LGBT Characters In Animation

This is a list of animated series with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, genderqueer, and pansexual characters, along with other ( LGBTQ) characters. This list includes fictional characters in animated cartoons, adult animation, and anime. This page includes some of those on the list of crossdressing characters in animated series.

These lists only include recurring characters, otherwise known as supporting characters, which appear frequently from time to time during the series' run, often playing major roles in more than one episode, and those in the main cast are listed below. LGBTQ characters which are guest stars or one-off characters are listed on the pages focusing exclusively on gay (in animation and anime), lesbian (in animation and anime), bisexual (in animation and anime), trans, pansexual, asexual, non-binary, and intersex characters.

The entries on this page are organized alphanumerically by duration dates and then alphabetically by the first letter of a specific series.

1960–1980s

1990s

The depiction of LGBTQ characters in animated series in the 1990s changed significantly from those in previous decades. Some of the most prominent series during this decade which features LGBTQ+ characters were ''Sailor Moon'', ''South Park'', '' King of the Hill'', '' Cardcaptor Sakura'', and ''Futurama''. However, '' Revolutionary Girl Utena'' stood apart, with prominent LGBTQ+ characters, which some called one of the most important anime of the 1990s. It heavily influenced the creator of '' Steven Universe'', Rebecca Sugar, calling a series which "plays with the semiotics of gender" which really stuck with her. Additionally, during this decade, ''Family Guy'' and '' SpongeBob SquarePants'' premiered, with LGBTQ+ protagonists in both shows.

For further historical context on LGBTQ+ animated characters in the 1990s, please see the History of LGBT characters in animated series: 1990s page.

2000s

The depiction of LGBTQ characters in animated series in the 2000s changed significantly from the previous decade. In 1999, ''Simpsons'' and '' The Critic'' producer Mike Reiss who hoped to do something "good for the gay audience" produced '' Queer Duck'', the first animated TV series with homosexuality as a predominant theme. The show became relatively influential after premiering online on Icebox.com, then later shown on Showtime starting in 2000, and was received well by some in the LGBTQ+ community. While LGBTQ+ characters appeared in shows such as '' The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy'', ''Red vs. Blue'', and '' The Boondocks'', the ongoing show, '' American Dad'', which premiered in 2005, had a pansexual character as a protagonist, Roger. While the gay news anchors Greg Corbin and Terry Bates were recurring characters in the show, Roger, a space alien who lives with the Smith family, has an ambiguous sexuality.

For further historical context on LGBT animated characters in the 2000s, please see the History of LGBT characters in animation: 2000s page.

2010s

The depiction of LGBTQ characters in animated series in the 2010s changed significantly from the previous decade; especially in Western animation. One of the shows cited as being the most influential for this change in representation is '' Steven Universe'', created by Rebecca Sugar and aired on Cartoon Network. As GLAAD put it in their 2019-2020 report, the show continues to "go above and beyond when it comes to inclusive storytelling." The 2010s also brought with it shows such as ''Adventure Time'', '' The Legend of Korra'' and '' She-Ra and the Princesses of Power'', all of which had strong LGBTQ+ characters.

For further historical context on LGBT animated characters in the 2010s, please see the History of LGBT characters in animation: 2010s page.

2020s

The depiction of LGBT characters in animated series in the 2020s changed from the 2010s, accelerating like never seen before, especially when it came to Western animation. '' The Owl House'' featured some of the first LGBTQ protagonists in a Disney show, while '' Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts'' had a prominent gay relationship not previously seen in animation. In adult animation, ''Magical Girl Friendship Squad'' and ''Helluva Boss'' broke ground, the former with a lesbian protagonist and the latter with three queer characters and one transgender character. However, in 2020, '' She-Ra and the Princesses of Power'' and ''Steven Universe Future'', both of which had various LGBTQ characters, ended. In anime, LGBTQ characters appeared in various productions, such as ''Adachi and Shimamura'', '' Assault Lily Bouquet'', '' My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!'', '' Interspecies Reviewers'', '' Komi Can't Communicate'', and '' Seton Academy: Join the Pack!''.

For further historical context on LGBT animated characters in the 2020s, please see the History of LGBT characters in animation: 2020s page.

See also

* List of fictional polyamorous characters
* List of LGBT-related films by year
* List of animated films with LGBT characters
* Lists of television programs with LGBT characters
* Lists of American television episodes with LGBT themes
* List of graphic art works with LGBT characters
* List of comedy television series with LGBT characters
* List of made-for-television films with LGBT characters
* List of dramatic television series with LGBT characters: 1960s–2000s
* List of dramatic television series with LGBT characters: 2010s
* List of dramatic television series with LGBT characters: 2020s

Notes

References

Bibliography

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{{LGBT fiction

Animated
LGBT characters