Nickelodeon and LGBTQ representation

{{Short description|LGBT representation on Nickelodeon}}

File:Stephen Hillenburg by Carlos Cazurro.jpg in 2011]]

This article features the history of the representation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) characters in animated productions under Nickelodeon, a subdivision of Paramount Global, including films from the studios Nickelodeon Animation Studio, and its divisions Avatar Studios and Nickelodeon Digital, and programming from Nicktoons as well as the streaming service Paramount+. From 1979 onward, when Nickelodeon was launched, the channel, and its programming blocks, like Nick Jr., has featured lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) characters in its programming.

Representation

=Queer coding=

In response to criticism from conservative Christian organizations, SpongeBob series creator Stephen Hillenburg described SpongeBob, in 2002, as asexual, not gay.{{cite web |author= |title=Camp cartoon star 'is not gay' |website=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2313221.stm |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}}{{cite web |author= |title=SpongeBob is asexual, says creator |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}} He repeated this in 2005 when the similar organizations claimed that SpongeBob SquarePants was "homosexual propaganda."{{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}}{{cite magazine |date=April 28, 2005 |title=History of the Anti-Gay Movement Since 1977 |url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2005/history-anti-gay-movement-1977 |magazine=Intelligence Report |publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121090203/https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2005/history-anti-gay-movement-1977 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=June 11, 2021}}{{cite magazine |last=Moser |first=Bob |date=April 28, 2005 |title=Anti-Gay Movement Reacts to Decision Overturning Arrest of Two Texas Men for Having Sex |url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2005/anti-gay-movement-reacts-decision-overturning-arrest-two-texas-men-having-sex |magazine=Intelligence Report |publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602051729/https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2005/anti-gay-movement-reacts-decision-overturning-arrest-two-texas-men-having-sex |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |access-date=June 11, 2021}} One 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. Johnson also noted that SpongeBob can fluctuate between "masculine aggression and...feminine positivity", and has gender ambiguity like Jerry and Bugs Bunny.{{Sfn |Johnson | 2010 | p = 247, 250-251, 258, 270}} Others noted concerns by conservative Christian groups that a certain SpongeBob episode "promote[d] gay lifestyles" and claimed it was "inappropriate for the young audience" while Hillenberg had previously stated that the series had no "gay subtext" and that SpongeBob and his friends were not gay in response to claims by evangelical leader James Dobson.{{cite thesis |last=Caldwell |first=Michael |date=2014 |title=The Occurrences, References and Projected Attitudes About LGBT Lifestyles in Children's Media:Attitudes About LGBT Lifestyles in Children's Media: A Content Analysis of Animated Films |url=https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1123&context=honorstheses |degree=Bachelors in Science |location=Portland, Oregon |publisher=Portland State University |access-date=February 14, 2025 |url-status=live |page=12}}{{cite book |last=Zingsheim |first=Jason |date=May 16, 2013 |editor-last1=Carilli |editor-first1=Theresa |editor-last2=Campbell |editor-first2=Jane |title=Queer Media Images: LGBT Perspectives |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xanTduLLgfYC&pg=PA171 |chapter=Focus on SpongeBob: The Representative Politics of James Dobson |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xanTduLLgfYC |location=Plymouth, United Kingdom |publisher=Lexington Books |pages=8–9 |isbn=9780739180297 |access-date=February 14, 2025}}

