Jonny Kandell

My favorite anime had a gay moment!

My Hero Academia follows a classroom of superheroes-in-training, with one classmate possessing an evolving ability that can save the world. It’s high action, tons of fun, and the camaraderie between the students (Class 1-A) is beloved by fans.

I was in a history/politics-based program in high school and had the same classes with the same kids for four years straight. I know the bonds you build inside and outside school can last a lifetime. I’m legit in the bridal party for one of my fellow Contemporary Global Issues programmees. Class 1-A in MHA brings that same level of comfort, slight conflict, and mutual support that I found in my own experience. But I’m not at all biased; this show rocks. 

My Hero Academia takes place in a world where 97% of people get superpowers. The 3% is at a disadvantage in their society, with many ‘quirkless’ people longing for acceptance. Aoyama was born quirkless to a rich family, and always felt like a disgrace. The selfish parents paid a villain to grant their kid a power, giving Aoyama his belly laser ability. He has never felt okay as himself, even the power fought against his body and made him dizzy. Conforming to a hetero society, parents paying for special access to change you even though nothing’s wrong- I smell a metaphor!

It also helps that Aoyama is the most flamboyant and fabulous of the group. Out of the 20+ students, he’s known for his super stylish ways and long eyelashes. The official wiki describes him as having a feminine face, and his voice is for sure giving fem energy. And we love that! His superhero name is literally ‘Can’t Stop Twinkling’; he rocks purple and the gayest cape I’ve ever seen. His glasses genuinely slay. I love you, Yuga Ayoama.

Aoyama develops a special relationship with the show’s protagonist, Izuku Midoiya. Both are born quirkless (without powers) and though they can’t admit it to each other because of *complex plot reasons*, it’s giving two underdogs with a shared understanding of feeling different. I’m not trying to make any yaoi or ship the two together, just am pointing out their bond was special. Probably not romantic, but important.

Their growing friendship comes to a boiling point in season 7 of My Hero Academia. The trust the class has in Ayoama, which only grew since Midoriya started befriending him, makes for a pivotal plot point. To see the roller coaster of this background character and his interesting reveal THAT I DID NOT SEE COMING was such a joy. Learning about Ayoama’s past really aligns with a queer origin story.

I like to think that Yuga Ayoama leaves U.A. after the series and has a nice little life in witness protection. He made some mistakes in the past, but a calm and cool husband could bring Ayoama back to Earth. Give ‘Can’t Stop Twinkling’ a mini-series, I swear I’ll watch every second of it.

It’s so refreshing to watch a show from years past and be thrilled with its handling of gay representation. So often we see LGBTQ+ characters exploited to the max, with sidekicks reduced to flamboyant stereotypes of gay best friends or other mostly offensive roles. We’ve evolved past the Gay Best Friend Trope, we can lead films. Jonathan Bailey is proving that as he’s rumored to be the new (stunning) face of the Jurassic Park series. Even now, with writers' rooms predominantly favoring white and cis nepo babies, there is a spectrum of how people are authentically portrayed on TV and things seem to be moving in better directions.

Griffin’s Going Great!

A great character is Griffin, introduced in season 2. He befriends Amy’s snarky and dry sister, Ashley, becoming her first-ever friend. How sweet! Griffin admits that he learned to fight after being bullied and now knows how to stand up for himself. He’s masculine and ‘straight-passing’, which is such a contrast to how gay characters were presented in 2009 at the time this was airing. Don’t get me wrong, who doesn’t love Eli from Girls, Andrew Rannells is an icon. But it was just a really pleasant surprise to see a character’s identity be more than what straight audiences/writers/executives often reduce us to. And sure there are flaws with how Griffin was on screen, like they never gave him a last name according to the show’s Wikipedia, but I commend the effort and want to talk about it.

Griffin appears in only a handful of episodes, but when he’s on the screen he spouts wisdom, kindness, and coolness. He’s played by a complex character who cares a lot about his friends. He offers advice, calls Ashley out when she’s thinking of sleeping with her sister’s baby daddy Ricky, and encourages the town’s growing up gay. He’s realizing that he wants a boyfriend, pursues relationships outside of school, and he becomes Ashley’s first real confidant. A well-rounded guy!

