsJogi---ekjB9tKntGMWg |archive-date=July 4, 2016 |date=July 10, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{better source needed|date=September 2024}}

On September 3, 2018, the season finale of Adventure Time, "Come Along With Me" aired on Cartoon Network, which confirmed Marcy and Bonnie as a couple, as they kissed in the episode.{{cite web |last1=Adegoke |first1=Yomi |title=Move over, Disney! Meet the woman leading the LGBT cartoon revolution |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/oct/01/move-over-disney-meet-rebecca-sugar-the-woman-leading-the-lgbt-cartoon-revolution-steven-universe-adventure-time |website=The Guardian |access-date=March 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307010029/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/oct/01/move-over-disney-meet-rebecca-sugar-the-woman-leading-the-lgbt-cartoon-revolution-steven-universe-adventure-time |archive-date=March 7, 2020 |date=October 1, 2019 |url-status=live}} After the episode aired, some would argue that the on-screen confirmation of the same-sex romance showed that the "cartoon landscape has changed during Adventure Time's run,"{{cite web |last1=Sava |first1=Oliver |title=Adventure Time concludes with a celebration of what makes it so special |url=https://www.avclub.com/adventure-time-concludes-with-a-celebration-of-what-mak-1828785830 |website=The A.V. Club |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220070929/https://tv.avclub.com/adventure-time-concludes-with-a-celebration-of-what-mak-1828785830 |archive-date=February 20, 2020 |date=September 3, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} Some said the episode invited viewers to re-examine the past interactions of Bonnie and Marcy "through a queer lens" while impacting the animation world and TV industry.{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Darrell |title=The Changing Representation of LGBTQ Cartoon Characters |url=https://csusaber.com/opinion/the-changing-representation-of-lgbtq-cartoon-characters/ |website=The Saber |publisher=Columbus State University |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327045352/https://csusaber.com/opinion/the-changing-representation-of-lgbtq-cartoon-characters/ |archive-date=March 27, 2020 |date=November 12, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} One reviewer, Mey Rude of .them, argued that without the show, there would be no Steven Universe, Clarence, Summer Camp Island, or Rick and Morty.{{cite web |last1=Rude |first1=Mey |title=Bubbline Is CANON: 7 Gayest Moments From Adventure Time's Cutest Relationship |url=https://www.them.us/story/bubbline-is-canon-adventure-time |website=THEM |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115180337/https://www.them.us/story/bubbline-is-canon-adventure-time |archive-date=November 15, 2019 |date=September 3, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} Other critics praised the kiss between Marceline and Bubblegum, calling it "historic" and saying the finale was "more than queerbaiting" but rather a "true romantic relationship."{{cite web |last1=Fleener |first1=S.E. |title=The Awesome and Unexpected Queering of Adventure Time |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-awesome-and-unexpected-queering-of-adventure-time |website=Syfy |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617202815/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-awesome-and-unexpected-queering-of-adventure-time |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |date=June 17, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

File:Olivia Olson (29942353490).jpg]]

The Adventure Time: Distant Lands series, the name for four hour-long streaming television specials based on the American animated television series Adventure Time, which began streaming on HBO Max, expanded on the story of Marceline and Bonnibel. The second episode of that series, "Obsidian," brought together Marceline, Princess Bubblegum, and Glassboy, the latter who is voiced by Michaela Dietz, who voiced Amethyst in Steven Universe.{{cite web |last1=Prudom |first1=Laura |title=Adventure Time: Distant Lands - Obsidian: Exclusive Release Date and Trailer Reveal |date=November 9, 2020 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/adventure-time-obsidian-release-date-trailer |publisher=IGN |access-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109190150/https://www.ign.com/articles/adventure-time-obsidian-release-date-trailer |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |url-status=live}} In this special, Marcy, living with Bonnie, is anxious about revisiting the Glass Kingdom as it holds bad memories, but she and Bonnie are forced to confront this "rocky past" as they face off against an ancient, dangerous, and powerful dragon. Some critics, such as Laura Prudom for Pride.com, described Bonnie and Marcy living a "happy, gay life together" which they always deserved, and predicted that the series would be full of "action, brand new songs, and classic Adventure Time weirdness and heart".{{cite web |last1=Prudom |first1=Laura |title=Marceline & Bubblegum Are Back in Adventure Time: Obsidian |date=November 10, 2020 |url=https://www.pride.com/geek/2020/11/10/marceline-bubblegum-are-back-adventure-time-obsidian |publisher=Pride.com |access-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110155540/https://www.pride.com/geek/2020/11/10/marceline-bubblegum-are-back-adventure-time-obsidian |archive-date=November 10, 2020 |url-status=live}} Rebecca Long wrote, for Polygon, that the episode gives fans the "emotional payoff and answers" they have been yearning for and that the special uses the plot to explore Marceline's childhood trauma, her romantic history with Bubblegum, how the two are interconnected, and fills in gaps about her past.{{Cite web |language=en-US |last=Long |first=Rebecca |date=November 19, 2020 |access-date=November 20, 2020 |url=https://www.polygon.com/animation-cartoons/2020/11/19/21575677/adventure-time-distant-lands-obsidian-review-bubbline |publisher=Polygon |title=The new Adventure Time special is the scary, sad, sweet payoff that fans demanded |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120142827/https://www.polygon.com/animation-cartoons/2020/11/19/21575677/adventure-time-distant-lands-obsidian-review-bubbline |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |url-status=live}} Other critics, such as Rosie Knight for IGN, gave a similar assessment.{{Cite web |language=en-US |last=Knight |first=Rosie |date=November 19, 2020 |access-date=November 20, 2020 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/adventure-time-distant-lands-obsidian-review-hbo-max |publisher=IGN |title=HBO Max's Adventure Time: Distant Lands - Obsidian Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120143754/https://www.ign.com/articles/adventure-time-distant-lands-obsidian-review-hbo-max |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |url-status=live}}

In November 2013, Steven Universe began airing on Cartoon Network. The show would focus on a half-alien, half-Gem child named Steven Universe, who is raised by three non-binary space aliens: Pearl, Garnet (a fusion of Ruby and Sapphire), and Amethyst, which are female-presenting, using she/her pronouns, in a non-traditional family,{{cite web |last1=Kirichanskaya |first1=Michele |title=Steven Universe, She-Ra, & Voltron: LGBTQIA+ Successes, Failures, and Hopes for the Future in Children's Animation |url=https://www.themarysue.com/steven-universe-she-ra-voltron-lgbtqia-rep/ |website=The Mary Sue |access-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321095108/https://www.themarysue.com/steven-universe-she-ra-voltron-lgbtqia-rep/ |archive-date=March 21, 2020 |date=February 7, 2020 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} with a Steven's father, Greg, living in a van and running a car wash. While Rebecca Sugar, whose series built upon her work on Adventure Time in the years prior, had received direct notes about LGBTQ characters in her show, Steven Universe in previous years, in 2015, the studio executives told her that while she had a choice to make Ruby and Sapphire LGBTQ, some countries might pull back the series and the series itself could be cancelled. In 2016, Sugar came out as bisexual at San Diego Comic-Con and started to speak more openly on LGBTQ issues in Steven Universe and in the industry. She later said she had to come out because it was hard for her to "try and make heteronormative art." As a result, Sugar began advocating more for her characters.

In July 2018, the Steven Universe episode, "Reunited" aired, becoming the "first gay proposal and wedding episode," and making "kids' animation history." The episode was praised for its execution, focus on the show's core themes, and queer representation.{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/its-time-for-a-joyous-wedding-and-a-tense-family-reunio-1827261187|title=It's time for a joyous wedding and a tense family reunion as Steven Universe is "Reunited"|first=Eric|last=Thurm|work=The A.V. Club|date=July 6, 2018|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004202415/https://www.avclub.com/its-time-for-a-joyous-wedding-and-a-tense-family-reunio-1827261187|archive-date=October 4, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/tv/2018/7/6/17543096/steven-universes-season-5-reunited-ending|title=Steven Universe's 'Reunited' prepares us for the end of the series|first=Palmer|last=Haasch|work=Polygon|date=July 6, 2018|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811175032/https://www.polygon.com/tv/2018/7/6/17543096/steven-universes-season-5-reunited-ending|archive-date=August 11, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/tv/2018/7/9/17549458/steven-universe-wedding-queer-love-ruby-sapphire|title=Steven Universe's message of love is emphatically queer|first=Lux|last=Alptraum|work=Polygon|date=July 9, 2018|access-date=March 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416111919/https://www.polygon.com/tv/2018/7/9/17549458/steven-universe-wedding-queer-love-ruby-sapphire|archive-date=April 16, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Henderson |first1=Taylor |title=Steven Universe Makes LGBT History with Same-Sex Wedding |url=https://www.pride.com/stevenuniverse/2018/7/11/steven-universe-makes-lgbt-history-same-sex-wedding |website=Pride.com |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103050421/https://www.pride.com/stevenuniverse/2018/7/11/steven-universe-makes-lgbt-history-same-sex-wedding |archive-date=November 3, 2019 |date=July 11, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} At the 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, the episode was nominated for Outstanding Short-Format Animated Program,{{Cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/steven-universe|title = Steven Universe|website=Emmy Awards|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412153631/https://www.emmys.com/shows/steven-universe|archive-date=April 12, 2024}} In December 2019, the limited epilogue series, Steven Universe Future began airing on Cartoon Network. The series included a one-time non-binary character named Shep (voiced by Indya Moore), the romantic interest of Sadie.{{cite web |last1=Kelley |first1=Shamus |title=Steven Universe Future Episode 9 Review: Little Graduation|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/steven-universe-future-episode-9-review-little-graduation/ |website=Den of Geek |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422024242/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/steven-universe-future-episode-9-review-little-graduation/ |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |date=December 19, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} The series showed a character, Bismuth, have a crush on another character (Pearl) in the episode "Bismuth Casual."{{cite web |last1=Kelley |first1=Shamus |title=Steven Universe Future Episode 12 Review: Bismuth Casual |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/steven-universe-future-episode-12-review-bismuth-casual/ |magazine=Den of Geek |access-date=July 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710171151/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/steven-universe-future-episode-12-review-bismuth-casual/ |archive-date=July 10, 2020 |date=March 6, 2020 |url-status=live}}

On September 2, 2019, Steven Universe: The Movie premiered on Cartoon Network. It included Ruby, Sapphire, and Pearl, lesbian characters from the original Steven Universe series. In the film, after Spinel rides in to Earth on a planet-destroying weapons and attacks Steven Universe and the other three Crystal Gems (Pearl, Garnet, and Amethyst),{{cite web |last1=Holloway |first1=Daniel |title='Steven Universe' Creator Looks Back on Her Groundbreaking Series as It Comes to a Close |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/features/rebecca-sugar-cartoon-network-steven-universe-1203537231/ |website=Variety |access-date=April 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405040853/https://variety.com/2020/tv/features/rebecca-sugar-cartoon-network-steven-universe-1203537231/ |archive-date=April 5, 2020 |date=March 18, 2020 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} causing all them to be "rejuvenated" into their original forms.{{cite web |last1=Zachary |first1=Brandon |title=Steven Universe: The Movie Features the Scariest (and Most Tragic) Gem Ever |url=https://www.cbr.com/steven-universe-the-movie-scariest-villain-spinel/ |website=CBR |access-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920211555/https://www.cbr.com/steven-universe-the-movie-scariest-villain-spinel/ |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |date=September 4, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} As Pearl and Amethyst are left with a sort of amnesia, Garnet splits into her component pieces: Ruby and Sapphire.{{cite web |last1=Pulliam-Moore |first1=Charles |title=Steven Universe: The Movie's New Fusion Is Remixed Storytelling At Its Best |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2019/09/steven-universe-the-movies-new-fusion-is-remixed-storytelling-at-its-best/ |website=Kotaku |access-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325220839/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2019/09/steven-universe-the-movies-new-fusion-is-remixed-storytelling-at-its-best/ |archive-date=March 25, 2020 |date=September 4, 2019 |df=mdy-all}} While Steven works with his friends to bring back the memories of Pearl and Amethyst, he also recreates the moment which brought Ruby and Sapphire together into Garnet, and is successful in restoring Garnet first to "cotton candy" form, then to her original self. Garnet also sings a song about love, titled "Isn't It Love?".{{cite web |last1=Pulliam-Moore |first1=Charles |last2=Whitbrook |first2=James |title=io9 Discusses the Musical Delights of Steven Universe: The Movie's Killer Soundtrack |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/io9-discusses-the-musical-delights-of-steven-universe-1837942363 |website=Gizmodo |access-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819084359/https://io9.gizmodo.com/io9-discusses-the-musical-delights-of-steven-universe-1837942363 |archive-date=August 19, 2020 |date=September 10, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} Furthermore, in the process of getting

Amethyst and Steven work together to get her memories back, including Amethyst transforming into Rose, who she calls Pearl's "love of her life."

On December 19, 2014, The Legend of Korra, a Nickelodeon show, aired their season finale, which showed Korra and Asami holding hands,{{cite web |last1=Konietzko |first1=Bryan |title=Korrasami is canon. |url=https://bryankonietzko.tumblr.com/post/105916338157/korrasami-is-canon-you-can-celebrate-it-embrace |website=Tumblr |access-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208061839/https://bryankonietzko.tumblr.com/post/105916338157/korrasami-is-canon-you-can-celebrate-it-embrace |archive-date=February 8, 2020 |date=December 22, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} showing they are in a relationship.{{cite web |last1=Chirdo |first1=Maggie |title=Feeling Sapphic: How Velma Shaped Lesbian Culture |url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/scooby-doo-velma-influenced-lesbian-culture |website=Bitch |access-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914234648/https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/scooby-doo-velma-influenced-lesbian-culture |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |date=July 21, 2020 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |last1=Mak |first1=Philip |title=Five family-friendly LGBTQ animated series for Pride Month |url=https://blog.toonboom.com/lgbtq-family-friendly-animated-series-pride-month |website=Toon Boom |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713120757/https://blog.toonboom.com/lgbtq-family-friendly-animated-series-pride-month |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |date=March 26, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} As such, the show became one of the first western children's animation series to not only feature major LGBT characters, but also a lead LGBT character.{{cite news|last1=Robinson|first1=Joanna|title=How a Nickelodeon Cartoon Became One of the Most Powerful, Subversive Shows of 2014|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/2014/12/korra-series-finale-recap-gay-asami|access-date=19 December 2014|work=Vanity Fair|date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712194716/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/12/korra-series-finale-recap-gay-asami|archive-date=July 12, 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=IGN Staff|title=The Legend of Korra: IGN Editors React to the Ending and Korrasami|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/24/the-legend-of-korra-ign-editors-react-to-the-ending-and-korrasami|access-date=25 December 2014|work=IGN|date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328132502/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/24/the-legend-of-korra-ign-editors-react-to-the-ending-and-korrasami|archive-date=March 28, 2019}} One of the show creators, Michael Dante DiMartino confirmed Korra and Asami as having romantic feeling together, while the other show creator Bryan Konietzko said he was "very proud' of the ending, and that while he loved "how their relationship arc took its time," there was a limit to how much they could go with in the show. He also hoped that the show would move LGBTQ representation forward.{{cite web|last=Ehrhardt|first=Michelle|url=https://www.out.com/popnography/2014/12/23/understanding-legend-korras-queer-ending|title=Understanding Korra's Queer Ending|website=Out|date=December 23, 2014|access-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810080437/https://www.out.com/popnography/2014/12/23/understanding-legend-korras-queer-ending|archive-date=August 10, 2021|url-status=live}}

In the aftermath of series finale, which aired on Nickelodeon and Nick.com, there were debates about "queer representation in children's media."{{cite web |last1=Kang |first1=Aiyi |title=The effect of LGBT characters in our generation |url=https://sundial.csun.edu/88642/cultureclash-lifestyle/the-effect-of-lgbt-characters-in-our-generation/ |website=The Sundial |publisher=California State University Northridge |access-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318042829/https://sundial.csun.edu/88642/cultureclash-lifestyle/the-effect-of-lgbt-characters-in-our-generation/ |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |date=March 4, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Some, such as Mey Rude of Autostraddle, noted that while the relationship between two bisexual characters, Korra and Asami, was built up during the course of the series, the words "I love you" were never uttered, nor did the characters kiss.{{cite web |last1=Rude |first1=Mey |title="Steven Universe" and the Importance of All-Ages Queer Representation |url=https://www.autostraddle.com/steven-universe-and-the-importance-of-all-ages-queer-representation-281482/ |website=Autostraddle|access-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408231750/https://www.autostraddle.com/steven-universe-and-the-importance-of-all-ages-queer-representation-281482/ |archive-date=April 8, 2020 |date=March 13, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Lena Dean of Bitch described the episode "a romantic ending for...a canon couple made up of two bisexual women": Korra and Asami, but criticized that while a kiss was implied, it was "not allowed on screen by Nickelodeon." The relationship between Korra and Asami was also portrayed in the later comics, such as The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars,{{cite magazine|last=Holub|first=Christian|url=https://ew.com/books/2019/07/16/the-rise-of-kyoshi-avatar-the-last-airbender/|title=How The Rise of Kyoshi YA novel finds new things to love about Avatar: The Last Airbender|date=July 16, 2019|magazine=EW|access-date=June 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603113743/https://ew.com/books/2019/07/16/the-rise-of-kyoshi-avatar-the-last-airbender/|archive-date=June 3, 2020|url-status=live}} with commenters and reviewers, such as Doug Madison of the Washington Post and Zosha Millman of Vulture, stating that the series paved the path for further queer representation.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/09/16/how-legend-korra-changed-landscape-queer-representation-animated-shows/|title=How 'The Legend of Korra' changed the landscape of queer representation in animated shows|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Madison|last=Dong|date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210203165632/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/09/16/how-legend-korra-changed-landscape-queer-representation-animated-shows/?arc404=true|archive-date=February 3, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/legend-of-korra-korrasami-queer-characters-kids-tv-legacy.html|title=Legend of Korra Walked So Queer Characters on Kids' TV Could Kiss|website=Vulture|date=August 19, 2020|first=Zosha|last=Millman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203170155/https://www.vulture.com/article/legend-of-korra-korrasami-queer-characters-kids-tv-legacy.html|archive-date=February 3, 2021|url-status=live}}