Susan Kahlenberg stated, in 2017, that Nickelodeon, like Disney, has a wide reach into U.S. households, and must negotiate "commercial interests" with "ideological production," with underrepresentation of female and transgender characters, while traditional gender stereotypes are maintained at times, among shows aired by both networks, while Nickeledon was said to position itself as "gender-neutral" in its programming, and has the capacity to reject "traditional gender codes" in programs aired.{{cite book |last=Kahlenberg |first=Susan C. |date=2017 |editor-last1=Reinhard |editor-first1=CarrieLynn D. |editor-last2=Olson |editor-first2=Christopher J. |title=Heroes, Heroines, and Everything in Between: Challenging Gender and Sexuality Stereotypes in Children's Entertainment Media |chapter=Qualification of Gender: Gender Counter Stereotypes across Disney and Nickelodeon Networks Using Content Analysis |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-igzDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA211 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-igzDwAAQBAJ |location= |publisher=Lexington Books |pages=213, 217, 222, 226, 228 |isbn=9781498539586 |access-date=February 13, 2025}} Further scholarship noted that Nickelodeon dominated children's media, along with Disney, within the United States, and that although children's television upholds "mainstream heterosexuality" there have been some instances of "resistance to heteronormativity" and stated that Nickelodeon, among other networks, had introduced new characters and series which positively represented queer individuals "in a subtle way."{{cite thesis |last=Harrison |first=Emilee |date=December 2016 |title=Part of This World--A Personal Exploration of Media and Queer Identity |url=https://scholar.dominican.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1258&context=masters-theses |work=Dominican Scholar |degree=Master of Arts |location=San Rafael, California |publisher=Dominican University of California |access-date=February 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319231219/https://scholar.dominican.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1258&context=masters-theses |archive-date=March 19, 2020 |url-status=live |page=10}}{{cite thesis |last=Timmons |first=Grace |date=December 13, 2018 |title=Social Impacts of LGBTQ+ Representation in Television on Children |url=https://soar.suny.edu/bitstream/handle/20.500.12648/13842/3361_grace.timmons.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |degree= Bachelor of Science |location=Purchase, New York |publisher=State University of New York at Purchase |access-date=February 13, 2025 |url-status=live |page=10}}

In June 2020, Nickelodeon posted a Pride-themed post on social media. Characters such as Korra from The Legend of Korra, Swoz Schwartz in Henry Danger,{{cite web|last=Voss|first=Brandon|url=https://www.logotv.com/news/312w59/nickelodeon-michael-d-cohen-henry-danger-transgender|title=Nickelodeon Actor Opens Up About His "Transgender Journey"|website=LogoTV, May 26, 2019|access-date=February 14, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226153407/https://www.logotv.com/news/312w59/nickelodeon-michael-d-cohen-henry-danger-transgender|archive-date=February 26, 2024|url-status=live}} and SpongeBob were featured. Samson Amore of The Wrap noted that while although Korra was confirmed as bisexual and Swoz as transgender, SpongeBob was asexual, with Hillenburg noting that "he never intended to write any kind of sexuality" into the series, with fans embracing Spongebob's inclusion in the post.{{cite web|last=Amore|first=Samson|url=https://www.thewrap.com/nickelodeon-celebrates-pride-with-lgbtq-themed-images-of-spongebob-and-more/|title=Nickelodeon Celebrates Pride With LGBTQ-Themed Images of SpongeBob and More|website=The Wrap|date=June 13, 2020|access-date=February 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614013147/https://www.thewrap.com/nickelodeon-celebrates-pride-with-lgbtq-themed-images-of-spongebob-and-more/|archive-date=June 14, 2020|url-status=live}} However, Bill Bradley of HuffPost noted that the social media post did not confirm SpongeBob as gay, noting Hillenberg had described SpongeBob as asexual, and Spongebob's voice actor, Tom Kenny, had called the show's characters "pre-sexual."{{cite web|last=Bradley|first=Bill|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nickelodeons-pride-post-spongebob_n_5ee764b6c5b69f24e8c450cc|title=The Truth Behind Nickelodeon's Pride Post About SpongeBob|website=HuffPost|date=June 15, 2020|access-date=February 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226153548/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nickelodeons-pride-post-spongebob_n_5ee764b6c5b69f24e8c450cc|archive-date=February 26, 2024|url-status=live}}

