List Of Animated Works With LGBT Characters
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

This is a list of animated series with
lesbian A lesbian is a Homosexuality, homosexual woman.Zimmerman, p. 453. The word is also used for women in relation to their sexual identity or sexual behavior, regardless of sexual orientation, or as an adjective to characterize or associate n ...
, gay,
bisexual Bisexuality is a romantic or sexual attraction or behavior toward both males and females, or to more than one gender. It may also be defined to include romantic or sexual attraction to people regardless of their sex or gender identity, whi ...
, transgender, intersex, asexual,
genderqueer Non-binary and genderqueer are umbrella terms for gender identities that are not solely male or femaleidentities that are outside the gender binary. Non-binary identities fall under the transgender umbrella, since non-binary people typically ...
, and pansexual characters, along with other ( LGBTQ) characters. This list includes fictional characters in
animated cartoons Animation is a method by which still figures are manipulated to appear as moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film. Today, most anima ...
, 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 In the performing arts industry such as theatre, film, or television, casting, or a casting call, is a pre-production process for selecting a certain type of actor, dancer, singer, or extra for a particular role or part in a script, screenp ...
are listed below. LGBTQ characters which are guest stars or one-off characters are listed on the pages focusing exclusively on gay (in
animation Animation is a method by which image, still figures are manipulated to appear as Motion picture, moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent cel, celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited ...
and anime), lesbian (in
animation Animation is a method by which image, still figures are manipulated to appear as Motion picture, moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent cel, celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited ...
and anime), bisexual (in
animation Animation is a method by which image, still figures are manipulated to appear as Motion picture, moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent cel, celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited ...
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 is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoko Takeuchi. It was originally serialized in Kodansha's ''shōjo'' manga magazine ''Nakayoshi'' from 1991 to 1997; the 52 individual chapters were published in 18 volumes. The seri ...
'', ''
South Park ''South Park'' is an American animated sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone and developed by Brian Graden for Comedy Central. The series revolves around four boys Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormickand th ...
'', '' King of the Hill'', '' Cardcaptor Sakura'', and ''
Futurama ''Futurama'' is an American animated science fiction sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series follows the adventures of the professional slacker Philip J. Fry, who is cryogenically preserved for 1000 years a ...
''. 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 Rebecca Rea Sugar (born July 9, 1987) is an American animator and screenwriter. She is best known for being the creator of the Cartoon Network series ''Steven Universe'', making her the first non-binary person to independently create a series for ...
, calling a series which "plays with the semiotics of gender" which really stuck with her. Additionally, during this decade, ''
Family Guy ''Family Guy'' is an American animated sitcom originally conceived and created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The show centers around the Griffin family, Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter Griff ...
'' 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 ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, a ...
'' 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 icebox.tv was an animation company founded in 1999 by Jonathan Collier, Howard Gordon, Rob LaZebnik, Scott Rupp, and Tal Vigderson. The founders stated that the company was created to capitalize on the inherent "freedom of the medium" which the ...
, then later shown on
Showtime Showtime or Show Time may refer to: Film * ''Showtime'' (film), a 2002 American action/comedy film * ''Showtime'' (video), a 1995 live concert video by Blur Television Networks and channels * Showtime Networks, a division of Paramount Global w ...
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 ''Red vs. Blue'', often abbreviated as ''RvB'', is an American web series created by Burnie Burns with his production company Rooster Teeth. The show is based on the setting of the military science fiction first-person shooter series and media fr ...
'', and ''
The Boondocks Boondocks are remote, usually brushy areas. Boondocks may also refer to: * The Boondocks (band), an Estonian rock band * ''The Boondocks'' (comic strip), a comic strip by Aaron McGruder ** ''The Boondocks'' (2005 TV series), the television ser ...
'', the ongoing show, ''
American Dad ''American Dad!'' is an American animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman for the Fox Broadcasting Company. Since 2014, the series has been airing new episodes on TBS. ''American Dad!'' is the first television ...
'', 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 Rebecca Rea Sugar (born July 9, 1987) is an American animator and screenwriter. She is best known for being the creator of the Cartoon Network series ''Steven Universe'', making her the first non-binary person to independently create a series for ...
and aired on
Cartoon Network Cartoon Network (often abbreviated as CN) is an American cable television channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It is a part of The Cartoon Network, Inc., a division that also has the broadcasting and production activities of Boomerang, Car ...
. As
GLAAD GLAAD (), an acronym of Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, is an American non-governmental media monitoring organization originally founded as a protest against defamatory coverage of gay and lesbian demographics and their portrayals ...
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 ''Magical Girl Friendship Squad'' is an American adult animated magical girl sitcom created by Kelsey Stephanides and starring Anna Akana and Quinta Brunson. It follows two directionless young women who must figure out how to save the Universe. T ...
'' 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 ''Steven Universe Future'' is an American animated limited series created by Rebecca Sugar for Cartoon Network. It serves as an epilogue to the 2013–2019 original series ''Steven Universe'' and its follow-up 2019 animated film '' Steven Univers ...
'', both of which had various LGBTQ characters, ended. In anime, LGBTQ characters appeared in various productions, such as ''
Adachi and Shimamura is a Japanese ''yuri'' light novel series written by Hitoma Iruma and illustrated by Non, which began serialization in October 2012 in ASCII Media Works' ''Dengeki Bunko Magazine'' and is published under the Dengeki Bunko imprint. The light ...
'', '' 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 This is a list of polyamorous characters in fiction, including those in animation and graphic art works. It is organized alphabetically by last name of the main character involved in the polyamorous relationship, or first name if there is no las ...
* 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 Lists of American television episodes with LGBT themes are organized by period and contain articles about episodes on television in the United States with lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender themes. They include: * List of pre–Stonewall riots ...
* List of graphic art works with LGBT characters *
List of comedy television series with LGBT characters This is a list of comedy television series (including web television and miniseries) which feature lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender characters. Non-binary, pansexual, asexual, and graysexual characters are also included. The orienta ...
* 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

* * * {{LGBT fiction Animated LGBT characters