In January 2020, The Owl House began airing on the Disney Channel. The show dropped subtext and hints that several characters within the show are LGBTQ+.{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Tim |title=The Owl House: Disney Animated Series' LGBTQ+ Relationship is No Longer Subtext |url=https://www.cbr.com/owl-house-disney-lgbtq-relationship/ |website=CBR |access-date=August 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810013018/https://www.cbr.com/owl-house-disney-lgbtq-relationship/ |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |date=August 9, 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Tracy |title=The five TV shows you should be watching this week – "The Owl House" Disney Channel |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-08-10/the-owl-house-star-trek-lower-decks-handmaids-tale-homeland-the-other-one |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200812130841/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-08-10/the-owl-house-star-trek-lower-decks-handmaids-tale-homeland-the-other-one |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |date=August 10, 2020 |url-status=live }} The series openly presented and confirmed Disney's first animated LGBT+ female non-recurring character: Luz Noceda. She would later enter a relationship with Amity Blight, as shown in episodes like "Through the Looking Glass Ruins" and "Knock, Knock, Knockin' on Hooty's Door", with both praised as "fleshed-out characters" by Mey Rude of Out and Jade King of TheGamer.{{cite web|last=Rude|first=Mey|url=https://www.out.com/television/2021/7/12/owl-houses-luz-amity-just-had-their-gayest-episode-yet|title=The Owl House's Luz & Amity Just Had Their Gayest Episode Yet|website=Out|date=July 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712220742/https://www.out.com/television/2021/7/12/owl-houses-luz-amity-just-had-their-gayest-episode-yet|archive-date=July 12, 2021|access-date=July 12, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=King|first=Jade|url=https://www.thegamer.com/the-owl-house-season-3/|title=The Owl House Isn't Getting A Full Third Season And That Sucks|date=July 16, 2021|website=TheGamer|access-date=July 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718015016/https://www.thegamer.com/the-owl-house-season-3/|archive-date=July 18, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite tweet |author=GLAAD |author-link=GLAAD |user=glaad |number=1421901689590894593 |date=August 1, 2021 |title=We absolutely loved this week's episode of #TheOwlHouse! We're excited to see the series continue to explore Luz and Amity's relationship and for younger LGBTQ viewers to see this wonderful and affirming message in their favorite show. Check out a special clip! @DisneyChannel |access-date=August 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801235832/https://twitter.com/glaad/status/1421901689590894593 |archive-date=August 1, 2021 |url-status=live|ref=none}} Luz would later come out to her mother as bisexual in the third-season episode "Thanks to Them".{{cite web|last=King|first=Jade|url=https://www.thegamer.com/the-owl-house-new-york-comic-con-panel-season-3-thanks-to-them/|title=The Owl House New York Comic Con Panel Was A Bittersweet Return For A Beloved Show|website=TheGamer|date=October 7, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917160515/https://www.thegamer.com/the-owl-house-new-york-comic-con-panel-season-3-thanks-to-them/|archive-date=September 17, 2024}}{{cite web|last=King|first=Jade|url=https://www.thegamer.com/the-owl-house-thanks-to-them-review/|title=The Owl House: Thanks To Them Review - This Mama Wasn't Ready For Trauma|website=TheGamer|date=October 14, 2022|access-date=October 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603120105/https://www.thegamer.com/the-owl-house-thanks-to-them-review/|archive-date=June 3, 2023|url-status=live}}

The series would also feature a non-binary character named Raine Whispers, who goes by they/them pronouns and is voiced by transgender and non-binary actor Avi Roque, and is Disney's first non-binary character.{{cite web|url=https://www.out.com/television/2021/7/23/owl-house-introducing-new-nonbinary-character-show|title=The Owl House Is Introducing a New Nonbinary Character to the Show|last=Rude|first=Mey|work=Out Magazine|date=July 23, 2021|access-date=July 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724023720/https://www.out.com/television/2021/7/23/owl-house-introducing-new-nonbinary-character-show|archive-date=July 24, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Lovejoy|first=Hannah|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a37120223/disney-first-non-binary-character-owl-house/|title=Disney introduces first non-binary character in TV series The Owl House|website=Digital Spy|date=July 25, 2021|access-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726210924/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a37120223/disney-first-non-binary-character-owl-house/|archive-date=July 26, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Martinez|first=Kiko|url=https://remezcla.com/culture/first-non-binary-character-disney-series-owl-house-raine-whispers/|title=Meet First Non-Binary Character on Disney's Barrier-Breaking 'The Owl House'|website=Remezcla|date=July 29, 2021|access-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729174126/https://remezcla.com/culture/first-non-binary-character-disney-series-owl-house-raine-whispers/|archive-date=July 29, 2021|url-status=live}} The series finale would reveal King's father "Papa Titan" to be bigender as he refers to himself as both a king and queen.{{cite web|last=Hogan|first=Heather|url=https://www.autostraddle.com/the-owl-house-ends-with-a-gloriously-gay-sendoff/|title="The Owl House" Ends With a Gloriously Gay Sendoff|website=Autostraddle|date=April 10, 2023|access-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423140346/https://www.autostraddle.com/the-owl-house-ends-with-a-gloriously-gay-sendoff/|archive-date=April 23, 2024|url-status=live}} The series would be described, prior to its final season, by Randy Jones of Them, as making "queer Disney history" having a legacy that would "be remembered."{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Randy|url=https://www.them.us/story/the-owl-house-season-3-lgbtq-representation-disney|title=The Owl House Made Queer Disney History. Its Legacy Will Be Remembered|website=Them|date=October 14, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812124336/https://www.them.us/story/the-owl-house-season-3-lgbtq-representation-disney|archive-date=August 12, 2024|url-status=live}}

On October 5, 2021, in an AMA on Reddit, Dana Terrace, the creator of The Owl House, explained the show was cancelled not because of ratings or COVID-19 pandemic but rather because businesspeople at Disney believed it did not fit "into the Disney brand." She stated that this was the case due to the serialized nature of the show and an audience which "skews older," rather than due to its LGBTQ+ representation, saying she would not "assume bad faith" against those she works with in Los Angeles. She also noted that due to the pandemic, budgets were constrained, episodes were cut, and noted that she was not allowed to present a case for a fourth season, and said she believed there was a future for the show if Disney Television had "different people in charge."{{cite web|last=Zogbi|first=Emily|url=https://www.cbr.com/owl-house-creator-disney-exec-brand-fit/|title=Owl House Was Canceled Due To Exec Deciding It Didn't Fit the Disney Brand|website=CBR|date=October 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005225255/https://www.cbr.com/owl-house-creator-disney-exec-brand-fit/|archive-date=October 5, 2021|url-status=live}}

Bojack Horseman, airing from 2014 to 2020 on Netflix, featured a number of LGBTQ+ characters. For instance, Hollyhock, a female teenage horse and Bojack's sister, has eight adoptive fathers (Dashawn Manheim, Steve Mannheim, Jose Guerrero, Cupe Robinson III, Otto Zilberschlag, Arturo "Ice Man" Fonzerelli, Gregory Hsung, and Quackers McQuack) in a polyamorous gay relationship.{{cite news|last=Nickalls|first=Sammy|title=The Tricky Problem With Hollyhock in 'BoJack Horseman' Season 4|url=https://dotandline.net/hollyhock-bojack-horseman-season-4-456f9384f8b9/|newspaper=The Dot and Line|date=September 21, 2017|access-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327045505/https://dotandline.net/hollyhock-bojack-horseman-season-4-456f9384f8b9/|archive-date=March 27, 2020}} Todd Chavez in the season 3 finale, "That Went Well," Todd confides in his friend Emily that he does not think he is either straight or gay, and in fact "might be nothing". He explores the identity further in season 4 and accepts his asexuality, while meeting others who share his orientation.{{cite web|last1=Nickalls|first1=Sammy|title=Todd Chavez Is TV's First Out-and-Proud Asexual Icon|url=https://dotandline.net/todd-chavez-asexual-bojack-horseman-season-4-8e426437c2b4|website=The Dot and Line|date=September 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317201221/https://dotandline.net/todd-chavez-asexual-bojack-horseman-season-4-8e426437c2b4?gi=f191fc62949e|archive-date=March 17, 2019|url-status=live}}

File:Aaron Paul (29734396088) (cropped).jpg in 2018; Paul voiced Todd Chavez in Bojack Horseman]]

Todd's character was received positively. Them called the character "deeply relatable" and said the series was willing to "examine asexuality in an unprecedented way", including the inclusion of Yolanda Buenaventura as another asexual character, and they enter a relationship with one another, while shedding some light on "some of the nuances of asexuality and dating," then their relationship later ends.{{cite web|last=Cuby|first=Michael|url=https://www.them.us/story/bojack-horseman-asexuality|title=Why I Find BoJack Horseman's Depiction of Asexuality Deeply Relatable|website=Them|date=September 26, 2018|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603034035/https://www.them.us/story/bojack-horseman-asexuality|archive-date=June 3, 2023|url-status=live}} CBR described Todd as "unique and meaningful representation", opposing harmful asexual stereotypes present in Sherlock and Dexter, and addresses "preexisting assumptions" about asexual people.{{cite web|last=Power|first=Brian|url=https://www.cbr.com/bojack-horseman-netflix-todd-asexual-representation/|title=How Bojack Horseman's Todd Was Unique for Asexual Representation|website=CBR|date=June 16, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621082926/https://www.cbr.com/bojack-horseman-netflix-todd-asexual-representation/|archive-date=June 21, 2023|url-status=live}} The Mary Sue praised Todd for being a realistic portrayal of sexuality, calling it "nothing short of mind-boggling" and argued there was "still a lot of room to explore Todd's asexuality".{{cite web|author=Nico W.|url=https://www.themarysue.com/bojack-horseman-asexual-representation/|title= BoJack Horseman Delivers the Asexual Representation We Need|website=The Mary Sue|date=August 17, 2016|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423015918/https://www.themarysue.com/bojack-horseman-asexual-representation/|archive-date=April 23, 2024|url-status=live}} Affinity Magazine argued that the series thoughtfully portrayed asexuality, specifically through Todd's character, and stated that series brought asexual issues to the fore "because asexual people have stories that deserve to be told."{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Grace|url=https://culture.affinitymagazine.us/how-netflixs-bojack-horseman-thoughtfully-portrays-asexuality/|title=How Netflix's 'BoJack Horseman' Thoughtfully Portrays Asexuality|website=Affinity Magazine|date=October 8, 2017|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425042654/https://culture.affinitymagazine.us/how-netflixs-bojack-horseman-thoughtfully-portrays-asexuality/|archive-date=April 25, 2024|url-status=live}}

MovieWeb, The Ringer, and Vox were praiseworthy, saying the series handles asexuality "perfectly", is a "realistic, understated depiction," and "changed asexual representation forever", while comparing it to other series, noting that Todd finds a support group "once he comes out".{{cite web|last=Abdi|first=Parvanae|url=https://movieweb.com/bojack-horseman-todd-asexual-icon/|title=Bojack Horseman: How Todd Became an Asexual Icon|website=MovieWeb|date=July 9, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614155825/https://movieweb.com/bojack-horseman-todd-asexual-icon/|archive-date=June 14, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Kliegman|first=Julie|url=https://www.theringer.com/2016/8/12/16046836/bojack-horseman-asexual-representation-netflix-3c9d6c80d49d|title=A Quiet Revolution on 'BoJack Horseman'|website=The Ringer|date=July 9, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713100431/https://www.theringer.com/2016/8/12/16046836/bojack-horseman-asexual-representation-netflix-3c9d6c80d49d|archive-date=July 13, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Ghaleb|first=Sara|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/3/26/16291562/asexuality-tv-history-bojack-shadowhunters-game-of-thrones|title=Asexuality is still hugely misunderstood. TV is slowly changing that.|website=Vox|date=July 9, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824131948/https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/3/26/16291562/asexuality-tv-history-bojack-shadowhunters-game-of-thrones|archive-date=August 24, 2023|url-status=live}} Spotlight Journal was more critical, saying that asexual characters in the series "perpetuate some of the most common and unreasonable stereotypes of asexual people, distorting the public's perspective", such as Todd's girlfriend, Yolanda, and second partner Maude, both of which are asexual, calling them "manic pixie dream girls" and saying that Todd's character reinforces some stereotypes.{{cite journal |last1=Fijman |first1=Sophia |date=May 2, 2022 |title=Misguided Monoliths: BoJack Horseman and the Reality of Asexuality |url=https://www.spotlightjournal.org/issue-iii/c8wrpyaklih2spq3xqebzij6qd8c2s |journal=Spotlight Journal |volume= |issue=3 |pages= |doi= |access-date=September 18, 2024}} The voice actor of Todd, Aaron Paul, also told BuzzFeed that he was proud to represent the asexual community and noted asexual fans of the show who were grateful for his character.{{cite web|last=Saint Thomas|first=Sophie|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/aaron-paul-bojack-horseman-asexual-el-camino-breaking-ba|title=Aaron Paul Revealed The Touching Response To His "BoJack" Character's Sexuality|website=BuzzFeedNews|date=October 24, 2019|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206191140/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/aaron-paul-bojack-horseman-asexual-el-camino-breaking-bad|archive-date=December 6, 2023|url-status=live}} Vivienne Medrano, creator of Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss, in an interview with Polygon, said that the series changed how she thought about expressing themes and character development in mature animation.{{cite interview |last=Medarno |first=Vivienne |interviewer= Petrana Radulovic |title=Hazbin Hotel creator says BoJack Horseman showed her what adult animation could be |work=Polygon |date=January 19, 2024 |url=https://www.polygon.com/24043306/hazbin-hotel-vivziepop-adult-animation-tv-interview |access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329035705/https://www.polygon.com/24043306/hazbin-hotel-vivziepop-adult-animation-tv-interview|archive-date=March 29, 2024|url-status=live}}

In October 2018, a protagonist in Big Mouth, Jay Bilzerian, came out as bisexual.{{cite web |last1=Villarreal |first1=Daniel |title=One of the kids on Netflix's puberty comedy 'Big Mouth' came out as bi |url=https://www.queerty.com/one-kids-netflixs-puberty-comedy-big-mouth-came-bi-20181015/ |website=Queerty |access-date=May 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324225709/https://www.queerty.com/one-kids-netflixs-puberty-comedy-big-mouth-came-bi-20181015 |archive-date=March 24, 2020 |date=October 15, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} The same year, Ali, a pansexual character, was introduced. Some, like Emily L. Stephen of The A.V. Club, criticized Ali's character as an oversimplification of the "relationship between private parts and gender identity," even as her existence was praised as putting the show ahead of "most television representations of sexual expression".{{cite web |last1=Stephen |first1=Emily L. |title=Big Mouth's third season is bigger and mouthier than ever |url=https://www.avclub.com/big-mouth-is-bigger-and-mouthier-than-ever-and-even-mo-1838723434 |website=The A.V. Club |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329113041/https://tv.avclub.com/big-mouth-is-bigger-and-mouthier-than-ever-and-even-mo-1838723434 |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |date=October 4, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} Others, such as Addissyn House of Bitch, praised the show has talking "honestly about sexuality, puberty, and desire for all genders",{{cite web|last=House|first=Addissyn|url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/when-sex-ed-fails-we-turn-to-pop-culture|title=Better Than Sex Ed: Pop Culture Is Teaching Teens About Sex|website=Bitch|date=August 13, 2021|access-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825070656/https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/when-sex-ed-fails-we-turn-to-pop-culture|archive-date=August 25, 2021|url-status=live}} Following a negative audience response, in October 2019, series co-creator Andrew Goldberg took responsibility for their misstep in the episode, saying they "missed the mark here with this definition of bisexuality vs. pansexuality" and said that thanked the trans, pan, and bi communities for "further opening our eyes to these important and complicated issues of representation" and said that he, and the other crew "are listening and we look forward to delving into all of this in future seasons."{{cite web|last=Ramos|first=Dino-Ray|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/big-mouth-co-creator-andrew-goldberg-netflix-pansexuality-bisexuality-lgbtq-1202756202|title='Big Mouth' Creators Admit Series "Missed The Mark" With Definition Of Pansexuality|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=October 9, 2019|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318205952/https://deadline.com/2019/10/big-mouth-co-creator-andrew-goldberg-netflix-pansexuality-bisexuality-lgbtq-1202756202/|archive-date=March 18, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Warner|first=Sam|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a29396807/big-mouth-lgbtq-controversy-ali-wong/|title=Big Mouth creator responds to LGBTQ+ controversy and admits "we missed the mark"|website=Digital Spy|date=October 8, 2019|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918145852/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a29396807/big-mouth-lgbtq-controversy-ali-wong/|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}}