The Magic of Season 3 Episode 9

A great episode that tackles teen dating with Christian girl Grace is episode 9 of season 3. I have to interject and say Grace surprised me and has become my favorite character. She speaks her mind, goes through a crazy emotional journey, and always looks out for her friends. In this episode, she defies the bible pushing stereotype by totally supporting a double date with her new gay friend Griffin. Grace sets up Griffin with a guy in her church that she thinks is gay named Peter. When the two meet… the new guy insists he’s straight and you could hear a pin drop. They dissolve the double date and Grace, a character who’s grown from a mostly close-minded self-proclaimed WASP to an emotional anchor for others, gives the boys space to figure things out.

Peter admits to Griffin he’s seen him at the local gay bar and appreciates Griffin for not outing him to Grace. Griffin respects Peter’s position and offers the phone number of a counselor who helped him understand his sexual orientation. The two agree to go out sometime in the future and it’s a gentle start to something maybe special.

At the end of the episode, Peter returns home and his father says “Your mother and I just want you to be happy… We don’t want you to feel like you have anything to hide…”. They assure Peter they love him, nothing’s changed, and they “just want you to have a good life and be a good person”. The episode holds a mirror to the authentic coming out experience, a real moment the soapy show pulls off so well. After his father assures him everything is okay, and even that his mom encouraged Grace to set him up with a guy (#GraceIsNeverWrong) you can see the pure RELIEF on Peter’s face. A years’ long weight lifted off his tired shoulders.

Peter, Grace’s shy friend from church who never thought his parents would understand him, can live his life out and be proud. Albeit off-screen and doubt he’ll return, it’s a great C plot for a show known for tackling modern topics. The next episode has Peter trying to re-enter the closet and be ‘gay when he wants to be gay’ which is a wild statement but I guess everyone’s coming out journey is different. 

Relating To Now

Nicholas Galitzine, a new Hollywood heartthrob (or Twitter’s white boy of the month depending on who you ask), offered his take on the many gay roles he’s taken that helped propel his fame. With the announcement of ‘Red White and Royal Blue 2’, the sequel to 2019’s book-to-screen adaptation where Galitzine played one of the main gay leads, people are starting to question if those who identify as straight are taking gay roles. Galitzine says he feels guilty about taking up queer spaces, which is a nice statement but that’s kinda all it is? Just words. It’s a story told all too often, talented gays are passed up for the ‘straight-passing’ lead to appeal to midwestern folks and overseas audiences.  I commend him for commenting on the issue of taking gay roles, but it would mean a lot more if an action was done to elevate actual LGBTQ+ voices.

More Queer Characters in the Secret Life Series

It’s no secret that Shaleine Woodley’s character Amy Juergens has been on a rollercoaster ride since getting pregnant at 15. After months of putting off telling her parents, Amy admits her situation and her mom Anne (Molly Ringwald) gets right to work being supportive. Her father George (Mark Derwin) looks to have the baby adopted by a local family, and one of the major contenders is a gay couple, Donovan and Leon. Amy’s ecstatic about the adoption (at first…) and this storyline shined an important light on same-sex couples and the state of adoption. While they don’t adopt Amy’s baby, the duo continues to take in foster kids and prove gay couples are just as worthy of being parents- a television win in 2009!

Donovan has been name-dropped a few times in the series as George’s employee at the furniture store. George, who usually is blunt and spiky, always talks about Donovan in high regard. Though he starts the series not even knowing Leon’s name (he’s reminded they’ve been married for 13 years - “Is that even legal” George remarks to which Anne replies “Marriage is more than just a certificate.” It actually ties back to the theme of the show, that relationships take work! Donovan and Leon pop up every now and then to help George, proving to be loyal friends.

Griffin, Peter, Donovan, and Leon will live forever as fictional gay characters who deserved more screen time but made a positive impact with how they were written, represented, and played. Secret Life of the American Teenager is streaming on Hulu and Disney+ with some episodes mysteriously missing.