Spencer Bollettieri, in a post for ScreenRant in 2022, highlighted the thirty-year history of the network, noting that Nickelodeon always had a "special place" for LGBTQ+ characters, but it took many years for the characters to become "front and center," noting contributions to LGBTQ+ culture in the Rocko’s Modern Life episode "Closet Clown", featuring queer characters "mainly shielded by subtleties and metaphors," and adapting Harriet the Spy, which was "queer coded" and by Louise Fitzhugh, a lesbian author. Bollettieri further pointed to series like Degrassi: The Next Generation and Dottie's Magic Pockets, calling them bold first steps in "trying to give LGBTQ+ families a voice."{{cite web|last=Bollettieri|first=Spencer|url=https://screenrant.com/nickelodeon-pride-lgbtq-queer-cartoons-history/|title=Nickelodeon Perfectly Highlights Pride Over 30 Years|website=ScreenRant|date=June 19, 2022|access-date=February 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120101259/https://screenrant.com/nickelodeon-pride-lgbtq-queer-cartoons-history/|archive-date=January 20, 2025|url-status=live}} In another article, Bollettieri pointed to the character, Marco in Animorphs who danced with Ax in the series finale "alongside other romantic couples" and is said to lead for Marco to canonically come out.{{cite web|last=Bollettieri|first=Spencer|url=https://screenrant.com/nickelodeon-animorphs-lgbtq-pride-representation/|title=A Secret 90s LGBTQ+ Nickelodeon Character Helped Make A Great First Step|website=ScreenRant|date=June 8, 2022|access-date=February 14, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608184305/https://screenrant.com/nickelodeon-animorphs-lgbtq-pride-representation/|archive-date=June 8, 2022|url-status=live}}

=Positive representation=

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 }} 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}} Additional scholars, like Lauren Chochinov and Diana Burgos compared Korra to queer themes in Sailor Moon and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, arguing that all three give audiences a roadmap for "navigating through the coded systems of gender and sexuality that poison their narratives"{{cite journal |last1=Burgos |first1=Diana |date=December 2, 2021 |title=The Queer Glow up of Hero-Sword Legacies in She-Ra, Korra, and Sailor Moon |journal=Open Cultural Studies |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages= 248–261|doi=10.1515/culture-2020-0135 |doi-access=free }}

Animation writers Molly Ostertag and Laura Sreebny told Jake Pitre of Them, that Korra inspired them to write stories centered on queer relationships, while Shadi Petosky argued that no "specific episode or cartoon is a turning point" but stated that "overall queer liberation...happened culturally," storyboarder Mia Resella said that series like Korra give creators "ammunition" when they are pitching a series, and storyboarder Pearl Low stated that Korra made room for queer storytelling.{{cite web|last=Pitre|first=Jake|url=https://www.them.us/story/legend-of-korra-queer-ending-nickelodeon|title=How Legend of Korra's Queer Ending Changed Cartoons Forever|website=Them|date=October 2, 2020|access-date=February 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118135105/https://www.them.us/story/legend-of-korra-queer-ending-nickelodeon|archive-date=January 18, 2025|url-status=live}} Samuel Spencer of Newsweek described the ending of Korra as a "milestone", describing Korra as having the "first out LGBTQ+ character to lead a children's cartoon," noted homophobic responses to this representation from various organizations and some fans, stated that few shows have gone further than Korra, and expressed hope that young queer creators would "push LGBTQ+ representation even further."{{cite web|last=Spencer|first=Samuel|url=https://www.newsweek.com/legend-korra-ending-final-scene-korra-asami-kiss-lesbian-lgbtq-korrasami-1526733|title='The Legend of Korra': Why The Show's Ending is an LGBTQ+ Milestone|website=Newsweek|date=August 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226153516/https://www.newsweek.com/legend-korra-ending-final-scene-korra-asami-kiss-lesbian-lgbtq-korrasami-1526733|archive-date=February 26, 2024}} Scholar Olivia Stor later described confirmation of the relationship between Korra and Asami making them one of the "first canon sapphic couples in children's television cartoons."