The series LGBTQ representation received a mixed reception. Rachel Charlene Lewis of Bitch, criticized the show for misrepresenting pansexuality,{{cite web|last=Lewis|first=Rachel Charlene|url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/big-mouth-season-three-bisexual-pansexual-representation|title="Big Mouth" Endlessly Explores Sexuality, but Still Stumbles on Queerness|website=Bitch|date=October 13, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527050124/https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/big-mouth-season-three-bisexual-pansexual-representation|archive-date=May 27, 2021|url-status=live}} Later, she stated that the fourth season made up for past "queer missteps", noted that the series "embraced LGBTQ storylines" from the beginning, and called it "one of the best queer series on TV right now."{{cite web|last=Lewis|first=Rachel Charlene|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/netflix-s-big-mouth-season-4-makes-past-queer-missteps-ncna1250065|title=Netflix's 'Big Mouth' Season 4 makes up for past queer missteps in a rollicking return to form|website=NBC News|date=December 5, 2020|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025053108/https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/netflix-s-big-mouth-season-4-makes-past-queer-missteps-ncna1250065|archive-date=October 25, 2023|url-status=live}} SYFY's Kayleigh Donaldson said that although the series had a "great depiction of discovering one's bisexuality" in the third season, the introduction of Ali, and her explanation of pansexuality was "neither funny nor accurate."{{cite web|last=Donaldson|first=Kayleigh|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/what-big-mouth-gets-right-and-wrong-about-bisexuality|title=What Big Mouth gets right and wrong about bisexuality|website=SYFY|date=October 11, 2019|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519132722/https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/what-big-mouth-gets-right-and-wrong-about-bisexuality|archive-date=May 19, 2022|url-status=live}} Justin Kirkland praised, in Esquire, the gay character of Matthew (voiced by Andrew Rannells), saying the series managed to make his character and realistic, calling it "a feat in itself for an animated series."{{cite web|last=Kirkland|first=Justin|url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a29254707/big-mouth-season-3-matthew-andrew-rannells/|title=Big Mouth's Matthew Is the Kind of Gay TV Character I Wish I'd Had as a Kid|website=Esquire|date=October 6, 2019|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102160849/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a29254707/big-mouth-season-3-matthew-andrew-rannells/|archive-date=November 2, 2023|url-status=live}}

Reviewers responded more positively to the show's fourth season. Samantha Lewis of Them called the trans character Natalie, a "close-to-ideal representation of trans life on screen."{{cite web|last=Lewis|first=Samantha|url=https://www.them.us/story/big-mouth-season-four-josie-totah-patti-harrison-transgender-character|title=I Didn't Expect Much from Big Mouth's New Trans Character — But She's Amazing|website=Them|date=December 4, 2020|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802011054/https://www.them.us/story/big-mouth-season-four-josie-totah-patti-harrison-transgender-character|archive-date=August 2, 2024|url-status=live}} Natalie's voice actor, Josie Totah, later told the same publication that it was an "amazing privilege" to tell Natalie's story "so authentically and beautifully and in a funny way," pushing back against casual transphobia.{{cite web|last=Lewis|first=Samantha|url=https://www.them.us/story/josie-totah-big-mouth-season-four-interview|website=Them|title=How Josie Totah Brought Big Mouth's First Trans Character to Life|date=December 8, 2020|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811121129/https://www.them.us/story/josie-totah-big-mouth-season-four-interview|archive-date=August 11, 2023|url-status=live}} Diane Anderson-Minshall of The Advocate highlighted the work of Brandon Kyle Goodman, a Black non-binary writer for the series, and noted he will write for the series spin-off Human Resources, and voice a character on that series, with Goodman explaining how was drawn to the series, and saw it as a place to unpack trauma of being "a Black queer teenager in a lot of cis, het, white spaces."{{cite web|last=Anderson-Minshall|first=Diane|url=https://www.advocate.com/exclusives/2021/2/23/big-mouths-brandon-kyle-goodman-nonbinary-representation|title=Big Mouth's Brandon Kyle Goodman on Nonbinary Representation|website=The Advocate|date=February 23, 2021|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918154241/https://www.advocate.com/exclusives/2021/2/23/big-mouths-brandon-kyle-goodman-nonbinary-representation|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} The New York Times also did a profile on Goodman, noting that he voices a "queer lovebug" named Walter in the series, and quoted him as saying that wanted the chance to "play with all the colors in the crayon box of humanity instead of being sidelined as a trope."{{cite web|last=Holt|first=Brianna|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/26/style/brandon-kyle-goodman-big-mouth.html|title=Brandon Kyle Goodman, a Nonbinary Voice of 'Big Mouth'|website=New York Times|date=November 26, 2021|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312204409/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/26/style/brandon-kyle-goodman-big-mouth.html|archive-date=March 12, 2023|url-status=live}}

The series Harley Quinn included various LGBTQ characters. In the May 2020 episode of the series, "There's No Place to Go But Down", Harley Quinn saved her partner-in-crime, Poison Ivy, both kissed each other after they escaped from prison. The critic who reviewed the episode, Renaldo Metadeen of CBR, stated that Harley and Poison's romance is "slow burn" one, adding that this love affair could turn into a "more realistic exploration of how it feels to fall in love with a friend or to have an awkward hookup with a workmate." In another episode, Clayface, a member of Harley's villain crew, was revealed as gay character who had a crush on a male student.{{cite web |last1=Metadeen |first1=Renaldo |title=DC Universe's Harley Quinn Reveals a Major Batman Villain Is Gay |url=https://www.cbr.com/dc-universe-harley-quinn-batman-villain-gay/ |website=CBR |access-date=April 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414065029/https://www.cbr.com/dc-universe-harley-quinn-batman-villain-gay/ |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |date=April 13, 2020 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |last1=West |first1=Amy |title=Harley Quinn series reveals major Batman villain is queer |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a32141766/harley-quinn-series-clayface-queer/ |website=Digital Spy |access-date=April 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415131110/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a32141766/harley-quinn-series-clayface-queer/ |archive-date=April 15, 2020 |date=April 14, 2020 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Previously, in the DC Universe, Harley Quinn (Dr. Harleen Quinzel) and Poison Ivy (Dr. Pamela Isley) started as friends,{{cite web|date=April 5, 2020|title=How Did Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy's Romance First Start?|url=https://screenrant.com/harley-quinn-poison-ivy-romance-origin/|access-date=September 19, 2024|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|archive-date=August 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808144122/https://screenrant.com/harley-quinn-poison-ivy-romance-origin/|url-status=live}} but after Harley and Ivy referred to themselves with nicknames, writers gave them more intimate moments together, but did not make them a romantic couple.{{cite web|date=August 21, 2021|title=How Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy's Romance Began In DC Comics|url=https://screenrant.com/harley-poison-ivy-romance-began-dc-comics/|access-date=September 19, 2024|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|archive-date=August 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808144647/https://screenrant.com/harley-poison-ivy-romance-began-dc-comics/|url-status=live}}

In June 2020, the season 2 finale of the series, Poison Ivy had her wedding with Kite Man, a person she did not love, interrupted. By the end of the episode, Harley Quinn and Ivy realize their feelings for each other, kissing and "finally embracing that they're soul mates" as Renaldo Metadeen of CBR put it.{{cite web |last1=Metadeen |first1=Renaldo |title=Harley Quinn Season 2's Ending, Explained |url=https://www.cbr.com/harley-quinn-season-2s-ending-explained/ |magazine=CBR |access-date=June 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630155335/https://www.cbr.com/harley-quinn-season-2s-ending-explained/ |archive-date=June 30, 2020 |date=June 29, 2020 |url-status=live}} Heather Hogan at Autostraddle added that the bisexual love of Poison and Harley is canon, calling the second season "one of the most gratifying gay seasons of television" she has ever watched.{{cite web |last1=Hogan |first1=Heather |title="Harley Quinn" Season 2: Harley and Ivy Ride Off Into The Sunset in Canonical Bisexual Love |url=https://www.autostraddle.com/harley-quinn-season-2-harley-and-ivy-ride-off-into-the-sunset-in-canonical-bisexual-love/ |magazine=Autostraddle |access-date=June 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630155558/https://www.autostraddle.com/harley-quinn-season-2-harley-and-ivy-ride-off-into-the-sunset-in-canonical-bisexual-love/ |archive-date=June 30, 2020 |date=June 29, 2020 |url-status=live}} Another reviewer, Sophie Perry, writing for a lesbian lifestyle magazine, Curve, noted how that She-Ra and the Princesses of Power and Harley Quinn both had same-sex kisses, happening within stories which could have turned out to be "typical queerbaiting" but did not.{{cite web |last1=Perry |first1=Sophia |title=Is Queerbaiting Finally Being Put To Bed? |url=https://www.curvemag.com/opinion/readers-voice/is-queerbaiting-finally-being-put-to-bed/ |website=Curve |access-date=May 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524140041/https://www.curvemag.com/opinion/readers-voice/is-queerbaiting-finally-being-put-to-bed/ |archive-date=May 24, 2020 |date=May 22, 2020 |url-status=live}}

In 2021, the series was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2021-glaad-media-awards-winners-list-4163402/ |title=GLAAD Media Awards: 'Schitt's Creek,' 'Happiest Season,' Sam Smith Take Top Prizes |last=Gardner |first=Chris |work=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=PMRC |date=April 8, 2021 |access-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182856/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2021-glaad-media-awards-winners-list-4163402/|archive-date=July 9, 2021|url-status=live}} Other reviewers, like Carly Lane of SYFY, noted that before the series the "will-they-won't-they, on-again-off-again dynamic" defined the relationship between Harley and Ivy, but that this series evolves the relationship between them gradually and becoming a romance, describing this as "more refreshing."{{cite web|last=Lane|first=Carly|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/harley-quinn-gave-us-one-of-the-best-queer-romances-of-the-year|title=Harley Quinn gave us one of the best queer romances of the year|website=SYFY|date=July 9, 2020|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428070714/https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/harley-quinn-gave-us-one-of-the-best-queer-romances-of-the-year|archive-date=April 28, 2022|url-status=live}} Stacey Henley of TheGamer later described the series as "for the gays" and Seattle Times said the series got some of the most attention of DC titles, as Harley "navigates her...relationship with Poison Ivy" and an associated comic book title.{{cite web|last=Talbott|first=Chris|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/from-supermans-bisexual-son-to-harley-quinn-and-poison-ivy-lgbtq-representation-is-increasing-in-mainstream-comics/|title=From Superman's bisexual son to Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, LGBTQ+ representation is increasing in mainstream comics|website=Seattle Times|date=December 1, 2021|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115025639/https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/from-supermans-bisexual-son-to-harley-quinn-and-poison-ivy-lgbtq-representation-is-increasing-in-mainstream-comics/|archive-date=January 15, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Henley|first=Stacey|url=https://www.thegamer.com/harley-quinn-show-season-three-teaser-gay-lesbian-lgbt/|title=The Harley Quinn Show Knows It's For The Gays|website=TheGamer|date=October 22, 2021|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603144620/https://www.thegamer.com/harley-quinn-show-season-three-teaser-gay-lesbian-lgbt/|archive-date=June 3, 2023|url-status=live}} Amanda Hurwitz of GLAAD described the series as "must-see LGBTQ TV," with the third season following "the escapades of...Harley...and her partner-in-crime Poison Ivy...as they rise to power in Gotham, and ultimately, fall in love," with the third season having them as the "new power couple of DC villainy."{{cite web|last=Hurwitz|first=Amanda|url=https://glaad.org/must-see-lgbtq-tv-harley-quinn-season-three-and-pretty-little-liars-original-sin-premiere/|title=Must-See LGBTQ TV: 'Harley Quinn' season three and 'Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin' premiere on Thursday, 'Paper Girls' and 'Uncoupled' debut on Friday!|website=GLAAD|date=July 24, 2022|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529010631/https://glaad.org/must-see-lgbtq-tv-harley-quinn-season-three-and-pretty-little-liars-original-sin-premiere/|archive-date=May 29, 2024|url-status=live}}

On November 7, 2021, Arcane, premiered on Netflix. Overton told The Gamer that they hinted at queerness in the series, only leaving it as subtext, and noted that series creator called for removing the line "‘you’re hot, cupcake" from the fifth episode, saying she could only say it with her looks alone, but said that she wanted to keep it in, he agreed, and she called it "one of the touchstones" of the relationship between Vi and Caitlyn.{{cite web|last=King|first=Jade|url=https://www.thegamer.com/arcane-interview-amanda-overton-caitlyn-vi-queer-sapphic/|title=Arcane's Amanda Overton On Bringing Caitlyn And Vi's Romance To Life|website=The Gamer|date=November 29, 2024|access-date=April 7, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307190849/https://www.thegamer.com/arcane-interview-amanda-overton-caitlyn-vi-queer-sapphic/|archive-date=March 7, 2025|url-status=live}} Vi later moves in with Caitlyn, and in the show's ninth episode, Vi's sister, Jinx, describes Caitlyn as Vi's girlfriend. Reviewers critically reviewed the series. Nico Dayo of Polygon said that the series did not do enough to commit to LGBTQ characters, saying it uses "queer aesthetics" and "queer coding" instead, with any overt gay behavior only occurring in bawdy houses, behind closed doors, and argued that Caitlyn and Vi are assumed to be queer, but this is "couched in vagueness."{{cite web|last=Dayo|first=Nico|url=https://www.polygon.com/22893769/arcane-vi-caitlyn-lgbtq-characters-queer-netflix|title=Arcane embraces queer aesthetics, but settles for a maybeship|website=Polygon|date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718190046/https://www.polygon.com/22893769/arcane-vi-caitlyn-lgbtq-characters-queer-netflix|archive-date=July 18, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} Stacey Henley of TheGamer was also critical, arguing that there is a "piece of transphobia" in the series, noting a sex worker implied to be a trans woman briefly shown.{{cite web|last=Henley|first=Stacey|url=https://www.thegamer.com/arcane-league-of-legends-transphobia/|title=Is Anyone Going To Talk About Arcane: League of Legends' Transphobia?|website=TheGamer|date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019222457/https://www.thegamer.com/arcane-league-of-legends-transphobia/|archive-date=October 19, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} The show was renewed for a second season on November 20.{{Cite web|last=Bankhurst|first=Adam|title=Arcane, Netflix's League of Legends Animated Series, Is Officially Getting a Second Season|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/arcane-season-2-announced-at-netflix-league-of-legends|access-date=November 20, 2021|website=IGN|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121012715/https://www.ign.com/articles/arcane-season-2-announced-at-netflix-league-of-legends|archive-date=November 21, 2021|url-status=live}}

Other reviewers were more positive. Jade King of TheGamer said the connection between Vi and Caitlyn becomes a "serious queer relationship," and praised the show's final act for "developing their romantic bond," while also saying that the show's fandom is by and for gay people, and positively receiving the third act of the show's first season.{{cite web|last=King|first=Jade|url=https://www.thegamer.com/arcane-gay-vi-caitlyn-romance-season-2/|title=Arcane Is Gayer Than I Ever Expected It To Be|website=TheGamer|date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224005252/https://www.thegamer.com/arcane-gay-vi-caitlyn-romance-season-2/|archive-date=February 24, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=King|first=Jade|url=https://www.thegamer.com/arcane-fandom-gay-vi-caitlyn/|title=Arcane's Fandom Is Made By The Gays And For The Gays|website=TheGamer|date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110180122/https://www.thegamer.com/arcane-fandom-gay-vi-caitlyn/|archive-date=November 10, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=King|first=Jade|url=https://www.thegamer.com/arcane-act-3-review/|title=Arcane Act 3 Review: A Gay, Stylish, And Emotional Conclusion To Riot's Animated Show|website=TheGamer|date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812130723/https://www.thegamer.com/arcane-act-3-review/|archive-date=August 12, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} Chloe Barnes of Collider said that the series delivered "on the foundations of LGBT characters".{{cite web|last=Barnes|first=Chloe|url=https://collider.com/arcane-reasons-it-deserves-all-the-emmys/|title=Arcane: 10 Reasons It Deserves All The Emmys|website=Collider|date=April 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506210354/https://collider.com/arcane-reasons-it-deserves-all-the-emmys/|archive-date=May 6, 2024|access-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} Arianne Binette of Film-Cred said that although there was discussion that some believed that the series was "queerbaiting the queer audience," because their relationship was not directly stated from the start, that this claim is inaccurate.{{cite web|last=Binette|first=Arianne|url=https://film-cred.com/no-arcane-was-not-queerbaiting-you/|title=No, 'Arcane' Was Not Queerbaiting You|website=Film-Cred|date=January 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108190406/https://film-cred.com/no-arcane-was-not-queerbaiting-you/|archive-date=January 8, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} Xan Indigo of ScreenRant argued that the "touching romance between two women" during the series fixes issues from the League of Legends video games.{{cite web|last=Indigo|first=Xan|url=https://screenrant.com/arcane-lgbtq-vi-caitlyn-relationship-design-not-sexualized/|title=Arcane's LGBTQ+ Representation Fixes A Problem With The Video Games|website=ScreenRant|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711235256/https://screenrant.com/arcane-lgbtq-vi-caitlyn-relationship-design-not-sexualized/|archive-date=July 11, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}}