Update (and spoilers, as of season 3): Ricky’s mom returns and she’s gay! Ricky is pretty accepting of this. Ally!

UPDATE AGAIN,I just watched season 5 and there's a lot to discuss. Anne has a wonderful coming out story and bravely discovers she's gay. Sadly there's weird jokes about a gay gene and Amy thinks she may be gay just because her mom is, which causes crazy drama. There are a ton of funny lines about the Fourth of July being a 'gay' holiday that had me cackling at the end of season 4's shenanigans. Overall good, not great!

You can always rely on Fortnite to bring our world into theirs. The game has evolved from being just a Hunger Games style free-for-all into a legitimate cyberspace for virtual concerts, pop-culture collabs, and much more. In working with the world’s biggest stars and brands, Fortnite keeps itself relevant by tying real IPs into its tried-and-true gameplay.

You may be wondering how shows, movies, musicians, and more are implemented into Fortnite. Many franchises partner with Fortnite to get their characters available to unlock through gameplay of a themed Battle Pass or to directly purchase. This encourages players to complete in-game missions that tie into whatever is the collab-of-the-month. Star Wars, Lego, and Marvel have all been worked into the game before and now it’s Avatar’s turn.

Beginning April 3, 2024, the Avatar franchise is going to be implemented in the game with awesome unlockables. Riding the success of the new Netflix live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender and the resurgence of popularity for the original series (and its sequel series, The Legend of Korra), this new battle pass is sure to make fans happy. While much more is yet to be shared, the first wave of this partnership puts a really huge emphasis on Avatar Korra.

Get To Know the Avatar

I’m thrilled that the game is giving a ton of attention to Avatar Korra! Korra is a headstrong and confident leader who has trouble navigating love throughout the show but finishes her journey in a happy relationship with another bisexual woman. Her burgeoning romance with friend-turned-lover Asami was a wonderful addition to her character’s arc throughout the series. After seasons of watching Korra suffer in both romance with trash men and against evilly strong villains, it was a relief to watch her walk into the proverbial sunset with her now-girlfriend Asami Sato.

The brief story of The Legend of Korra: it is a four-season show that takes place more than seventy years after the end of the original series. Avatar Aang is reincarnated into Avatar Korra, a headstrong young woman from the show’s isolated Southern Water Tribe. She’s grown up isolated mastering waterbending, firebending, and earthbending. All that’s to say- we show her grace for being brash and a little awkward! Like a rebellious princess, she sneaks out of her metaphorical castle across the world to the bustling Republic City, which brings Avatar into a steampunk 1920s aesthetic. After getting in trouble with the cops (icon) to begin her Avatar peacekeeping duties and learn airbending from Aang’s son, a freaking terrorist group dedicated to wiping out benders enters the fold. From there, Korra faces a new major threat each season, always having that passion within her to protect the world from falling into even more chaos.

Season three, often regarded as the best, has Korra facing an elite team of bending terrorists that poison her. That very close call with death shook her entire world, leading Korra to temporarily lose the use of her legs. She’s spiritually defeated and closes herself off to almost everyone. Except she’s been writing letters to just one person, her friend (and future lover) Asami Sato. This is our first big clue that their bond may be more than platonic.

After a three-year time jump that explores Korra’s journey of self-healing and improving mental health, she narrowly defeats the final antagonist of season 4. After exchanging physical blows, Korra appeals to the villain's humanity and empathizes with her pain. After undergoing the past season’s poisoning, Korra admits that she too is afraid of feeling weak. She’s able to win the fight with her words for the first time, and Korra’s truly grown from that firebrand teen we first met years ago. The antagonist, a metalbending dictator named Kuvira, is defeated through genuine sensitivity. As a tough, fight-first-ask-questions-later Avatar, she finally learns that being the best doesn’t necessarily mean flexing your muscles the hardest. And boy does she have awesome biceps!

Korrasami Forever

In the show’s finale, Korra (in a stunning dress) looks out at a beautiful new spirit portal she created when her mentor notes “You’ve transformed the world more in a few years than most Avatars did during their lifetimes.” Reflecting on the hard times she’s faced and the adversity she overcame, Korra declares “There’s so much more I want to learn and do”, she’s hopeful again. The Avatar is back. “I know I was in a pretty dark place after I was poisoned. But I finally understand why I had to go through all that. I needed to become more compassionate to others, even to people like Kuvira”. Finding purpose through her pain is just another reason to love Korra.