Jeremy Blacklow, GLAAD director of entertainment media, stated in August 2017, that after Doc McStuffins, featured a lesbian (and interracial) married couple in an episode, it 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 }} In later years, media outlets and scholars would note LGBTQ+ themes in Danger Force,{{cite web|last=Ermac|first=Raffy|url=https://www.out.com/television/2021/6/07/nickelodeons-danger-force-makes-history-after-casting-trans-teen|title=Nickelodeon's Danger Force Makes History After Casting Trans Teen|website=Out Magazine|date=June 7, 2021|access-date=February 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607171237/https://www.out.com/television/2021/6/07/nickelodeons-danger-force-makes-history-after-casting-trans-teen|archive-date=June 7, 2021|url-status=live}} a Blue's Clues & You! song,{{cite web|last=Haring|first=Bruce|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/lgbtq-pride-touted-during-nickelodeon-blues-clues-song-1234692800/|title=LGBTQ Pride Touted During A Nickelodeon 'Blues Clues' Song|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 11, 2021|access-date=February 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214022519/https://deadline.com/2021/02/lgbtq-pride-touted-during-nickelodeon-blues-clues-song-1234692800/|archive-date=December 14, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Romano|first=Nick|url=https://ew.com/tv/blues-clues-and-you-alphabet-song-lgbtq/|title=Blue's Clues & You new alphabet song recognizes LGBTQ community: 'P is full of Pride'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=February 21, 2021|access-date=February 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207074623/https://ew.com/tv/blues-clues-and-you-alphabet-song-lgbtq/|archive-date=December 7, 2024|url-status=live}} Rubble & Crew (River){{cite web|last=Wiggins|first=Christopher|url=https://www.advocate.com/media/paw-patrol-rubble-crew-nonbinary|title='Paw Patrol' Spinoff Gets Nonbinary Character and the Right Freaks Out|website=The Advocate|date=September 21, 2023|access-date=February 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109002104/https://www.advocate.com/media/paw-patrol-rubble-crew-nonbinary|archive-date=January 9, 2025|url-status=live}} and The Loud House (Mr. McBride and Mr. McBride).{{cite web|last=Puglise|first=Nicole|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/jul/19/childrens-television-lgbt-characters-nickelodeon-loud-house|title=From Nickelodeon to Disney: children's TV leads the way for LGBT characters|website= The Guardian|date=July 19, 2016|access-date=February 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423142442/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/jul/19/childrens-television-lgbt-characters-nickelodeon-loud-house|archive-date=April 23, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite thesis |last=Farnworth |first=Ashlyn Ellie |date=December 2022 |title=LGBTQ+ Representation in Children's Television Programming |url=https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/downloads/z029pc34z |work= |degree=Master's |location= |publisher=California State University, Northridge |access-date=February 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225233125/https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/downloads/z029pc34z |archive-date=December 25, 2024 |url-status=live |pages=32, 44}}

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}}

Criticism

=Censorship=

Some Nickelodeon series have experienced censorship, like The Loud House and Mysticons. The Loud House was censored by a South African broadcaster, DStv, according to NewNowNext.{{cite web |last1=Manzella |first1=Sam |title=9 Cartoons That Were Censored For Being Too Gay |url=http://www.newnownext.com/gay-cartoons-censored/02/2018/ |website=Logo TV |publisher=Viacom International Inc |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318042826/http://www.newnownext.com/gay-cartoons-censored/02/2018/ |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |date=February 27, 2018 |url-status=live}} The series featured an interracial gay couple, Howard and Harold McBride, which was introduced in the episode "Overnight Success",{{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 |publisher=Meredith Corporation |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}} with the couple described by series executive producer Michael Rubiner as only natural, This couple was met with an "overwhelmingly positive reaction" from the audience{{cite web |last1=Roshanian |first1=Arya |title=Nickelodeon's 'Loud House' to Feature Married Gay Couple |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/loud-house-gay-couple-nickelodeon-1201816592/ |magazine=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712203651/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/loud-house-gay-couple-nickelodeon-1201816592/ |archive-date=July 12, 2018 |date=July 18, 2016 |url-status=live}} and would be the first pair of married male characters to be depicted on a Nickelodeon series.{{cite web|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2016/07/18/nickelodeon-makes-history-with-its-first-cartoon-gay-married-couple/ |title=Nickelodeon 'makes history' with its first cartoon gay married couple |publisher=PinkNews |date=July 18, 2016 |access-date=July 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214121309/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2016/07/18/nickelodeon-makes-history-with-its-first-cartoon-gay-married-couple/|archive-date=February 14, 2020}}{{Sfn | GLAAD | 2018 | p = 31}}