Prior to the release of the second, and final, season, Vi's voice actor, Hailee Steinfeld, said that the relationship, in the first and second seasons, between Vi and Caitlyn is beautiful and complex," with push and pull between then, adding "one minute, they might stand for the same thing and be in agreement, and then there's conflict" while noting that Vi leans on Caitlyn "immensely and trusts her and almost defers to her, and they make a great team."{{cite web|last=Hatchett|first=Keisha|url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/arcane-season-2-hailee-steinfeld-interview|title=Arcane's Hailee Steinfeld: Vi Is 'Really Struggling' Over Jinx in Season Two|website=Tudum|date=November 8, 2024|access-date=November 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110051407/https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/arcane-season-2-hailee-steinfeld-interview|archive-date=November 10, 2024|url-status=live}} Rafael Motomayor for IGN noted that in the first arc of the season, Caitlyn's voice actor, Leung, portrayed "the subtle ways" the character's outlook had "been impacted by...her time with Vi".{{cite web|last=Motamayor|first=Rafael|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/arcane-season-2-acts-i-and-ii-review-league-of-legends|title=Arcane Season 2 Acts I and II Review|website=IGN|date=November 9, 2024|access-date=November 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109171905/https://www.ign.com/articles/arcane-season-2-acts-i-and-ii-review-league-of-legends|archive-date=November 9, 2024|url-status=live|quote=Leung is the MVP of the season's first arc, portraying the subtle ways Caitlyn's outlook has been impacted by...her time with Vi}} Reviewers for CNET and ScreenRant noted that although Caitlyn and Vi have a kiss which "will delight the fanbase" both part ways after a disagreement, with Vi pursuing a "dark path."{{cite web|last=Lumb|first=Daniel|url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/netflixs-arcane-season-2-opens-with-shifting-alliances-and-bad-blood/|title=Netflix's Arcane Season 2 Opens With Shifting Alliances and Bad Blood|publisher=CNET|date=November 9, 2024|access-date=November 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110051201/https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/netflixs-arcane-season-2-opens-with-shifting-alliances-and-bad-blood/|archive-date=November 10, 2024|url-status=live|quote=But after a vicious brawl where Caitlyn and Vi take on Jinx and undercity enforcer Sevika, the former pair of lovers part ways.}}{{cite web|last=Bacon|first=Thomas|url=https://screenrant.com/arcane-season-2-act-1-ending-explained/|title=Arcane Season 2 Act 1 Ending Explained|website=Screenrant|date=November 9, 2024|access-date=November 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110051102/https://screenrant.com/arcane-season-2-act-1-ending-explained/|archive-date=November 10, 2024|url-status=live|quote=After much soul-searching, Vi agrees to join the strike team, and the two bond. Finally, in a wonderful moment that will delight the fanbase, they share a passionate kiss...Arcane season 2, act 1 leaves the future for Vi and Caitlyn in doubt. Caitlyn is clearly pursuing a dark path, but it is one Vi will not walk alongside her.}} Jade King of TheGamer and Laura Bergin of PC Games N described the relationship of Caitlyn with a fellow enforcer named Maddie Nolden in the second arc, and called Caitlyn "angry" and aimless without Vi.{{cite web|last=King|first=Jade|url=https://www.thegamer.com/arcane-league-of-legends-season-2-act-2-review/|title=Arcane Season 2: Act 2 Review - Once A Father, Always A Father|website=TheGamer|date=November 15, 2024|access-date=November 17, 2024|quote=Caitlyn has shacked up with Maddie...without Vi she is aimless, angry, and spends most of act two figuring out the kind of person she must become in this new world.|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241117232103/https://www.thegamer.com/arcane-league-of-legends-season-2-act-2-review/|archive-date=November 17, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web| last=Bergin|first=Laura|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/league-of-legends/arcane-season-2-act-2-review|title=Arcane Season 2 Act 2 trades chaotic action for masterful storytelling|website=PC Games N|date=November 16, 2024|access-date=November 17, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241117232407/https://www.pcgamesn.com/league-of-legends/arcane-season-2-act-2-review|archive-date=November 17, 2024|url-status=live|quote=[In] Episode 4, Paint the Town Blue...Caitlyn has moved on from Vi, finding companionship in Maddie alongside a renewed determination to track down Jinx.}} Both end their relationship, and it is revealed, in the series finale, "The Dirt Under Your Nails", that Maddie is revealed as a double agent for Ambessa, who betrays Caitlyn. In the same episode, she is killed due to Mel's magic.{{cite web|last=DeSena|first=Gabby|url=https://www.si.com/esports/news/arcane-season-2-ending-explained|title=Arcane Season 2: Ending Fully Explained|website=Sports Illustrated|date=November 23, 2024|access-date=November 24, 2024|quote=When Caitlyn awoke, she realized Maddie was the one who betrayed her — and Ambessa had sentenced her to execution|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241124225545/https://www.si.com/esports/news/arcane-season-2-ending-explained|archive-date=November 24, 2024|url-status=live}} Maddie's voice actor, Katy Townsend, later told The Direct that she knew that the relationship between Maddie and Caitlyn would be controversial, noted that the writer of the episode "Paint the Town Blue", Amanda Overton, told her that "this is gonna cause all kinds of chaos," and further said that even though she is a fan of the Caitlyn/Vi pairing, she "underestimated the extent [of] the chaos that this would cause." She also told the publication that the relationship was not Maddie's responsibility, but that Cait "has a lot to answer for her own choices and decisions" as well.{{cite web|last=Milheim|first=Russ|url=https://thedirect.com/article/arcane-maddie-caitlyn-romance-katy-townsend-exclusive|title=Arcane Season 2 Actress Katy Townsend Defends Maddie's Controversial Romance With Caitlyn (Exclusive)|website=The Direct|date=November 22, 2024|access-date=November 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122003053/https://thedirect.com/article/arcane-maddie-caitlyn-romance-katy-townsend-exclusive|archive-date=November 22, 2024|url-status=live}}

Reviewers for ScreenRant and GameRant noted that the final part of the second season provided many fans with a necessary payoff which included a "passionate sex sciene" between Vi and Caitlyn, describing the latter as symbolic since they first met in a prison, and said that the series fulfilled fan expectations.{{cite web|last=Roark|first=Nathaniel|url=https://screenrant.com/arcane-season-2-vi-caitlyn-payoff/|title=Arcane Gives Vi & Caitlyn The Payoff We Desperately Wanted|website=ScreenRant|date=November 24, 2024|access-date=November 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241124225147/https://screenrant.com/arcane-season-2-vi-caitlyn-payoff/|archive-date=November 24, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Rousse|first=Lauren|url=https://gamerant.com/arcane-season-2-episode-8-review/|title=Arcane Season 2 Episode 8 Review|website=GameRant|date=November 24, 2024|access-date=November 24, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241124225305/https://gamerant.com/arcane-season-2-episode-8-review/|archive-date=November 24, 2024|url-status=live}} Series writer Christian Linke later revealed that the sex scene between Vi and Cait, which was one minute and 37 seconds long, was cut short to prevent the series from getting "an even more mature rating." Some, like Isiah Colbert of Gizmodo, called for the longer cut to be released, with Linke playfully stating that the cut is "probably on some French hard drive." Colbert said that the love scene is being regarded by some queer fans as akin to the Korrasami ship between Korra and Asami Sato in The Legend of Korra.{{cite web|last=Colbert|first=Isaiah|url=https://gizmodo.com/arcanes-co-creator-addresses-the-fan-discourse-over-season-2-pacing-2000530258|title=Arcane's Co-Creator Addresses the Fan Discourse Over Season 2 Pacing|website=Gizmodo|date=November 26, 2024|access-date=November 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126224524/https://gizmodo.com/arcanes-co-creator-addresses-the-fan-discourse-over-season-2-pacing-2000530258|archive-date=November 26, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Colbert|first=Isaiah|url=https://gizmodo.com/arcanes-long-awaited-hookup-was-originally-longer-and-steamier-2000529735|title= Arcane's Long-Awaited Hookup Was Originally Longer and Steamier|website=Gizmodo|date=November 25, 2024|access-date=November 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126012929/https://gizmodo.com/arcanes-long-awaited-hookup-was-originally-longer-and-steamier-2000529735|archive-date=November 26, 2024|url-status=live}}

In November 2018, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power premiered on Netflix. Prior to its release, it was announced this reboot of She-Ra: Princess of Power would include LGBTQ characters,{{cite news |title=Netflix's She-Ra Reboot Confirmed To Include LGBT Characters |url=https://screenrant.com/she-ra-reboot-lgbt-characters/ |access-date=November 7, 2018 |work=Screen Rant |date=October 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009164233/https://screenrant.com/she-ra-reboot-lgbt-characters/ |archive-date=October 9, 2018 |url-status=live }} Reviewers for Tor.com, Toon Boom, and EW would describe the series reading "utterly queer in just about every aspect" and the "queer romance" manifested by the Adora-Catra relationship.{{cite news |last1=Asher-Perrin |first1=Emmet |title=She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is Freaking Fabulous |url=https://www.tor.com/2018/11/16/she-ra-and-the-princesses-of-power-is-freaking-fabulous/ |access-date=November 16, 2018 |work=Tor.com |date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116215534/https://www.tor.com/2018/11/16/she-ra-and-the-princesses-of-power-is-freaking-fabulous/ |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Franich |first1=Darren |title=She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is a funny-wonderful pop fantasy |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/11/07/she-ra-princesses-of-power-netflix-review/ |magazine=EW |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108040205/https://ew.com/tv/2018/11/07/she-ra-princesses-of-power-netflix-review/ |archive-date=November 8, 2019 |date=November 7, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} The series would also be praised for its transgender characters, like Double Trouble, who was voiced by Double Trouble's voice actor is non-binary, like the character,{{cite web|last1=Fisher|first1=Owl|last2=Fisher|first2=Fox|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jun/30/it-takes-away-the-stigma-five-of-the-best-cartoons-with-transgender-characters|title='It takes away the stigma': five of the best cartoons with transgender characters|website=The Guardian|date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104182314/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jun/30/it-takes-away-the-stigma-five-of-the-best-cartoons-with-transgender-characters|archive-date=January 4, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 22, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/jacob-tobia-she-ra-and-the-princesses-of-power-non-binary-double-trouble-lgbtq-netflix-1202765255/|title=Jacob Tobia Joins 'She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power' As Non-Binary Character|last=Ramos|first=Dino-Ray|date=October 21, 2019|work=Deadline Hollywood|language=en|access-date=October 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022124258/https://deadline.com/2019/10/jacob-tobia-she-ra-and-the-princesses-of-power-non-binary-double-trouble-lgbtq-netflix-1202765255/|archive-date=October 22, 2019|url-status=live}}

and its "multiseason queer story arc", which were seeded throughout the series by Stevenson, so it would be "too late for higher-ups to stop it."

On May 15, 2020, the final season of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power premiered on Netflix. According to series creator, ND Stevenson, the season has "a core of optimism to it" with the characters discovering who "they are and following the path that each of them has."{{cite web |last1=Bishop |first1=Rollin |title=She-Ra and the Princesses of Power: Noelle Stevenson on the Upcoming Season, Favorite Scenes, and Ending the Show |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/she-ra-netflix-noelle-stevenson-season-5-interview/ |magazine=ComicBook.com |access-date=May 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515011318/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/she-ra-netflix-noelle-stevenson-season-5-interview/ |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |date=May 13, 2020 |url-status=live}} David Opie of Digital Spy added that the show's season five finale changed TV with a "groundbreaking moment". In March 2021, Stevenson told Vanity Fair that early in the show's run there "had to be plausible deniability" around most queer relationships, but this changed once he got "positive, vocal support from fans of the show" who picked up on queer subtext and wanted more. This enabled Stevenson to sell executives on the idea that the "queer relationship between the two leads [was] to be the climax of the entire show."{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Joanna |title=Raya and the Last Dragon's Kelly Marie Tran Thinks Her Disney Princess Is Gay |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/03/raya-and-the-last-dragon-kelly-marie-tran-gay-namaari-raya |work=Vanity Fair |access-date=March 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307025741/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/03/raya-and-the-last-dragon-kelly-marie-tran-gay-namaari-raya |archive-date=March 7, 2021 |date=March 5, 2021 |url-status=live}}

In an interview with Nerdist in May 2021, Stevenson said that he wanted to represent points of view not usually seen in media, trying to explore them while being as "honest and as real as possible," adding that although crafting queer representation is different from "studio to studio, show to show," people who want such representation have to approach it "without any fear," and added that sometimes people hold back because they are scared and called for increased LGBTQ+ representation.{{cite web |last1=Knight |first1=Rosie |title=Noelle Stevenson on the Legacy of SHE-RA |url=https://nerdist.com/article/she-ra-finale-legacy-noelle-stevenson-interview/ |magazine=Nerdist News |access-date=May 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516174306/https://nerdist.com/article/she-ra-finale-legacy-noelle-stevenson-interview/ |archive-date=May 16, 2020 |date=May 15, 2020 |url-status=live}} In June 2021, Stevenson told Insider that while the show's staff had a "good number of trans and nonbinary crew," criticism from some of Double Trouble as a villain and a "nonbinary character whose gender nonconformity was conflated with...alienness," blindsided him, admitting he "might have done some things differently," had he known of this perspective.{{cite web|last1=Chik|first1=Kalai|last2=White|first2=Abbey|url=https://www.insider.com/queer-women-transgender-nonbinary-kids-animation-cartoons-2021-6|title=Animation's queer women, trans, and nonbinary creatives are pushing gender boundaries in kid's cartoons their counterparts couldn't — or wouldn't dare|date=June 30, 2021|work=Insider|publisher=Insider Inc.|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210702034400/https://www.insider.com/queer-women-transgender-nonbinary-kids-animation-cartoons-2021-6|archive-date=July 2, 2021|url-status=live}}

Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts aired on Netflix from January to October 2020. It became a shining example of expanded representation. In the first season of Kipo, which streamed on January 10, 2020, Benson said he was gay, noting he only liked the series protagonist, Kipo, in a platonic way.{{cite web |last1=Radulovic |first1=Petrana |title=Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts treats coming out like just another part of life |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/1/15/21067505/kipo-and-the-age-of-wonderbeasts-coming-out-scene |website=Polygon |access-date=January 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404051227/https://www.polygon.com/2020/1/15/21067505/kipo-and-the-age-of-wonderbeasts-coming-out-scene |archive-date=April 4, 2020 |date=January 19, 2020 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} He developed a crush on a male character, Troy, in the show's 10th episode.{{cite web |last1=Kelley |first1=Shamus |title=Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts' Casual Diverse Queerness |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/kipo-and-the-age-of-the-wonderbeasts-casual-diverse-queerness/ |website=Den of Geek |access-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627032721/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/kipo-and-the-age-of-the-wonderbeasts-casual-diverse-queerness/ |archive-date=June 27, 2020 |date=June 25, 2020 |url-status=live}} Benson has been described as the "first kids' animated character to directly identify as gay in dialogue." Insider also stated that Benson became the "first Black lead character" and the second-known animated kids character, apart from a character in 6teen, to identify as gay "in dialogue." Later, show creator Rad Sechrist also hinted at Troy being pansexual, but it was never confirmed in the show.

Reviewers have critically examined the show's LGBTQ characters and themes. Charles Pulliam-Moore of Gizmodo described the show as having "casual queerness," with Kipo not seeing him coming out as "major turning point" in her friendship with Benson, and states that the show's queerness differs from Steven Universe in that it is not "central to the story being told."{{cite web |last1=Pulliam-Moore |first1=Charles |title=Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts' Casual Queerness Is Fantastic |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/kipo-and-the-age-of-wonderbeasts-casual-queerness-is-fa-1841157244 |website=io9 |access-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124155218/https://io9.gizmodo.com/kipo-and-the-age-of-wonderbeasts-casual-queerness-is-fa-1841157244 |archive-date=January 24, 2020 |date=January 23, 2020 }} Laura Dale of SYFY described Benson coming out directly and saying he is gay as "an all-too-rare occurrence" in children's animation, comparing it to depictions in Steven Universe and The Legend of Korra ending, arguing that Benson's moment is not a hug deal, but not completely ignored by Kipo, who supports her friend and acknowledges his gay identity, and notes that the series does not stop from showing Benson having "romantic feelings on screen" for another male character.{{cite web|last=Dale|first=Laura|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/kipo-and-the-age-of-wonderbeasts-makes-coming-out-as-gay-simple-and-direct|title=Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts makes coming out as gay simple and direct|website=SYFY|date=March 6, 2020|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302151850/https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/kipo-and-the-age-of-wonderbeasts-makes-coming-out-as-gay-simple-and-direct|archive-date=March 2, 2022|url-status=live}} Renaldo Metadeen of CBR argued that the LGBTQ arc in Kipo is better than the arcs in Voltron: Legendary Defender involving Shiro and Adam, and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power as related to Catra and Adora, stating that the relationship between Troy and Benson develops and they begin dating, celebrating and enjoying each other, without their characters "falling into stereotypes."{{cite web|last=Metadeen|first=Renaldo|url=https://www.cbr.com/kipo-and-the-age-of-wonderbeasts-lgbt-arc-better-she-ra-voltron/|title=Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts' LGBT Arc Is WAY Better Than She-Ra's or Voltron's|website=CBR|date=October 25, 2020|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119160852/https://www.cbr.com/kipo-and-the-age-of-wonderbeasts-lgbt-arc-better-she-ra-voltron/|archive-date=November 19, 2020|url-status=live}}

In October 2021, the creator of High Guardian Spice, Raye Rodriguez, a Cuban-American trans man, was described as being "passionate about telling diverse and inclusive stories" and noted as wanting to share "fantastical stories about queer, diverse and relatable characters," implying that such characters would be in the series.{{cite web|last=Milligan|first=Mercedes|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/anime/exclusive-images-a-bts-taste-of-crunchyrolls-latest-original-high-guardian-spice/|title=Exclusive Images: A BTS Taste of Crunchyroll's Latest Original 'High Guardian Spice'|website=Animation Magazine|date=October 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025231542/https://www.animationmagazine.net/anime/exclusive-images-a-bts-taste-of-crunchyrolls-latest-original-high-guardian-spice/|archive-date=October 25, 2021|url-status=live}} The series included various LGBTQ characters. Most prominently this included Professor Caraway, a professor at the High Guardian Academy. Voiced by Rodriguez, he reveals in the third episode "Transformations", that he is a trans man.{{cite web|url=https://gaymingmag.com/2021/10/high-guardian-spice-wows-fans-with-its-openly-trans-character/|title=High Guardian Spice wows fans with its openly trans character|website=Gayming Magazine|date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211027172245/https://gaymingmag.com/2021/10/high-guardian-spice-wows-fans-with-its-openly-trans-character/|archive-date=October 27, 2021|url-status=live}}{{Cite tweet |last=Rodriguez |first=Raye |user=dinoraye |number=1453175622419685381 |date=October 26, 2021 |title=Yeah! I'm Professor Caraway |language=en |access-date=October 27, 2021 |link=https://twitter.com/dinoraye/status/1453175622419685381 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027014425/https://twitter.com/dinoraye/status/1453175622419685381 |archive-date=October 27, 2021 }} The show also includes LGBTQ cast members like trans woman Julia Kaye (who voices Snapdragon), gay man Cam Clarke (who voices Neppy Cat and Sorrel), and ambiguously queer Julian Koster (who voices Slime Boy).{{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2021/10/10-1/high-guardian-spice-soars-to-crunchyroll-with-new-trailer-and-premiere-date|last=Luster|first=Joseph|title=High Guardian Spice Soars to Crunchyroll with New Trailer and Premiere Date|website=Crunchyroll|date=October 10, 2021|access-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010182237/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2021/10/10-1/high-guardian-spice-soars-to-crunchyroll-with-new-trailer-and-premiere-date|archive-date=October 10, 2021|url-status=live}}