Then it happens, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Asami comes out (in an even MORE stunning dress) and offers to sit with Korra. They’re proud of each other for conquering so much and decide to plan a vacation together. They set off into the aforementioned spirit portal, holding hands and stepping into a brand new world, relationship, and life together. It’s subtle and sweet, but effective nonetheless.

Korra Meets Fortnite

Korra’s bisexuality shocked and rocked the internet in 2014. Tumblr was basically a free-for-all warzone, ironically much like Fortnite. People sourly expected Korra or Asami to end up with their ex-boyfriend Mako, falling into the hetero hell we’re all used to seeing, but like always our girls defied expectations and followed their hearts to each other. It’s known now that the show was pressured by upper management to tone down queer elements and that the creators couldn’t give ‘Korrasami’ the full build-up to satisfy all fans. But the reveal was enough for so many of us, and along with the subsequent comics of their romantic adventure in the spirit world together, these two are clearly meant to be together. Later comics explore the couple’s coming out journey and touch on homosexuality in the lore of the show.

That’s why it’s so great to see Fortnite, one of the biggest online games with a near-global audience of 221 million active monthly players, giving Korra so much love in the new Battle Pass. She’s fully embraced by the game, having two awesome cosmetic skins for fans to unlock and wear. Her glider is also available to unlock, along with a beautiful loading screen of the Avatar herself. A lot of toxicity online about Korra comes from people bitching about her character, so it’s refreshing to see the incels STFU and be forced to see Korra shine in the spotlight she deserves.

Avatar fans are all too familiar with the deluge of discord comparing Aang and Korra, but lately, I've noticed the fandom embracing both heroes. “Aang was a kid in a world that needed an Avatar, Korra was an Avatar in a world that needed a kid” or something like that. The growing empathy and hype for Avatar Korra may be connected to people’s increasing acceptance of the bisexual community. I hope all members of the LGBTQ+ find solace in Korra’s journey- I sure did.

Korra represents a lot to a lot of different folks. Though the Southern Water Tribe is fictional, it’s based on Inuit cultures and traditions that have long been too under-recognized in the media. She’s also a trauma survivor who battles severe PTSD and a legit poisoning attempt. Combined with her unexpected sexual identity, she stands as a pillar of inclusion, power, and awesomeness.

Korra may live in a fictional world, but her presence in ours makes kids know that their skin color, culture, and sexuality only add to their badassery. And being that Fortnite skews younger, it's a great introduction to one of the coolest characters on TV who happens to be bi.

Avatar Korra in Fortnite will get people talking. The haters who perpetually blame her for losing that battle in season 2 or whoever thinks the show is ‘too far advanced from the original series’ can take a break from drinking their Hate-orade and just appreciate that the Avatar is back.  

What To Get In Korra’s Battle Pass

Here’s everything you can unlock in the Avatar Korra Battle Pass (via Polygon):

KORRA PAGE 1 CHALLENGES

- Emerge from water (rewards Korra loading screen)

- Collect 4 Mythic items (rewards Avatar’s Descent contrail)

- Do 2,000 damage opponents before the second storm circle (rewards Determined Korra spray)

- Mantle, hurdle, or slide during the daytime 50 times (rewards Water Tribe Colors item wrap)

- Hit the same player with a Mythic and non-Mythic weapon (rewards Waterbender’s Battle Fans pickaxe)

KORRA PAGE 2 CHALLENGES

- Eliminate an opponent while below 50 health three times (rewards Balanced Korra loading screen)

- Collect or spend 1,500 bars (rewards Korra Reacts emoticon)

- Travel 500 distance on the train (rewards Avatar Cycle back bling)

- Hire characters or squadmates 20 times (rewards Korra’s Air Glider)

- Earn or pick up a Victory Crown (unlocks Avatar’s Flourish emote)