Prior to this, the series finale of Legend of Korra depicted Asami Sato and Korra holding hands. Some scholars and commentators described the moment as an inspiration for creators, and groundbreaking, ad romantic, but constrained, as this representation of the relationship was only shown in the finale, criticizing the lack of a kiss between the characters, saying it was "not allowed on screen by Nickelodeon." Others noted that while the series ending was a "milestone", and turning point for Western animation, Nickelodeon's constraints caused representation to only be subtextual.{{cite thesis |last=Wells |first=Tiffany |date=April 1, 2022 |title=The Gay Agenda: Being Accepted in Children's Media |url=https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1769&context=honors-theses |work=DigitalCommons@Georgia Southern |degree=Honors |location=Statesboro, Georgia |publisher=Georgia Southern University |access-date=February 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219003756/https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1769&context=honors-theses|archive-date=February 19, 2023|url-status=live |page=20}}{{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=February 14, 2025|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}} For instance, Mey Rude of Autostraddle noted that while the relationship between 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 }}

Scholar Olivia Stor described the "queer subtext" in the series, calling the hand-holding of Asami and Korra to be a "small gesture", with Nickeledon almost not allowing the latter to be aired, and was only explored in the sequel comic book series,{{cite thesis |last=Stor |first=Olivia |date=May 2022 |title=How Love Ought to Be: The Power of Sapphic Representation in Animated Children's Cartoons |chapter=What’s Going on Between These Two?: Queer Subtext in The Legend of Korra |url=https://scholarship.depauw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1187&context=studentresearch |work=Scholarly and Creative Work from DePauw University |degree=Honors |location=Greencastle, Indiana |publisher=DePauw University |access-date=February 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725110440/https://scholarship.depauw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1187&context=studentresearch |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |url-status=live |pages=11–22}} The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars, which was praised by reviewers.{{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}} Some stated that this comics series allowed DiMartino and Konietzko to explore the "relationship of Korra and Asami...[and] queer themes," including bisexual representation, without constraints, but has a "complicated legacy" in confronting other forms of oppression, noted the social media focus on the canonization of the relationship between Korra and Asami, and the "queer moments" within the series, which was termed "overly safe," contrast to depictions in the comics.{{cite thesis |last=Dielle Caza |first=Kelsey |date=2022 |title="The world has always been like a comic book world to me": Examining representations of queer stories in comics and other media |url=https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/handle/10012/18269/Caza_KelseyD.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y |work=DigitalCommons@Georgia Southern |degree=Honors |location=x |publisher=University of Waterloo |access-date=February 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227034447/https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/handle/10012/18269/Caza_KelseyD.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |url-status=live |pages=23-25, 29, 43-44, 59-61}}{{cite book |last=Chochinov |first=Lauren |date=2021 |editor-last1=Wiebe |editor-first=Reginald |title=Polyptych: Adaptation, Television, and Comics |chapter="What's Going On With You Two"?: Queerness, Fandom, and Adaptation in the Legend of Korra Franchise |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o_YqEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA111 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o_YqEAAAQBAJ |location= |publisher=Vernon Press |pages=111-117, 119-122, 124, 129-131 |isbn=9781648892660 |access-date=February 13, 2025}}

In June 2021, former Disney executive David Levine, who oversaw kids programming for 16 years, told Insider that "a lot of conservative opinion" drove depictions of characters of the Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon, leaving no hope for LGBTQ representation, and stated he had similar conversations, even sixteen years later.{{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}} Insider also reported that the series creator of Mysticons, Sean Jara, brought in queer writers and women into the series writing team, following the change of the series to center on four teenage girls, with these writers helping build out "an arc between lesbian characters Zarya Moonwolf and Kitty Boon." The publication noted that although Jara received support from fellow producers and Nickelodeon, one unnamed business partner was concerned that the storyline was not "age-appropriate" for young viewers. This resulted in a kiss scene between Zarya Moonwolf and Kitty Boon being cut, even as Jara fought for their romance to remain included in the series.