In a November 2021 interview, Rodriguez noted the importance of representation, and voiced optimism for inclusivity in animation, praising Steven Universe for breaking "so many boundaries." He also stated that the series centers on four girls who are not princesses or chosen ones, but go on adventures, and said it is inspired by a lot of his close friendships. He further praised Crunchyroll for not having any pushback to LGBTQ representation in the show, even though there is homophobia and transphobia in the show's world, adding that in that world, "people are generally a lot more chill about LGBTQ+ people than they are in real life."{{cite interview |last=Rodriguez |first=Ray |interviewer=Jade King |title=High Guardian Spice Interview: Raye Rodriguez On Creating A Queer Crunchyroll Original |work=TheGamer |date=November 3, 2021 |url=https://www.thegamer.com/high-guardian-spice-interview-raye-rodriguez-crunchyroll/ |format=Online |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211103185715/https://www.thegamer.com/high-guardian-spice-interview-raye-rodriguez-crunchyroll/ |archive-date=November 3, 2021 |access-date=November 3, 2021}}

Previously, creator Sara Eissa talked about a pitch for her show, Astur's Rebellion, an action-adventure, claiming it was rejected "due to bias against elements of diversity such as POC and LGBTQ+ main characters." She implied that she was talking about Crunchyroll, and its then-upcoming show High Guardian Spice.{{Cite web|last1=Sarantos|first1=Constance|url=https://www.cbr.com/crunchyroll-should-release-high-guardian-spice-now/|title=Crunchyroll - Now is the PERFECT Time to Release High Guardian Spice|website=CBR|date=November 15, 2020 |language=en|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201116182705/https://www.cbr.com/crunchyroll-should-release-high-guardian-spice-now/|archive-date=November 16, 2020|url-status=live}} She also talked about discourse around "diverse" in the animation industry, especially those pitching "future shows," stating that the company (presumably Crunchyroll) would look at a show with "diversity" like people of color, female cast, brighter tones, and "not give it a chance" because it would not be profitable.{{Cite web|last1=Morrissy|first1=Kim|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-08-24/aspiring-animation-creator-alleges-corporate-bias-against-diverse-creators/.163228|title=Aspiring Animation Creator Alleges Corporate Bias Against Diverse Creators|website=Anime News Network|language=en|access-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210084638/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-08-24/aspiring-animation-creator-alleges-corporate-bias-against-diverse-creators/.163228|archive-date=December 10, 2020|url-status=live}}

On August 17, 2020, Margaret Evans interviewed Hamish Steele, creator of Dead End: Paranormal Park, about LGBTQ characters in his show. Steele explained that he is grateful for showrunners who fought for LGBTQ characters in their shows, adding that there was "absolutely no pushback from Netflix about representation," while describing Barney Guttman as a trans male character.{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Margaret |title=Interview: DeadEndia Creator Hamish Steele on Bringing More LGBTQ+ Animation to Netflix |url=https://www.themarysue.com/deadendia-netflix-hamish-steele-interview/ |website=The Mary Sue |access-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200823160026/https://www.themarysue.com/deadendia-netflix-hamish-steele-interview/ |archive-date=August 23, 2020 |date=August 21, 2020 |url-status=live }} He also hoped that the show will help out "more trans creators getting their chance to tell their stories" while hinting at other LGBTQ characters in the show apart from Barney, noting the performance of Miss Coco Peru on the show as Pauline Phoenix.

After the series had released, in June 2022, on Netflix, Steele described the series as "a YA kids' show," said they tried their best to "cast authentically," and said that unlike other series, Dead End treats bigotry as a "serious issue" that affects people, and that they explored the nuances of queer relationships.{{cite web|last=White|first=Abbey|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/netflix-dead-end-paranormal-park-hamish-steele-interview-1235165517/|title='Dead End: Paranormal Park' Creator Hamish Steele on Crafting the Animated YA LGBTQ-Inclusive Horror Series|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 16, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412184251/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/netflix-dead-end-paranormal-park-hamish-steele-interview-1235165517/|archive-date=April 12, 2023|url-status=live}} He later told Gayming magazine that although Barney's identity is important, he does not want to be seen as "the trans show," added that Netflix was only channel "looking to make a show with a trans lead" but that he disagrees with the streaming service's push for specials by Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais.{{cite web|last=Hart|first=Aimee|url=https://gaymingmag.com/2022/07/hamish-steele-on-dead-end-paranormal-park-working-with-netflix-and-trans-representation/|title=Hamish Steele on Dead End: Paranormal Park, working with Netflix, and trans representation|website=Gayming Magazine|date=July 21, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220222119/https://gaymingmag.com/2022/07/hamish-steele-on-dead-end-paranormal-park-working-with-netflix-and-trans-representation/|archive-date=February 20, 2023|url-status=live}} In another interview, he stated that Netflix pushed them to make the show the crew wanted, adding it was "not a compromised vision in any way."{{cite web|last=Opie|first=David|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a40300139/dead-end-netflix-musical-queer-lgbtq/|title=Dead End: Paranormal Park's Hamish Steele on queer animation and *that* musical episode|website=Digital Spy|date=June 16, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204143343/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a40300139/dead-end-netflix-musical-queer-lgbtq/|archive-date=December 4, 2023|url-status=live}} In an interview with Zach Barack, who voices Barney, he said he loves being trans, glad his Twitter timeline was "flooded with kind things about trans people and what it meant to them" and that it was cool for his "mentions to be so wonderful for a while," said he would work with Steele again, noted that the show's writers, from what he heard, "mostly queer and created a really wonderful space together," and talked about his experience preparing for Barney's scene in which he comes out as trans to Norma.{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/zach-barack-interview-spider-man-dead-end-netflix-lgbtq-1849367551|title=Dead End: Paranormal Park's Zach Barack on What It Means to Be a Trans Lead in 2022|website=Gizmodo|date=August 4, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324120403/https://gizmodo.com/zach-barack-interview-spider-man-dead-end-netflix-lgbtq-1849367551|archive-date=March 24, 2024|url-status=live}}

Following the series release, the series was praised for its LGBTQ representation. Laura Zornosa of Time noted that the series, and Wendell & Wild, both featured the use of animation to reclaim horror genre for trans and queer people, noting that in Dead End, the Paranormal Park is the safe haven for the protagonist, Barney, ad that he meets many other odd characters at the park, including Logan "Logs" Nguyen, who has a mutual crush on him, with most of the characters "either overtly queer or queer-coded," with many trans people, such as story revisionist Ash Wu, working on the series to ensure it portrays their stories accurately. Jade King of TheGamer described the series as "delightfully queer" while criticizing Netflix for canceling queer shows, while Kristy Puchko of Mashable said the series is a "kinetic and heartwarming adventure cartoon" which is proudly queer, and compared it to Gravity Falls, as did Dana da Silva of CBR.{{cite web|last=King|first=Jade|url=https://www.thegamer.com/dead-end-paranormal-park-netflix-queer-lgbt-representation/|website=TheGamer|title=Dead End: Paranormal Park Is A Spooky, Fun, And Super Queer Adventure|date=June 17, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206202217/https://www.thegamer.com/dead-end-paranormal-park-netflix-queer-lgbt-representation/|archive-date=February 6, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Puchko|first=Kristy|url=https://mashable.com/article/dead-end-paranormal-park-review-netflix|title='Dead End: Paranormal Park' review: If the gay Babadook made a kids' show, it might look like this|website=Mashable|date=June 17, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917171911/https://mashable.com/article/dead-end-paranormal-park-review-netflix|archive-date=September 17, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=da Silva|first=Dana|url=https://www.cbr.com/dead-end-paranormal-park-gravity-falls-queer-netflix/|website=CBR|title=Dead End: Paranormal Park Gives off Queer Gravity Falls Vibes|date=July 1, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711090736/https://www.cbr.com/dead-end-paranormal-park-gravity-falls-queer-netflix/|archive-date=July 11, 2023|url-status=live}} Charles Pulliam-Moore of The Verge described the show's first season as an example of what queer creators can do when "given the resources and freedom to tell their own stories."{{cite web|last=Pulliam-Moore|first=Charles|url=https://www.theverge.com/23171056/dead-end-paranormal-park-review-netflix|title=Dead End: Paranormal Park's one of those fantastic queer cartoons you're always hearing about|website=The Verge|date=June 16, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805212533/https://www.theverge.com/23171056/dead-end-paranormal-park-review-netflix|archive-date=August 5, 2024|url-status=live}} Barry Levitt of The Daily Beast argued that the series "repudiates stereotypical representations of gender dysphoria," while Nathan Maizels of Collider called the series a "queer Scooby-Doo", echoing themes in Scooby-Doo Where Are You!.{{cite web|last=Levitt|first=Barry|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/netflixs-dead-end-is-the-kind-of-trans-representation-weve-been-waiting-for|title=Netflix's 'Dead End' Is the Kind of Trans Representation We've Been Waiting For|website=The Daily Beast|date=June 17, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215225359/https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/netflixs-dead-end-is-the-kind-of-trans-representation-weve-been-waiting-for|archive-date=December 15, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Maizels|first=Nathan|url=https://collider.com/dead-end-paranormal-park-queer-scooby-doo/|website=Collider|title='Dead End: Paranormal Park' Is the Queer Scooby-Doo You Didn't Know You Needed|date=June 24, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116004450/https://collider.com/dead-end-paranormal-park-queer-scooby-doo/|archive-date=January 16, 2023|url-status=live}} Mike Deitz of Salon said that the series explores theme parks as "queer getaways" and ripping away "gender norms and presentations".{{cite web|last=Deitz|first=Mike|url=https://www.salon.com/2022/08/07/end-paranormal-park-theme-parks-queer-getaways/|website=Salon|date=August 7, 2022|title="Dead End: Paranormal Park" explores theme parks as queer getaways|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806134546/https://www.salon.com/2022/08/07/end-paranormal-park-theme-parks-queer-getaways/|archive-date=August 6, 2024|url-status=live}}

RWBY has featured various LGBTQ characters. This included Yang Xiao Long and her teammate Blake Belladonna, who previously had an abusive boyfriend named Adam Taurus, who they kill together.{{cite web |last1=Darcy |first1=Diane |title=RWBY Ice Queendom's Big Bumbleby Moment Foreshadows Defining Battle In Vol. 6 |url=https://www.cbr.com/rwby-ice-queendom-episode-11-spoilers-bumbleby-foreshadows-adam-fight/ |website=CBR |access-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929150618/https://www.cbr.com/rwby-ice-queendom-episode-11-spoilers-bumbleby-foreshadows-adam-fight/ |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |date=September 12, 2022 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Both grow romantically closer as the series continued,{{cite web|last=Darcy|first=Diane|url=https://www.cbr.com/rwby-ice-queendom-episode-5-spoilers-yang-bumbleby-sister/|title=RWBY Ice Queendom Teases Bumbleby and Captures Yang's Sisterly Qualities|website=CBR|date=August 3, 2022|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020102414/https://www.cbr.com/rwby-ice-queendom-episode-5-spoilers-yang-bumbleby-sister/|archive-date=October 20, 2022|url-status=live}} and confessed to each other in the Volume 9 episode "Confessions Within Cumulonimbus Clouds", confesses her own feelings, and both kiss.{{cite interview |last=Dunkelman |first=Barbara |subject-link=Barbara Dunkelman |last2=Rivas |first2=Eddy |subject-link2=Eddy Rivas |last3=Shawcross |first3=Kerry |subject-link3=Kerry Shawcross |last4=Jones |first4=Lindsey |subject-link4=Lindsay Jones (actor) |last5=Winn |first5=Erin |subject-link5=Erin Winn |interviewer=Jack Pattillo |title= Blake and Yang Hold Nothing Back |type=Online |work=Rooster Teeth Animation |date=March 28, 2023 |via=YouTube |publisher=RoosterTeeth |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT2D8d_BngQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/WT2D8d_BngQ |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |access-date=March 29, 2023}}{{cite interview |last=Zech |first=Arryn |subject-link=Arryn Zech |interviewer=Barbara Dunkelman |title= The Voices of Blake and Yang from RWBY talk Bumbleby - Always Open |type=Online |work=All Good No Worries |date=March 28, 2023 |via=YouTube |publisher=Rooster Teeth |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyhtrJy0jo0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/MyhtrJy0jo0 |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |access-date=March 29, 2023}}{{cite web|last=Darcy|first=Diane|url=https://www.cbr.com/blake-yang-kiss-wlw-romance/|title=RWBY's Blake and Yang Is WLW Romance Done Right - Here's How TV Can Learn From Them|website=CBR|date=March 31, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901115218/https://www.cbr.com/blake-yang-kiss-wlw-romance/|archive-date=September 1, 2024|url-status=live}}

Some reviewers, like Diane Darcy of CBR, argued that canonizing Bumbleby is not only a high point for the series, but challenges stereotypes of bisexual people, and noted Blake's previous attraction to Sun Wukong and notes hints that Yang finds boys in Beacon Academy "sexually attractive."{{cite web|last=Darcy|first=Diane|url=https://www.cbr.com/rwby-bumbleby-blake-yang-bisexual/|title=Canonizing Bumbleby Isn't RWBY's Only High Point - It Also Challenges Bisexual Stereotypes|website=CBR|date=April 24, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504095705/https://www.cbr.com/rwby-bumbleby-blake-yang-bisexual/|archive-date=May 4, 2024|url-status=live}} This was also reflected in the spinoff anime series, RWBY: Ice Queendom{{cite web|last=Darcy|first=Diane|url=https://www.cbr.com/rwby-ice-queendom-blake-belladonna-yang-xiao-long-bumbleby-romance/|title=RWBY Ice Queendom Did More to Setup Bumbleby Than Vol. 1 Ever Did|website=CBR|date=September 19, 2022|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005230140/https://www.cbr.com/rwby-ice-queendom-blake-belladonna-yang-xiao-long-bumbleby-romance/|archive-date=October 5, 2022|url-status=live}} and in Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, with Bumbleby moments naturally added to the film.{{cite interview |last=Shawcross |first=Kerry |interviewer=Caitlin Tyrrell |title=Kerry Shawcross Interview: RWBY x Justice League Superheroes & Huntsmen Part One |work=CBR |date=April 25, 2023 |url=https://screenrant.com/rwby-justice-league-part-1-kerry-shawcross-interview/ |access-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501132209/https://screenrant.com/rwby-justice-league-part-1-kerry-shawcross-interview/ |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |url-status=live}} Previously, fans and reviewers either shipped them as "Bumbleby" after the episode "Burning the Candle",{{cite web |last1=Hale-Stern |first1=Kaila |title=Let Us Gaze Upon 2019's 20 Most Popular Fandom Ships on Tumblr |url=https://www.themarysue.com/2019-most-popular-fandom-ships-tumblr/ |website=The Mary Sue |access-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211230438/https://www.themarysue.com/2019-most-popular-fandom-ships-tumblr/ |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |date=December 5, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} as did Blake's voice actor Arryn Zech, and the voice actor of Weiss Schnee, Kara Eberle.{{cite interview |last1=Zech |first1=Arryn |last2=Eberle |first2=Kara |interviewer=Rachel Howard |title=Comic-Con: Arryn Zech and Kara Eberle Talk RWBY, Their Characters, Food Fights and What We Can Expect in Season 2 |work=Collider |date=August 2014 |url=https://collider.com/rwby-season-2-interview-arryn-zech-kara-eberle/ |access-date= March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326031806/https://collider.com/rwby-season-2-interview-arryn-zech-kara-eberle/ |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |url-status=live}}

Otherwise, Kdin Jenzen, the voice actor for May Marigold, talked about confirmation of May as trans on screen in the December 19, 2020 RWBY episode, "War", the eighth episode of Volume 8 of RWBY.{{cite tweet |last=Jenzen |first=Kdin |user=KdinJenzen |number=1342887719169626113 |date=December 26, 2020 |title=So hey, whatcha know about that? Canon trans May Marigold confirmation on screen! As Kerry and I mentioned on Stay Zen, this was always the plan and May being a transwoman is something that predates my being cast. Ya love to see it. |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226173938/https://twitter.com/KdinJenzen/status/1342887719169626113 |archive-date=December 26, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite tweet |last=Jenzen |first=Kdin |user=KdinJenzen |number=1206990507584262144 |date=December 17, 2019|title=As the voice of May Marigold I'm honored to present to you her concepts done by the talented @ErinMWinn! I'm also here to confirm: YES, May IS Henry Marigold's cousin! But more importantly, May Marigold is the very first onscreen trans character for RWBY! #RWBY7 #RWBY7Spoilers |access-date=December 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210191905/http://twitter.com/KdinJenzen/status/1206990507584262144 |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |url-status=live}} "I think my favorite part of May Marigold's story, overall, is that she found herself before she found herself," Jenzen, who is a trans woman herself, told CBR in January 2021.{{Cite news|last=Dominguez|first=Noah|date=January 3, 2021|title=RWBY's Kdin Jenzen Talks Voicing the Show's First Transgender Character|work=CBR|url=https://www.cbr.com/rwby-kdin-jenzen-talks-may-marigold-first-transgender-character/|url-status=live|access-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210108031433/https://www.cbr.com/rwby-kdin-jenzen-talks-may-marigold-first-transgender-character/|archive-date=January 8, 2021}}

