Is the LGBTQ+ Community Using Cartoons as a New Avenue to Engage With Children?

In recent years, there has been an increase in the representation and visibility of LGBTQ+ characters and themes in cartoons, both in mainstream and independent productions. But is this a deliberate and coordinated effort by the LGBTQ community to use cartoons as a platform to influence children, or is it a natural and diverse reflection of the society and culture we live in?

The facts

There is no doubt that LGBTQ+ representation in cartoons has grown significantly in the past decade, as more and more shows have featured LGBTQ+ characters and stories, either explicitly or implicitly. Some of the most notable examples include:

*Steven Universe, a Cartoon Network series created by Rebecca Sugar, a bisexual woman, features a group of alien warriors called the Crystal Gems. They are all female-presenting and have romantic and platonic relationships with each other.

*She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, a Netflix series created by Noelle Stevenson, a lesbian woman, features a diverse and inclusive cast of characters, who belong to different races, cultures, and sexual orientations. The show also depicts a canonical and complex romantic relationship between the main protagonists, She-Ra and Catra, who are both women.

*The Owl House, a Disney Channel series created by Dana Terrace, a bisexual woman, features a teenage girl named Luz, who is bisexual and has a crush on another girl named Amity, who is also bisexual and reciprocates her feelings.

These are just some of the examples of cartoons that have embraced and celebrated LGBTQ+ representation and diversity and have received positive feedback and acclaim from critics and audiences alike. However, these cartoons have also faced some challenges and criticisms, such as censorship, backlash, and propaganda accusations.

The arguments

Those who support and applaud LGBTQ+ representation in cartoons argue that it is a beneficial and necessary move that positively impacts both the LGBTQ+ community and society at large.

Some of their arguments are that LGBTQ+ representation in cartoons provides visibility and validation for LGBTQ+ people, especially children and youth, who may feel alone, invisible, or marginalised in their real lives. Seeing characters who share their identities and experiences can help them feel seen, heard, and accepted.

However, there are opposers of this notion who believe that LGBTQ+ representation in cartoons is a form of indoctrination and manipulation, that aims to influence and change children’s views and values on sexuality and gender and to recruit and convert them to the LGBTQ+ agenda.

The subtleness of the inclusion of LGBTQ+ activities in shows meant for children under 10 is a form of propaganda and activism, that seeks to advance and impose the LGBTQ+ ideology and agenda on the society and to silence and marginalise those who disagree or dissent.

Critics of LGBTQ+ representation in cartoons often express concerns about the potential influence on impressionable young viewers. They argue that by featuring LGBTQ+ characters or themes, cartoons may be promoting a particular agenda or lifestyle to children who are not yet equipped to understand such concepts fully.

Additionally, some parents worry that exposure to LGBTQ+ content in cartoons may lead to confusion or questions from their children at an age when they feel they are not ready to discuss such topics.

As with any form of entertainment aimed at children, parents and caregivers must be involved and engaged in the content their children consume. This can foster open and honest conversations about the world around them.