Awards

{{expand section|date=February 2025}}

The Danger Force episode Manlee Man features a transgender boy Quinn played by real-life transgender actor Sasha Cohen. The episode was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-announces-nominees-33rd-annual-glaad-media-awards|title=GLAAD announces nominees for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards|date=January 19, 2022|website=GLAAD|access-date=January 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112105128/https://glaad.org/glaad-announces-nominees-33rd-annual-glaad-media-awards/|archive-date=January 12, 2025|url-status=live}} The series also won a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Kids and Family Programming.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2022/awards/news/glaad-media-awards-winners-1235260593/|title=GLAAD Media Awards: Judith Light, Wilson Cruz Among Winners|first1=Wilson|last1=Chapman|first2=Antonio|last2=Ferme |work=Variety|date=May 6, 2022|access-date=May 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108120705/https://variety.com/2022/awards/news/glaad-media-awards-winners-1235260593/|archive-date=January 8, 2025|url-status=live}}

Various Nickeledon series were nominated with awards in 2023. For instance, Danger Force was nominated for Outstanding Kids and Family Programming. Additionally, the series Big Nate was nominated for a GLAAD award for Outstanding Kids & Family Programming - Animated the same year.{{cite web |last=Complex |first=Valerie |date=January 18, 2023 |title=GLAAD Announces Nominees For The 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards |url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/2023-glaad-media-awards-nominations-film-tv-journalism-nominees-34th-edition-1235224677/ |access-date=January 18, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125100304/https://deadline.com/2023/01/2023-glaad-media-awards-nominations-film-tv-journalism-nominees-34th-edition-1235224677/|archive-date=January 25, 2025|url-status=live}} Also, the film Monster High: The Movie, a spinoff from Monster High (2022), was nominated for a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Kids & Family Programming - Live Action.

In 2025, Monster High was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Children's Programming in 2025.{{cite web |last1=Pederson |first1=Erik |title=GLAAD Media Awards Nominations Revealed; 'Emilia Pérez' Snubbed |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/glaad-media-awards-nominations-2025-list-1236260334/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 22, 2025 |access-date=January 22, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129001306/https://deadline.com/2025/01/glaad-media-awards-nominations-2025-list-1236260334/|archive-date=January 29, 2025}} The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish episode "Wellsington Hotellsington" won an award for being the best new nonbinary cast member: iris menas, who voices Winn.{{cite web|last=White|first=Abbey|date=December 10, 2024|title='Heartstopper,' 'Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,' Among Inaugural Winners of The Velma Awards (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/heartstopper-primos-monster-high-velma-awards-winners-1236080133|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=January 22, 2025|archive-date=February 6, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206102706/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/heartstopper-primos-monster-high-velma-awards-winners-1236080133/}} The series won a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Children’s Programming.{{cite web |last1=Garner |first1=Glenn |title=36th GLAAD Media Awards — Full Winners List |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/36th-glaad-media-awards-winners-list-1236353186/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=March 28, 2025 |date=March 28, 2025}} The Really Loud House season 2 episode "Louds in Love", which features Luna Loud and Sam Sharp dating was nominated for the award.

See also

References

=Citations=

{{reflist}}

=Sources=

  • {{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=February 3, 2025 |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=February 3, 2025 |archive-date=April 8, 2020 }}
  • {{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 = February 3, 2025|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 }}

{{LGBTQ fiction}}

Category:2010s animated television series

Category:2020s animated television series

Category:Animated television series

Category:LGBTQ portrayals in mass media

Category:LGBTQ-related controversies in animation

Category:Nickelodeon