In October 2019, Vivienne "VivziePop" Medrano released an animated production with LGBTQ+ characters. The first of these productions was Hazbin Hotel which introduced a gay pornstar named Angel Dust, a bisexual character named Charlie, a lesbian character named Vaggie, and an asexual character named Alastor.{{cite tweet|last=Medrano|first=Vivienne|user=vivziepop|number=1050498176019353601|date=October 11, 2018|title=Angel and Alastor are old men who don't understand anything anymore 👍 I hope everyone on this #NationalComingOutDay2018 stays safe and stays proud 🥰|access-date=December 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127093437/http://twitter.com/vivziepop/status/1050498176019353601|archive-date=January 27, 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last1=Millgan |first1=Mercedes |title=News Bytes: 'Sarah & Duck' Quacks Back in US, Check in to 'Hazbin Hotel,' Tellys Get Immersive & More |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/news-bytes-sarah-duck-quacks-back-in-us-check-in-to-hazbin-hotel-tellys-get-immersive-more/ |website=Animation Magazine |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108020837/https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/news-bytes-sarah-duck-quacks-back-in-us-check-in-to-hazbin-hotel-tellys-get-immersive-more/ |archive-date=January 8, 2020 |date=October 30, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|last1=Rupnarine|first1=Nerissa|url=https://www.cbr.com/dr-stone-senku-asexual-anime-representation/|title=Dr. Stone's Senku Could Be Groundbreaking for Asexual Anime Representation|date=July 24, 2020|access-date=November 5, 2020|website=CBR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916212025/https://www.cbr.com/dr-stone-senku-asexual-anime-representation/|archive-date=September 16, 2020|url-status=live}}

On November 25, the pilot episode of Helluva Boss, set in the same universe as Hazbin Hotel was released on YouTube.{{Cite web|last=Short|first=Dan|date=December 18, 2020|title=Helluva Boss|url=https://animatedviews.com/2020/helluva-boss/|website=Animated Views|access-date=April 25, 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118103546/https://animatedviews.com/2020/helluva-boss/|archive-date=January 18, 2021}} The series would begin its first season in October 2020. It would also feature various LGBTQ characters. On October 31, 2020, the first season of Medrano's Helluva Boss would be released on YouTube.{{cite web|url=https://www.skwigly.co.uk/horseless-cowboy-helluva-boss/|title='Hazbin Hotel' creator Vivziepop teams with Horseless Cowboy on devilishly twisted 'Helluva Boss'|date=October 7, 2020|access-date=April 25, 2021|website=Skwigly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008142651/https://www.skwigly.co.uk/horseless-cowboy-helluva-boss/|archive-date=October 8, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web |date=October 7, 2020 |title='Hazbin Hotel' Creator and Horseless Cowboy Team on Devilish 'Helluva Boss' |url=https://www.awn.com/news/hazbin-hotel-creator-and-horseless-cowboy-team-devilish-helluva-boss |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010164752/https://www.awn.com/news/hazbin-hotel-creator-and-horseless-cowboy-team-devilish-helluva-boss |archive-date=October 10, 2020 |access-date=April 25, 2021 |website=Animation World Network}} Helluva Boss has various LGBTQ characters, including a bisexual demon named Moxxie.{{cite tweet |last=Medrano |first=Vivienne |user=VivziePop |number=1308964753570754562 |date=September 23, 2020 |title=Today has been nonstop so decided to make my break doodle somethin' tiny for Bi-day 💕 |website=Twitter |access-date=October 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924104914/https://twitter.com/VivziePop/status/1308964753570754562 |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |url-status=live}}

The first season of Hazbin Hotel would be released on Prime Video from January 19, 2024 to February 2, 2024. It would be praised by Erik Piepenburg of the Los Angeles Times for having a show universe that is "brazenly colorful, queer-inclusive and fast-paced mishmash",{{cite web|last=Piepenburg|first=Erik|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2024-01-19/hazbin-hotel-a24-vivienne-medrano-alex-brightman|title='Hazbin Hotel,' A24's first animated series, imagines heaven and hell with a Broadway voice cast|website=Los Angeles Times|date=January 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119185532/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2024-01-19/hazbin-hotel-a24-vivienne-medrano-alex-brightman|archive-date=January 19, 2024|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} and multiple female and queer leads by Petrana Radulovic of Polygon.{{cite web|last=Radulovic|first=Petrana|url=https://www.polygon.com/24043306/hazbin-hotel-vivziepop-adult-animation-tv-interview|title=Hazbin Hotel creator says BoJack Horseman showed her what adult animation could be|website=Polygon|date=January 19, 2024|access-date=January 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119190451/https://www.polygon.com/24043306/hazbin-hotel-vivziepop-adult-animation-tv-interview|archive-date=January 19, 2024|url-status=live}} Following its release, Hazbin Hotel set a new streaming record for Prime Video, becoming the largest global debut in viewership for a new animated title on the platform.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/hazbin-hotel-prime-video-streaming-record/|title= A24's Long-Awaited Hazbin Hotel Show Sets Major Prime Video Streaming Record|last=Hermanns|first=Grant|website=Screen Rant| date=January 26, 2024| access-date=January 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129023657/https://screenrant.com/hazbin-hotel-prime-video-streaming-record/|archive-date=January 29, 2024|url-status=live}}

In June 1998, Mulan, an animated musical adventure film would begin showing in theaters. The film would include a bisexual captain Li Shang (voiced by BD Wong). Shang, in the film, loved Mulan when she was disguised as a male alter ego named Ping, and in her true form as a woman.{{cite web|last=Hough|first=Soren|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/features/how-disneys-mulan-brazenly-challenges-gender-and-sexuality|title=How Disney's "Mulan" Brazenly Challenges Gender and Sexuality|website=Rogerebert.com|date=December 28, 2016|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625032958/https://www.rogerebert.com/features/how-disneys-mulan-brazenly-challenges-gender-and-sexuality|archive-date=June 25, 2020|url-status=live|quote=Successful training is indeed how she captures Shang's attention...As Ping continues to try and blend in with her peers and prove herself to the captain, Shang becomes increasingly affectionate...his affection is also likely the deeper reason for him sparing her life...Shang appears to be attracted to the person regardless of gender...There is some level of ambiguity about Shang's sexuality}} However, Shang was not included in the 2020 live-action remake. One of the film's producers, Jason Reed, said that Shang was dropped in response to the Me Too movement, arguing that "having a commanding officer that is also the sexual love interest was very uncomfortable and we did not think it was appropriate".{{Cite news |last=Szany |first=Wendy Lee |date=February 27, 2020 |title='Mulan': Why Captain Li Shang Isn't in the Live-Action Remake |work=Collider |url=https://collider.com/mulan-li-shang-not-in-live-action-remake-reason-why/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229041523/https://collider.com/mulan-li-shang-not-in-live-action-remake-reason-why/ |archive-date=February 29, 2020}} This was met with social media backlash from fans of the original film and members of the LGBTQ community, with Reed initially surprised by criticism of Shang's removal, but acknowledged that the character had become an "LGBTQ icon."{{Cite news |date=March 2, 2020 |title=Mulan: Disney drop character following #MeToo movement |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51707188 |url-status=live |access-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302225205/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51707188 |archive-date=March 2, 2020}}{{Cite news |last=Rearick |first=Lauren |date=February 28, 2020 |title=Mulan" Love Interest Li Shang Was Reportedly Split Into Two Characters Because of MeToo |work=Teen Vogue |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/mulan-love-interest-li-shang-reportedly-split-two-characters-metoo |url-status=live |access-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303032415/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/mulan-love-interest-li-shang-reportedly-split-two-characters-metoo |archive-date=March 3, 2020}} He added that Shang's role would be served by two new characters, Commander Tung and Chen Honghui.

Even so, some reviewers, like Cynthia Vinney of CBR, called the interactions between Honghui and Mulan "more homoerotic" than Li Shang's in the animated version and "can be read as bisexual" while Lauren Puckett of Harper's Bazaar criticized Reed's reasoning as incorrect.{{Cite web |last=Vinney |first=Cynthia |date=September 5, 2020 |title=Disney's Mulan Is Even MORE Homoerotic in Live-Action, if That's Possible |url=https://www.cbr.com/disney-mulan-more-homoerotic-in-live-action/ |access-date=September 19, 2020 |website=CBR |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116202428/https://www.cbr.com/disney-mulan-more-homoerotic-in-live-action/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Puckett |first=Lauren |date=September 4, 2020 |title=Why Is Li Shang Not in Disney's Live-Action 'Mulan?' |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a33928432/why-li-shang-is-not-in-mulan-live-action/ |access-date=September 19, 2020 |website=Harper's Bazaar|archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116202429/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a33928432/why-li-shang-is-not-in-mulan-live-action/ |url-status=live }} Scholar Jo Johnson described Mulan as having a character, Mulan herself, who could "successfully 'pass' as the opposite sex" and as subverting her traditionally assigned gender signifiers, while having an "unusually masculine body." It was further stated that as a result, Mulan was the "perfect embodiment of a drag king" even though she maintains her heterosexuality as she is attracted to Li Sheng, comparing Mulan's interpretation of her sexuality to that of Bugs Bunny.{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 247, 255, 259-261}} Furthermore, gay playwright Harvey Fierstein voiced a character in Mulan, and only accepted the part after confirming that the rest of the cast was Asian so he would not take work away from an Asian actor.{{cite book|last=Rapp |first=Linda |editor-last=Summers |editor-first=Claude |date=2012 |title=The Queer Encyclopedia of Film and Television |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nwFuDwAAQBAJ |location=San Francisco, California |chapter=Fierstein, Harvey (b. 1954) |publisher=Cleis Press Start |isbn=978-1-57344-882-6 |page=140}}

In August 2012, ParaNorman, a stop-motion animated dark fantasy comedy horror film, would be released in the United States. In the film, Courtney has a crush on Mitch Downe and invites him to watch a horror movie. She, however, discovers that he is gay and already in a relationship when he says, "You know, you're gonna love my boyfriend. He's like a total chick flick nut!"{{cite web|last=Woods|first=Ashley|url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/paranorman-s-mitch-first-family-friendly-gay-animated-character|title= 'ParaNorman's' Mitch: The First Family-Friendly Gay Animated Character|website=Animation World Network|date=May 15, 2013|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602081817/https://www.awn.com/animationworld/paranorman-s-mitch-first-family-friendly-gay-animated-character|archive-date=June 2, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite news | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ryan/paranorman-the-movie-you-should-see_b_1773721.html | title='ParaNorman': The Movie You May Not Be Planning To See, Though You Should | first=Mike |last= Ryan | work= The Huffington Post | date=August 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305084439/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ryan/paranorman-the-movie-you-should-see_b_1773721.html |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |url-status=live }} Co-director Chris Butler said that the character's sexual orientation was explicitly connected with the film's message: "If we're saying to anyone that watches this movie don't judge other people, then we've got to have the strength of our convictions."{{cite web|title=The Film Strip: 'ParaNorman' Says You Can be Weird but Bullying is Not Ok.|url=http://www.eurweb.com/2012/08/the-film-strip-paranorman-says-you-can-be-weird-but-bullying-is-not-ok/|publisher=Eurweb.com|access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811185400/http://www.eurweb.com/2012/08/the-film-strip-paranorman-says-you-can-be-weird-but-bullying-is-not-ok/ |archive-date=August 11, 2017 }} In an interview with the Butler and co-director Sam Fell, they talked about the importance of telling a story about intolerance, bullying, and making family entertainment while "push[ing] the boundaries," with a gay protagonist.{{cite web|last=Anderson-Minshall|first=Diane|title=Why ParaNorman Featured the First Gay Character in an Animated Film|url=https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/dvds/2012/11/29/why-paranorman-featured-first-gay-character-animated-film|website=The Advocate|date=November 29, 2012|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415144253/https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/dvds/2012/11/29/why-paranorman-featured-first-gay-character-animated-film|archive-date=April 15, 2024|url-status=live}}

Reviewers positively received the show's LGBTQ representation. Jacob Combs of IndieWire said the series made history in "the quietest way possible" when a supporting character mentioned his boyfriend near the end of the film, becoming "the first openly gay character in an American animated feature."{{cite web|last=Combs|first=Jacob|url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/laikas-paranorman-presents-first-openly-gay-animated-character-240183/|title=Laika's 'ParaNorman' Presents First Openly Gay Animated Character|website=IndieWire|date=August 29, 2012|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918194734/https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/laikas-paranorman-presents-first-openly-gay-animated-character-240183/|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} Following the release of The Mitchells vs. the Machines in April 2021, Rueben Baron of CBR would describe Mitch's character in the Paranorman as "the first openly gay character in an all-ages American animated movie" and the most prominent prior to Katie's character in The Mitchells vs. the Machines.{{cite web|last=Baron|first=Rueben|url=https://www.cbr.com/mitchells-vs-machines-katie-lgbt-animation/|title=Mitchells vs. The Machines: Katie Is Groundbreaking for LGBT Representation|website=CBR|date=September 5, 2021|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405004149/https://www.cbr.com/mitchells-vs-machines-katie-lgbt-animation/|archive-date=April 5, 2023|url-status=live}}

Ten years after the release of Paranorman, Cameron Sheetz of Queerty called said the film had the horror genre's "first gay himbo character": Mitch.{{cite web|last=Sheetz|first=Cameron|url=https://www.queerty.com/paranorman-made-history-animations-first-ever-openly-gay-himbo-10-years-ago-today-20220817|title='ParaNorman' made history with animation's first-ever openly gay himbo 10 years ago today|orig-date=August 17, 2022|date=January 26, 2024|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918205309/https://www.queerty.com/paranorman-made-history-animations-first-ever-openly-gay-himbo-10-years-ago-today-20220817|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} The same year, Randy Jones of FOX 10 Phoenix would describe the film as a "trailblazer" and note the film's "groundbreaking LGBTQ representation."{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Randy|url=https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/paranorman-anniversary-first-lgbtq-character-laika-how-to-watch-stream-free|title='ParaNorman' at 10: A spooky, progressive animated trailblazer|website=FOX 10 Phoenix|date=August 22, 2022|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524043937/https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/paranorman-anniversary-first-lgbtq-character-laika-how-to-watch-stream-free|archive-date=May 24, 2024|url-status=live}} One year later, Ray Clough and Callum Jones of MovieWeb argued the film's creators did not want to portray a gay male character stereotypically, and noted that film fans would praise "the team for making Mitch's sexuality...a tiny story beat and not using it as a plot hook."{{cite web|last1=Clough|first1=Ray|last2=Jones|first2=Callum|url=https://movieweb.com/iconic-lgbtq-characters-from-horror-movies/|title=Iconic LGBTQ+ Characters from Horror Movies|website=MovieWeb|orig-date=May 8, 2023|date=October 21, 2023|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921005111/https://movieweb.com/iconic-lgbtq-characters-from-horror-movies/|archive-date=September 21, 2024|url-status=live}}

In July 2017, In a Heartbeat, an animated short film produced by Ringling College of Art and Design and funded through Kickstarter, was released.{{cite web|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/short-film-in-a-heartbeat/|title=LGBT Animated Short 'In A Heartbeat' is a Tender Love Story That Could Rival Pixar Shorts|last=Bui|first=Hoai-Tran|website=Slash Film|date=August 2, 2017|access-date=August 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601131306/https://www.slashfilm.com/552462/short-film-in-a-heartbeat/|archive-date=June 1, 2022}}{{cite web|last=Bergado|first=Gabe|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/in-a-heartbeat-short-film-gay-crush|title="In a Heartbeat" Short Film Features a Boy's Heart Chasing the Guy of His Dreams|website=Teen Vogue|date=May 17, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918184148/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/in-a-heartbeat-short-film-gay-crush|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} The short film concerns a closeted gay boy, Sherwin who has a crush on another boy named Jonathan and his heart desires to be with him. The film went viral, receiving tens of millions of views on YouTube.{{cite web |last1=Pant |first1=Priyanka |title='In A Heartbeat': Over 14 Million Views For This Animated Short Film |url=https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/in-a-heartbeat-over-14-million-views-for-this-animated-short-film-1733616 |website=NDTV |access-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327101950/https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/in-a-heartbeat-over-14-million-views-for-this-animated-short-film-1733616 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|last=Caron|first=Christina|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/in-a-heartbeat-youtube-beth-david-esteban-bravo-a-monster-calls-ja-bayona-a7881126.html|title=In a Heartbeat: How an animated short by two students became an overnight YouTube sensation|website=The New York Times|publisher=The Independent|date=August 9, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918203903/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/in-a-heartbeat-youtube-beth-david-esteban-bravo-a-monster-calls-ja-bayona-a7881126.html|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} Since its release, the film received numerous awards and was shown at numerous LGBT events and film festivals. It got shortlisted at the Academy Awards for Best Animated Short Film,{{cite web|last=Vilvens|first=Sheila|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2017/12/06/whats-boy-do-when-his-heart-outs-him-boy-his-dreams-short-film-co-created-mother-mercy-graduate-beth/927124001/|title='In a Heartbeat' on shortlist for Best Animated Short Film Oscar|date=December 6, 2017|website=Cincinnati.com|publisher=The Cincinnati Enquirer|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810115915/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2017/12/06/whats-boy-do-when-his-heart-outs-him-boy-his-dreams-short-film-co-created-mother-mercy-graduate-beth/927124001/|archive-date=August 10, 2022|url-status=live}} but did not get a nomination.

