Post by perhapsormaybe on Aug 9, 2009 0:19:35 GMT -5
So...I've been saying a while now that there need to be gay characters in cartoons so that children are exposed to it early on and know that there's nothing wrong with it.
Well, turns out, the more I look, the more gay characters I stumble upon.
While none were admitted to canon (well, in all but one case I'm going to cite here, someone on the show admitted that the characters are, in fact, gay, but that they couldn't put it on the show. And only one creator *tried* to show the relationship...):
1. Mr. Simmons "Hey Arnold!". Do you remember Arnold's second teacher? The one who called everything 'special'? Gay. Craig Bartlett even wanted to have his boyfriend with him in the Thanksgiving episode. I can't remember if the censors told him no or if he said that he chickened out....
2. Lexington "Gargoyles". The creator has not only said that Lexington is gay, but also that future episodes would have hinted at it (though never directly shown it).
3. Richie Foley, AKA "Gear" from "Static Shock". He was based on two different characters from the original comic, one of whom was gay. He was confirmed after the series ended to also be gay.
4. (this is the speculative one) Mr. Wink and Mr. Fibb "Codename: Kids Next Door". The creators would neither confirm nor deny this (I had a friend who asked, but I think she may have joked too much in her comment, because it ended with "you know what it looks like when two men live together and own fine china!". The writer she got ahold of responded "Oh, I know...(wink emoticon I can't remember how to make"). They were, however, based off of two Bond villains from,I think, A Diamond Is Forever, who happen to be gay. thus the speculation, but I'd say it's a safe bet.
The first 3 are actually documented cases (I can get you proof if you require it). It's a step in the right direction, but first the characters need to be *out* of the closet in the show, not just once production ends.
.....I just noticed I have yet to come across a documented case of a lesbian in a cartoon show. Hmm.
What was the point of this? Absolutely nothing. I just find it both fascinating and a little frustrating.
Well, turns out, the more I look, the more gay characters I stumble upon.
While none were admitted to canon (well, in all but one case I'm going to cite here, someone on the show admitted that the characters are, in fact, gay, but that they couldn't put it on the show. And only one creator *tried* to show the relationship...):
1. Mr. Simmons "Hey Arnold!". Do you remember Arnold's second teacher? The one who called everything 'special'? Gay. Craig Bartlett even wanted to have his boyfriend with him in the Thanksgiving episode. I can't remember if the censors told him no or if he said that he chickened out....
2. Lexington "Gargoyles". The creator has not only said that Lexington is gay, but also that future episodes would have hinted at it (though never directly shown it).
3. Richie Foley, AKA "Gear" from "Static Shock". He was based on two different characters from the original comic, one of whom was gay. He was confirmed after the series ended to also be gay.
4. (this is the speculative one) Mr. Wink and Mr. Fibb "Codename: Kids Next Door". The creators would neither confirm nor deny this (I had a friend who asked, but I think she may have joked too much in her comment, because it ended with "you know what it looks like when two men live together and own fine china!". The writer she got ahold of responded "Oh, I know...(wink emoticon I can't remember how to make"). They were, however, based off of two Bond villains from,I think, A Diamond Is Forever, who happen to be gay. thus the speculation, but I'd say it's a safe bet.
The first 3 are actually documented cases (I can get you proof if you require it). It's a step in the right direction, but first the characters need to be *out* of the closet in the show, not just once production ends.
.....I just noticed I have yet to come across a documented case of a lesbian in a cartoon show. Hmm.
What was the point of this? Absolutely nothing. I just find it both fascinating and a little frustrating.