Co-creator Esteban Bravo later told NBC News that with the short film, they wanted "to challenge the preconceived notion that LGBTQ content is not appropriate or suitable for younger audiences" and that LGBTQ themes are "front and center" but that the film is "ultimately...a story about a crush," while co-creator Beth David said they tried to tell the story "from a genuine place and be as emotionally honest" as they could.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/heartbeat-animated-short-about-same-gender-crush-goes-viral-n788426|last=Truong|first=Kevin|title='In a Heartbeat': Animated Short About Same-Gender Crush Goes Viral|website=NBC News|date=August 1, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918184148/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/heartbeat-animated-short-about-same-gender-crush-goes-viral-n788426|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} In an interview with The Guardian, Bravo said he understood why studios are "afraid to portray LGBT characters" due to a part of the population not accepting of LGBTQ people, but said that he, and David believe it is "really important for them to represent these people", because otherwise it leads to a "lot of internalized confusion" for children as they are growing up.{{cite web|last=Nevins|first=Jack|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/aug/04/in-a-heartbeat-short-film-youtube|title=In a Heartbeat: the story behind the animated gay love short that's gone viral|website=The Guardian|date=August 4, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918184138/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/aug/04/in-a-heartbeat-short-film-youtube|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}}

The film was positively received for its LGBTQ themes. Matt Donnelly of The Wrap said the short film had the internet "swooning over its tenderness and timely LGBT inclusion."{{cite web|last=Donnelly|first=Matt|url=https://www.thewrap.com/in-a-heartbeat-lgbt-animated-short-internet-crying-tears-of-joy-video/|title='In a Heartbeat': Watch the LGBT Animated Short That Has Internet Crying Tears of Joy (Video)|website=The Wrap|date=July 31, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918203742/https://www.thewrap.com/in-a-heartbeat-lgbt-animated-short-internet-crying-tears-of-joy-video/|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} Brandon Tensley of Pacific Standard argued that the film "installs gay love in the canon of romances that established these clichés in the first place," and called it, in its own way, a "masterful piece of subversive storytelling."{{cite web|last=Tensley|first=Brandon|url=https://psmag.com/social-justice/in-a-heartbeat-short-film/|title=How 'In a Heartbeat' Places Gay Love in the Romantic Canon|website=Pacific Standard|date=August 9, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918194733/https://psmag.com/social-justice/in-a-heartbeat-short-film/|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} Hoai-Tran Bui of Slash Film called the film a "tender lover story" which could rival shorts by Pixar, comparing it Paperman (2012) and Inner Workings (2016), two short films, and hoped it was a matter of time before Disney and Pixar "produce a feature film with a gay lead character."{{cite web|last=Bui|first=Hoai-Tran|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/552462/short-film-in-a-heartbeat/|title=LGBT Animated Short 'In A Heartbeat' Is A Tender Love Story That Could Rival Pixar Shorts|website=Slash Film|date=August 2, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813211611/https://www.slashfilm.com/552462/short-film-in-a-heartbeat/|archive-date=August 13, 2023|url-status=live}} Christina Caron of The Independent said that the charm of the film is that it is "told without words, just music and animation." Jack Shepard of the same publication described the animated short as done in the Pixar style, and received a "hugely positive reaction" including from groups such as the Human Rights Campaign, and from others, who drew fan art of the characters.{{cite web|last=Shepard|first=Jack|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/in-a-heartbeat-animated-short-film-lgbt-gay-pixar-disney-a7872111.html|title=In a Heartbeat: The animated short film warming the Internet's heart|website=The Independent|date=August 2, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918203904/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/in-a-heartbeat-animated-short-film-lgbt-gay-pixar-disney-a7872111.html|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}}

In August 2019, Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling, a television film and sequel to Nickelodeon's 1993 series Rocko's Modern Life, began airing on Netflix. The producers worked with GLAAD to endure that the transgender character, in the form of cartoonist frog Rachel Bighead (known by a different name in the original series) as well as a plotline involving her coming out to her parents, Ed and Bev Bighead, was respectful to the LGBTQ+ community and fit within the show itself.{{Cite magazine |last1=Romano |first1=Nick |title=Rocko's Modern Life Netflix movie will feature prominent trans story arc |url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/08/07/rockos-modern-life-movie-trans-rachel/ |magazine=EW |access-date=May 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404212846/https://ew.com/tv/2019/08/07/rockos-modern-life-movie-trans-rachel/ |archive-date=April 4, 2020 |date=August 7, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Previously, Rocko's Modern Life was reported to have a "subversive coming out allegory" in an episode of the series which came out in 1996, entitled "Closet Clown."{{cite web|last=Dry|first=Jude|url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/rockos-modern-life-netflix-trans-character-lgbt-1202164114|title=Netflix's 'Rocko's Modern Life' Revival to Feature Prominent Trans Character Arc|website=IndieWire|date=August 7, 2019|access-date=September 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918194814/https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/rockos-modern-life-netflix-trans-character-lgbt-1202164114/|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} In an interview with SYFY, the creator of Rocko's Modern Life, Joe Murray said that changing Rachel's character in the film was like a "natural progression," a change better for her and "how these communities are represented in modern day" and says something like this would never had happened in the 1990s.{{cite interview |last=Murray |first=Joe |subject-link=Joe Murray (animator) |interviewer=Josh Weiss |title=Rocko's Modern Life returns on Netflix with a modern day spin, with GLAAD's close help |work=SYFY |date=August 6, 2019 |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/rockos-modern-life-creator-interview |access-date=September 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128050323/https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/rockos-modern-life-creator-interview |archive-date=January 28, 2022 }} In another interview, with Collider, Murray said they thought it would "be a natural thing" for Rachel's character to transition, that he thought it was a "great idea" but that Nickelodeon was a little shocked and hesitant at first, with Nickelodeon president Cyma Zarghami suggesting they get GLAAD involved, and the crew agreed.{{cite interview |last=Murray |first=Joe |subject-link=Joe Murray (animator) |interviewer=Dave Trumbore |title='Rocko's Modern Life' Creator Joe Murray on "Static Cling", Rachel's Transition, & More |work=Collider |date=August 9, 2019 |url=https://collider.com/rockos-modern-life-netflix-joe-murray-interview/ |access-date=September 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807044829/https://collider.com/rockos-modern-life-netflix-joe-murray-interview/ |archive-date=August 7, 2024 }}

The film was praised for centering on LGBTQ life by Devin Randall for Instinct Magazine, calling making Rachel a trans character would be "true LGBTQ representation" while Taylor Hosking of Vice described the film as a "huge step forward," noting that previously cartoons had generally "hinted at LGBTQ characters with coded references only parseable by adults," noting examples such as Betty DeVille as a butch character in Rugrats, and queer-coded villains in The Lion King (Scar) and Aladdin (Jafar).{{cite web|last=Randall|first=Devin|url=https://instinctmagazine.com/new-rockos-modern-life-centers-on-lgbt-life/|title=New "Rocko's Modern Life" Centers On LGBT Life|website=Instinct Magazine|date=August 9, 2019|access-date=September 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918203903/https://instinctmagazine.com/new-rockos-modern-life-centers-on-lgbt-life/|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Hosking|first=Taylor|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-trans-character-in-the-rockos-modern-life-reboot-is-a-huge-step-forward/|title=The Trans Character in the 'Rocko's Modern Life' Reboot Is a Huge Step Forward|website=Vice|date=August 9, 2019|access-date=September 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916173048/https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-trans-character-in-the-rockos-modern-life-reboot-is-a-huge-step-forward/|archive-date=September 16, 2024|url-status=live}} Jacob Oller of Paste said that the LGBTQ themes become "a major plot point" and changes the story from a "self-referential one-note one-liner."{{cite web|last=Oller|first=Jacob|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/rockos-modern-life/rockos-modern-life-static-cling-netflix-review/|title=Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling Is More than a Nostalgia Play|website=Paste|date=August 9, 2019|access-date=September 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918184131/https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/rockos-modern-life/rockos-modern-life-static-cling-netflix-review|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} Polly Conway of Common Sense Media said the film has positive message about unconditional love and accepting change, saying this is mainly explored "through a transgender main character's transition from male to female."{{cite web|last=Conway|first=Polly|url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/rockos-modern-life-static-cling|title=Parents' Guide to Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling|website=Common Sense Media|date=February 18, 2023|access-date=September 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921114528/https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/rockos-modern-life-static-cling|archive-date=September 21, 2023|url-status=live}} Joe Matar of Den of Geek said that LGBTQ issues are the main theme of the film and handled "in a smart, graceful, and surprisingly poignant way."{{cite web|last=Matar|first=Joe|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/rocko-s-modern-life-static-cling-review/|website=Den of Geek|title=Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling Review (Spoiler-Free)|date=August 7, 2019|access-date=September 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918203741/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/rocko-s-modern-life-static-cling-review/|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}}

On October 28, 2022, Wendell & Wild was released on Netflix. The film features Raúl Cocolotl, a transgender boy in an all-girls Catholic school.{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Tasha |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Netflix's Key & Peele reunion Wendell & Wild is a crafting miracle with a big story problem| url=https://www.polygon.com/23426753/wendell-and-wild-review-henry-selick-keegan-michael-key-jordan-peele |access-date=September 18, 2024| website=Polygon |language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101010551/https://www.polygon.com/23426753/wendell-and-wild-review-henry-selick-keegan-michael-key-jordan-peele|archive-date=November 1, 2022|url-status=live}} He is the first transgender male character in a major animated film. Raúl is voiced by transgender actor Sam Zelaya. In an interview with Them, Zelaya said there was pressure in representing something beyond himself, said he hoped that people liked what he had done, describing his voice work as "for the community as much as it is for me." He also said it was "really cool" to voice Raúl, noted that that character partially resembles him in real life, and hoped that LGBTQ children "feel seen in a way that they might not have before."{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Rendy|url=https://www.them.us/story/sam-zelaya-wendell-and-wild-interview|title=Sam Zelaya Is Making Trans History in the Stop-Motion Animated Movie Wendell & Wild|website=Them|date=October 28, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603024622/https://www.them.us/story/sam-zelaya-wendell-and-wild-interview|archive-date=June 3, 2023|url-status=live}} He also said that he was glad the film "doesn't talk down to kids" and handles many issues, including those related to trans people, well.{{cite web|last=Dry|first=Jude|url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/wendell-wild-sam-zelaya-netflix-trans-characters-1234774393/|title='Wendell & Wild' Star Sam Zelaya Proves Kids' Movies Are the Perfect Place for Trans Characters|website=IndieWire|date=October 20, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918232356/https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/wendell-wild-sam-zelaya-netflix-trans-characters-1234774393/|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} The film's director, Henry Selick, told The Hollywood Reporter said that the decision to make Raúl a trans character was decided when he was conceiving the film with Jordan Peele, in 2016, with the character inspired by Peele's life experience. He also said he cared "deeply about representation" and described it as "fact of life of people I respect and care a lot about."{{cite web|last=White|first=Abbey|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/wendell-and-wild-henry-selick-sam-zelaya-1235257835/|title='Wendell & Wild' Director Henry Selick and Voice Star Sam Zelaya on Crafting the Film's Trans Hero|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 16, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118071122/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/wendell-and-wild-henry-selick-sam-zelaya-1235257835/|archive-date=January 18, 2024|url-status=live}}

Reviewers praised the film. Laura Zornosa of Time said the film quickly and seamlessly reveals that Raúl is a trans character, noted that the film's assistant editor, Sarah Ligatich, is a trans woman, and gave notes to Selick directly, and stated that his character, along with Barney in Dead End: Paranormal Park, are primary examples of creators udng animation to "reclaim horror for queer and trans people."{{cite web|last=Zornosa|first=Laura|url=https://time.com/6226230/wendell-and-wild-paranormal-park-trans-representation/|title=How Animation Is Changing a History of Trans Marginalization in Horror|website=Time|date=October 28, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706170233/https://time.com/6226230/wendell-and-wild-paranormal-park-trans-representation/|archive-date=July 6, 2024|url-status=live}} Charles Pulliam-Moore of Collider noted that mention of Raul sort of gender transitioning is presented as "part of the broader story and the multifaceted character in a manner that rings true."{{cite web|last=Pulliam-Moore|first=Charles|url=https://collider.com/wendell-and-wild-review-jordan-peele-keegan-michael-key-henry-selick/|title='Wendell & Wild' Review: Key & Peele Reunite for Henry Selick's Spectacular Stop-Motion Vision|website=Collider|date=October 28, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116221223/https://collider.com/wendell-and-wild-review-jordan-peele-keegan-michael-key-henry-selick/|archive-date=November 16, 2022|url-status=live}}

Strange World which was released on November 23, 2022, features Ethan Clade, who is the first gay lead character in a Disney animated film.{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/events/disney-offers-exclusive-looks-at-strange-world-baymax-zootopia-at-annecy/|title=Disney Offers Exclusive Looks at 'Strange World,' 'Baymax!' & 'Zootopia+' at Annecy|website=Animation Magazine|first=Alex|last=Dudok De Wit|date=June 17, 2022|access-date=June 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620182835/https://www.animationmagazine.net/events/disney-offers-exclusive-looks-at-strange-world-baymax-zootopia-at-annecy/|archive-date=June 20, 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Quintiliano|first=Daniel|url=https://movieweb.com/disneys-strange-world-gay-romance-storyline/|title=Disney's Strange World Will Have a Gay Romance in its Storyline|website=MovieWeb|date=November 18, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925000841/https://movieweb.com/disneys-strange-world-gay-romance-storyline/|archive-date=September 25, 2023|url-status=live|quote=This is the first time a gay teen has been portrayed in a Disney cartoon, showing Disney's commitment to the representation of LGBTQ people.}} Ethan Clade is voiced by gay comedian Jaboukie Young-White. Prior to the film's release, cast and crew, such as the film's director (Don Hall) and co-writer (Qui Nguyen), spoke about Ethan's character to Variety, describing his relationship with Diazo, his crush, as organic, relatable, understandable, and noting that the character is well-rounded.{{cite web|last=Zee|first=Michaela|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/strange-world-gay-biracial-character-jaboukie-young-white-1235432785/|title='Strange World' Cast and Creators on the Disney Film's Biracial, LGBTQ Character: 'You Don't Have to Normalize Normal. It Just Is'|website=Variety|date=November 15, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417002207/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/strange-world-gay-biracial-character-jaboukie-young-white-1235432785/|archive-date=April 17, 2024|url-status=live}} Gabrielle Union, who voices Meridian Clade in the film, told The Hollywood Reporter, was "absolutely honored" to be part of telling a story of a loving and affectionate family, that the Ethan's gay identity is only one aspect of his character and not "a big deal" in the film, and commented that it would "be sad" if the film was banned in certain countries, adding it only denies people "information that we exist."{{cite web|last=White|first=Abbey|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/strange-world-gabrielle-union-international-bans-gay-lead-1235264165/|title=Gabrielle Union Says International Bans of 'Strange World' Over Gay Lead Would Be "Denying Reality"|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 17, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129033849/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/strange-world-gabrielle-union-international-bans-gay-lead-1235264165/|archive-date=November 29, 2022|url-status=live}} Jake Gyllenhaal who voices Searcher Clade in the film, said that the film helps to "normalize the normal" and said that is "exactly how every movie should be."{{cite web|last=Pacheco Muñoz|first=Daniel|url=https://gamerant.com/jake-gyllenhaal-gabrielle-union-strange-world-lgbt-representation/|title=Jake Gyllenhaal, Gabrielle Union, And More Praise Strange World's LGBTQ+ Representation|website=Game Rant|date=November 19, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119151157/https://gamerant.com/jake-gyllenhaal-gabrielle-union-strange-world-lgbt-representation/|archive-date=November 19, 2022|url-status=live}}

Reviewers praised the film for featuring a gay couple as protagonists. Javier Ocaña of El País, while criticizing the film in some ways, still noted that although the characters do not kiss onscreen, their relationship is shown naturally, and is a "historic gesture" from Disney, creating a world that is "LGBT+ friendly and villain-less."{{cite web|last=Ocaña|first=Javier|url=https://english.elpais.com/culture/2022-11-29/strange-world-disney-finally-features-a-gay-couple-as-protagonists.html|title='Strange World': Disney finally features a gay couple as protagonists|website=El País|date=November 29, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413133653/https://english.elpais.com/culture/2022-11-29/strange-world-disney-finally-features-a-gay-couple-as-protagonists.html|archive-date=April 13, 2024|url-status=live}} Kristy Puchko of Mashable said that the film feels like "worthwhile representation" and acknowledges that gay kids can "just exist in media and not have their identity treated like grounds for a teachable moment."{{cite web|last=Puchko|first=Kristy|url=https://mashable.com/article/strange-world-gay-hero|title=How one line in 'Strange World' shows Disney is finally getting queer representation right|website=Mashable|date=November 25, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917165446/https://mashable.com/article/strange-world-gay-hero|archive-date=September 17, 2024|url-status=live}} Renaldo Metadeen of CBR lauded the film for making "huge leaps in terms of queer inclusivity," despite Disney minimally promoting the film, and argued that film is filled with "messages of acceptance in a very authentic, welcoming manner."{{cite web|last=Metadeen|first=Renaldo|url=https://www.cbr.com/strange-world-disney-inclusive-movie/|title=Strange World Is Disney's Biggest Step Toward Inclusivity - For Real, This Time|website=CBR|date=November 29, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110195250/https://www.cbr.com/strange-world-disney-inclusive-movie/|archive-date=January 10, 2023|url-status=live}} Allegra Frank of The Daily Beast described the film as starring a "queer teen lead", with the link between his interracial family and queerness at the film's center, and is "shockingly progressive" for Hollywood family films.{{cite web|last=Frank|first=Allegra|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/disneys-strange-world-is-its-first-animated-movie-with-a-gay-lead-why-is-it-being-buried|title='Strange World' Is Disney's First Animated Movie With a Gay Lead. Why Is It Being Buried?|website=The Daily Beast|date=November 26, 2022|orig-date=November 23, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523063527/https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/disneys-strange-world-is-its-first-animated-movie-with-a-gay-lead-why-is-it-being-buried|archive-date=May 23, 2024|url-status=live}} Jade King of TheGamer argued that the film is undermined by Disney's previous failures with representation of LGBTQ people, while the film shows Ethan's identity and acceptance as "unexpectedly normal."{{cite web|last=King|first=Jade|url=https://www.thegamer.com/strange-world-ethan-clade-gay-romance-disney/|title=Strange World's Excellent Gay Romance Is Undermined By Disney's Past Failures|website=TheGamer|date=November 21, 2022|access-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231112146/https://www.thegamer.com/strange-world-ethan-clade-gay-romance-disney/|archive-date=December 31, 2022|url-status=live}}

In February 2021, Deadline reported that the film adaptation of Nimona was cancelled due to the shutdown of Blue Sky Studios.{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/blue-sky-studios-closing-disney-ice-age-franchise-animation-1234690310/|title=Disney Closing Blue Sky Studios, Fox's Once-Dominant Animation House Behind 'Ice Age' Franchise|work=Deadline|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=February 4, 2021|access-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209175505/https://deadline.com/2021/02/blue-sky-studios-closing-disney-ice-age-franchise-animation-1234690310/|archive-date=February 9, 2021|url-status=live}} Sources told CBR that the film was "75% complete".{{Cite web|last=Laman|first=Douglas|date=February 10, 2021|title=Disney's Blue Sky Shut Down Leaves Nimona Film 75% Completed|url=https://www.cbr.com/nimona-film-abandoned-disney-blue-sky-shut-down/|access-date=September 18, 2024|website=CBR |language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705112408/https://www.cbr.com/nimona-film-abandoned-disney-blue-sky-shut-down/|archive-date=July 5, 2023}} Anonymous staffers at Blue Sky interviewed by Business Insider bemoaned the cancellation of the film, calling it "heartbreaking," arguing that the film "didn't look like anything else in the animated world," and saying that they believe it will never "be completed and released."{{Cite web|last=Clark|first=Travis|date=February 18, 2021|title=Staffers at the animation studio Blue Sky say it's 'heartbreaking' that Disney canceled its final movie, 'Nimona'|url=https://news.yahoo.com/staffers-animation-studio-blue-sky-184530034.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218233403/https://news.yahoo.com/staffers-animation-studio-blue-sky-184530034.html|archive-date=February 18, 2021|access-date=February 19, 2021|website=Yahoo! News|publisher=Business Insider|language=en}} A few staffers confirmed to BuzzFeed News that the film had an "I love you" scene between Blackheart and Goldenloin.{{Cite web|last=Strapagiel|first=Lauren|date=February 24, 2021|title=Disney's First Feature Animated Movie With Queer Leads May Never Be Released|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/laurenstrapagiel/disney-nimona-movie-lgbtq-characters|url-status=live|archive-date=February 25, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210225194629/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/laurenstrapagiel/disney-nimona-movie-lgbtq-characters|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=BuzzFeed News|language=en}} In June 2021, Mey Rude, a writer for Out, said she still held out "hope that this film...will find its way back to life somehow."{{cite web|url=https://www.out.com/film/2021/7/01/9-new-upcoming-queer-animated-films-shorts-were-dying-see#media-gallery-media-6|title=9 New, Upcoming Queer Animated Films & Shorts We're Dying to See|date=July 1, 2021|access-date=July 2, 2021|website=Out|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701202121/https://www.out.com/film/2021/7/01/9-new-upcoming-queer-animated-films-shorts-were-dying-see|archive-date=July 1, 2021|url-status=live}} In July 2021, Meggie Gates in Bitch, said the film would have been Disney's first "legitimately queer film" and could have been a turning point "for how the corporation handles queerness" but that the Disney chose to "bury its gays" by cancelling the film, a blow to queer Disney fans.{{cite web |last1=Gates |first1=Meggie |title=Once Again, Disney Attempts to Co-opt Pride Month |url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/disney-rebrands-pride-no-lgbtq-support |website=Bitch |access-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712054914/https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/disney-rebrands-pride-no-lgbtq-support |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |date=July 18, 2021 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} In April 2022, it was announced Netflix revived the film and will be releasing it in 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/23020252/nimona-movie-netflix-blue-sky-nd-stevenson-disney|title=Nimona movie finds a second life at Netflix|first1=Petrana|last1=Radulovic|website=Polygon|date=April 11, 2022|access-date=April 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023163816/https://www.polygon.com/23020252/nimona-movie-netflix-blue-sky-nd-stevenson-disney|archive-date=October 23, 2023}}

Following the film's release, it received critical acclaim. Peter Debrudge of Variety called the film "such subversive fun", "outside-the-box" animation, LGBTQ+ themes and vocal performances.{{Cite web |last=Debruge |first=Peter |date=June 14, 2023 |title='Nimona' Review: Pink Hair, Punk Spirit and a Formula-Thrashing Story Set This Rebel Toon Apart |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/nimona-review-1235643540/ |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627222854/https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/nimona-review-1235643540/ |url-status=live }} Lindsey Bahr of the Associated Press called it a "fantasy adventure with riot grrrl energy" and praised the animation, soundtrack and lead performances.{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2023 |title=Movie Review: A fantasy adventure with riot-grrrl energy in 'Nimona' |url=https://apnews.com/article/nimona-netflix-movie-review-c5643ff486fd02165aab95b8ca65a194 |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |author=Bahr, Lindsey |archive-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626212303/https://apnews.com/article/nimona-netflix-movie-review-c5643ff486fd02165aab95b8ca65a194 |url-status=live }} Ben Travis of Empire noted that the film's LGBTQ+ themes are "undiluted, present in the very bones of the story" and the characters,{{Cite web |title=Nimona |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/nimona/ |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=Empire |last=Travis |first=Ben |date=June 21, 2023 |archive-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626153749/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/nimona/ |url-status=live }} Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter noted that one of the film's notable aspects is its "handling of the tender romantic relationship between Ballister and Ambrosius."{{Cite web |last=Scheck |first=Frank |date=June 14, 2023 |title='Nimona' Review: Chloe Grace Moretz and Riz Ahmed Voice a Delightfully Subversive Netflix Animated Film |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/nimona-review-chloe-grace-moretz-riz-ahmed-netflix-1235514278/ |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626154615/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/nimona-review-chloe-grace-moretz-riz-ahmed-netflix-1235514278/ |url-status=live }}

• Cartoon Network and LGBT representation
• Disney and LGBT representation in animation
• Netflix and LGBT representation in animation
• List of cross-dressing characters in animated series
• List of animated series with LGBT characters
• Sexuality in Star Trek
• Media portrayal of asexuality
• Media portrayal of pansexuality
• History of homosexuality in American film
• Intersex characters in fiction
• Gay characters in fiction
• Non-binary characters in fiction

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite book|ref={{sfnref|Capsuto|2001}}|title = Alternate channels: the uncensored story of gay and lesbian images on radio and television |last = Capsuto|first = Steven|publisher = Ballatine Books|year = 2000|isbn = 0-345-41243-5|location = New York|access-date = September 25, 2021|chapter=A Kiss is Still A Kiss: Television: 1980-1995|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/alternatechannel00stev/page/326/mode/2up|url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/alternatechannel00stev/mode/2up }}
• {{cite thesis |last=Cook |first=Carson |date=May 2018 |title=A content analysis of LGBT representation on broadcast and streaming television streaming television |type=Honors |chapter=A History of LGBT Representation on TV |publisher=University of Tennessee at Chattanooga |chapter-url=https://scholar.utc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1133&context=honors-theses |access-date=March 28, 2020}}
• {{Cite book|title = Up from Invisibility: Lesbians, Gay Men, and the Media in America |last = Gross|first = Larry|publisher = Columbia University Press|year = 2001|isbn = 978-0-231-52932-7|chapter= Morning Papers, Afternoon Soaps|location = New York|access-date = September 27, 2021 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aF3x8sUB1bEC }}
• {{Cite book|title = Queers in American Popular Culture Volume 1: Film and television|last = Johnson|first = Jo|publisher = Praeger|year = 2010|isbn = 978-0-313-35457-1|location = Santa Barbara, California|chapter-url = https://archive.org/details/queersinamerican0000unse/page/246/mode/2up |access-date = September 23, 2021|editor-last = Elledge|editor-first = Jim|volume = 1|chapter = "We'll Have A Gay Old Time!": Queer Representation in American Prime-Time Television from the Cartoon Short to the Family Sitcom |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/queersinamerican0000unse/mode/2up }}
• {{Cite book|title = Queers in American Popular Culture Volume 1: Film and television|last = Keller|first = James|publisher = Praeger|year = 2010|isbn = 978-0-313-35457-1|location = Santa Barbara, California|chapter-url = https://archive.org/details/queersinamerican0000unse/page/272/mode/2up |access-date = September 23, 2021|editor-last = Elledge|editor-first = Jim|volume = 1|chapter = Recuperating and Reviling South Park's Queer Politics |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/queersinamerican0000unse/mode/2up}}
• {{Cite book|title = All the Rage: The Story of Gay Visibility in America |last = Walters |first = Suzanna Danuta |publisher = University Of Chicago Press |year = 2001|isbn = 978-0-226-87231-5|location = Chicago |access-date = September 25, 2021|url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/allragestoryofga00walt/mode/2up }}
• {{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2006}} |date=August 21, 2006 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2006–2007 |url=http://www.glaad.org/files/2006-07%20Where%20We%20Are%20on%20TV.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513011511/http://www.glaad.org/files/2006-07%20Where%20We%20Are%20on%20TV.pdf |access-date=April 4, 2020 |archive-date=May 13, 2014 }}
• {{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2007}} |date=2007 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2007–2008 |url=https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/whereweareontv2007-2008.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325225628/https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/whereweareontv2007-2008.pdf |access-date=April 4, 2020 |archive-date=March 25, 2020 }}
• {{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2008}} |date=2008 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2008–2009 |url=https://glaad.org/files/WWAT/WWAT_GLAAD_2008-2009.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325225641/https://glaad.org/files/WWAT/WWAT_GLAAD_2008-2009.pdf |access-date=April 4, 2020 |archive-date=March 25, 2020 }}
• {{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2009}} |date=2009 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2009–2010 |url=https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/whereweareontv2009-2010.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326013039/https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/whereweareontv2009-2010.pdf |access-date=March 11, 2020 |archive-date=March 26, 2020 }}
• {{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2010}} |date=2010 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2010–2011 |url=https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/whereweareontv2010-2011.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328155614/https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/whereweareontv2010-2011.pdf |access-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-date=March 28, 2020 }}
• {{cite web |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2011}} |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2011–2012 Characters List |url=https://www.glaad.org/publications/whereweareontv11/characters |website=GLAAD |publisher=GLAAD |access-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904143057/https://www.glaad.org/publications/whereweareontv11/characters |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |date=2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} See the overview page [https://web.archive.org/web/20190321192308/https://www.glaad.org/publications/whereweareontv11/overview here].
• {{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2012}} |date=2012 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2012–2013 |url=https://www.glaad.org/files/whereweareontv12.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326013027/https://www.glaad.org/files/whereweareontv12.pdf |access-date=March 11, 2020 |archive-date=March 26, 2020 }}
• {{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2013}} |date=2013 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2013-2014 |url=https://www.glaad.org/files/2013WWATV.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328155604/https://www.glaad.org/files/2013WWATV.pdf |access-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-date=March 28, 2020 }}
• {{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2014}} |date=2014 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2014-2015 |url=https://www.glaad.org/files/GLAAD-2014-WWAT.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328155604/https://www.glaad.org/files/GLAAD-2014-WWAT.pdf |access-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-date=March 28, 2020 }}
• {{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2015}} |date=June 2015 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2015-2016 |url=https://www.glaad.org/files/GLAAD-2015-WWAT.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215012605/https://www.glaad.org/files/GLAAD-2015-WWAT.pdf |access-date=April 15, 2020 |archive-date=February 15, 2020 }}
• {{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2016}} |date=November 2016 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2016-2017 |url=https://glaad.org/files/WWAT/WWAT_GLAAD_2016-2017.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101081939/https://glaad.org/files/WWAT/WWAT_GLAAD_2016-2017.pdf |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-date=January 1, 2020 }}
• {{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2017}} |date=2017 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2017-2018 |url=https://glaad.org/files/WWAT/WWAT_GLAAD_2017-2018.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405160821/https://glaad.org/files/WWAT/WWAT_GLAAD_2017-2018.pdf |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-date=April 5, 2020 }}
• {{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2018}} |date=2018 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2018-2019 |url=https://glaad.org/files/WWAT/WWAT_GLAAD_2018-2019.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410224649/https://glaad.org/files/WWAT/WWAT_GLAAD_2018-2019.pdf |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=April 10, 2020 }}
• {{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2019}}|date=2019 |title=Where We Are on TV Report: 2019-2020 |url=https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/GLAAD%20WHERE%20WE%20ARE%20ON%20TV%202019%202020.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408124019/https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/GLAAD%20WHERE%20WE%20ARE%20ON%20TV%202019%202020.pdf |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=April 8, 2020 }}
• {{cite report |ref={{sfnref|GLAAD|2020}}|date=June 2020 |title=LGBTQ Inclusion in Advertising and Media Executive Summary |url=https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/P%26G_AdvertisingResearch.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620214105/https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/P%26G_AdvertisingResearch.pdf |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-date=June 20, 2020 }}

{{cite journal |last1=Brassington |first1=Thomas |last2=Ferreday |first2=Debra |last3=Girard |first3=Danielle |date=June 2022 |title=Rethinking marginality in new queer television |url=https://intellectdiscover.com/content/journals/10.1386/qsmpc_00064_2 |journal=Queer Studies in Media & Popular Culture |volume=7 |issue=Rethinking Marginality in New Queer Television |pages=3–7 |doi=10.1386/qsmpc_00064_2 }}

{{cite book |editor1-last=Campbell |editor1-first=Jane |editor2-last=Carilli |editor2-first=Theresa |editor3-last=Drushel |editor3-first=Bruce |editor4-last=Cavalcante Da Silva |editor4-first=Simone |editor5-last=Erol |editor5-first=Ali E. |date=2017 |title=Locating Queerness in the Media: A New Look |url=https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781498549066/Locating-Queerness-in-the-Media-A-New-Look |location=US |publisher=Lexington Books |isbn=978-1-4985-4905-9}}

{{cite journal |last1=Dennin |first1=Kimberly |last2=Black |first2=Rebecca W. |last3=Alexander |first3=Jonathan |date=June 2024 |title=Animating queer figured worlds: How young adult animation is cultivating queer spaces and narratives |url=https://intellectdiscover.com/content/journals/10.1386/qsmpc_00124_1 |journal=Queer Studies in Media & Popular Culture |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=119–134 |doi=10.1386/qsmpc_00124_1 }}

{{cite journal |last1=Karavodin |first1=Katerina |date=June 2022 |title=Transforming and queering identity: The influence of magical girl anime on queer-inclusive western animation |url=https://intellectdiscover.com/content/journals/10.1386/qsmpc_00128_1 |journal=Queer Studies in Media & Popular Culture |volume=7 |issue=Rethinking Marginality in New Queer Television |pages=95–108 |doi=10.1386/qsmpc_00071_1 }}

{{cite journal |last1=Mason |first1=Derritt |date=September 2021 |title=Resurrecting ParaNorman: Ghosts and gays in the New Queer Cartoon |url=https://intellectdiscover.com/content/journals/10.1386/qsmpc_00062_1 |journal=Queer Studies in Media & Popular Culture |volume=6 |issue=3 |pages=285–303 |doi=10.1386/qsmpc_00062_1 }}

{{cite journal |last1=Payne |first1=Robert |date=June 2024 |title=Queer by numbers, or what is happening to popular discourses of LGBTQ+ media representation? |url=https://intellectdiscover.com/content/journals/10.1386/qsmpc_00128_1 |journal=Queer Studies in Media & Popular Culture |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=183–199 |doi=10.1386/qsmpc_00128_1 }}

{{cite journal |last1=Robbins |first1=Andrew |date=September 2018 |title=(Trans)gendering public toilets: Queering toilet humour in South Park's 'The Cissy' |url=https://intellectdiscover.com/content/journals/10.1386/qsmpc.3.3.321_1 |journal=Queer Studies in Media & Popular Culture |volume=3 |issue=3 |pages=321–344 |doi=10.1386/qsmpc.3.3.321_1 }}

{{cite book |editor1-last=Ziegler |editor1-first=John R. |editor2-last=Richards |editor2-first=Leah |date=2020 |title=Representation in Steven Universe |url=https://www.porchlightbooks.com/product/representation-in-steven-universe--/isbn/9783030318802 |location=US |publisher=Palgrave MacMillian }}

• [https://www.glaad.org/institute GLAAD Media Institute which tracks LGBTQ (and other) representation in U.S. television shows, including animated ones]
• [https://www.glaad.org/blog Blog of GLAAD] which focuses on LGBTQ representation
• [https://www.lgbtqnation.com/tag/animation/ Animation news from LGBTQ Nation]
• [https://queeranimation.omeka.net/ Queer Animation] Database

{{LGBTQ fiction}}

Category:1960s animated television series

Category:1970s animated television series

Category:1980s animated television series

Category:1990s animated television series

Category:2000s animated television series

Category:2010s animated television series

Category:2020s animated television series

Category:LGBTQ portrayals in mass media

Category:History of animation

Category:LGBTQ history

Category:Animated television series

LGBT characters in animation

LGBT characters in animation

LGBT characters in animation

LGBT characters in animation