There’s a difference between being strong and owning your power. That’s the big takeaway in the fast-paced romance thriller from A-24, Love Lies Bleeding. The new movie has been applauded for its entertaining story, sapphic representation, and stellar chemistry between the two powerful leads. Originally picked up and promoted by famous lesbian icon Kristen Stewart, the script gained attention for its gritty look at two troubled women finding each other. Casting for this movie already had Kristen chosen to be the gym-owning lead who would eventually fall for bodybuilder vagabond Jackie. But who would play the bicep-bulging and kind-hearted love interest opposite Kristen Stewart? That’s when badass actress Katy O’Brian took to X (formerly Twitter) and shot her shot. And it paid off!

The movie tackles several issues that unfortunately unfold in many of our coming-out experiences. From being disowned by her parents, Jackie (O'Brian) lands in Lou’s (Kristen’s character) gym, and the two form a strong connection. After the start of their whirlwind romance, Lou offers Jackie a steroid that causes her to react supernaturally angry. While Lou’s intentions are always to support Jackie and her ambitions to become a pro bodybuilder, we see how passion, secrets, and using a supernatural steroid can sour even the strongest of relationships.

A Blood Pumping Movie

Just know Love Lies Bleeding is an apt title, with emphasis on the bleeding part! We are capable of giving so much heart and hurt, which Kristen’s character represents so well. Estranged from her mobster dad and plagued by a toxic past, Lou is just looking for the light. And shiny motivated bodybuilder Jackie is the perfect stepping stone for Lou to grow past her own self-hatred.

Jackie comes in as a mystery. She makes a brief call home to her little sibling, reassuring them she’s okay. But the heartbreaking moment comes when her mother snatches the phone and demands Jackie never reach out to them again. As this movie is set even earlier than now, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to recognize that Jackie was shamed for her differences. She wants to grow muscles and explore what it means to be bisexual. She’s clear about her goals and focused, and disciplined. A well-rounded character brought to life by Katy O’Brian. She would do 3-hour workouts to prepare for this role, which you can read about here.

The All-Star Cast of Love Lies Bleeding

The relationships at the core of the movie deserve acclaim. There’s a domestic violence storyline where Dave Franco’s character is physically abusive to the point his wife, Lu’s sister, and sends her to the hospital. With a nearly unrecognizable face, the sister Beth ( continues to de-escalate the ever-brewing tension between her sister and her husband. It’s so hard to watch a survivor of abuse keep making excuses, and this comes to a head in a somewhat iconic yelling match that’s won by Stewart.

Another standout is Jena Malone, who we all loved as queer-coded Johanna Mason in The Hunger Games movies. Malone plays Lu’s sister Beth, a woman married to an abusive man (played by Dave Franco). Her performance portrays how hard it is to convince survivors of abuse to leave and the nuanced emotions survivors feel towards their abuser. Anna Baryshnikov plays a townie with terrible teeth - more yellow than SpongeBob - whose crush on Stewart is enjoyably obvious. Her character adds to the complications Lou and Jackie face, and the scene of Baryshnikov ordering a round of margaritas at a local diner will stay with me forever.

Head to the Theaters!

I really recommend you go to theaters and watch this movie. Queer cinema is rare and supporting it shows Hollywood how much we care. Kristen recently came out saying her prior project, Happiest Season, one of the first gay rom-coms, faced a lot of critical changes from upper management during production. She credits fellow actor and director Clea Duvall for handling the studio’s notes with undeserved grace.

Unlike Happiest Season, however, this movie does not pull back at all. In a world where we’re either denied accurate representation or spoon-fed it through the capitalist machine, it is refreshing to see Love Lies Bleeding be so supported.

Overall I really enjoyed this movie! It’s not often enough that we get to see queer women protagonists and the same-sex relationship in this movie was *chefs kiss*. Love doesn’t have to be easy, it hardly ever is. This film proves that love is something worth being strong for.

By the way, I have that very 90s neon jacket Jackie wears in the movie. Not to brag...

Nobody fucking MOVE! Something new and gay has hit the Avatar universe. No I’m not (and never) talking about James Cameron’s CGI blue people, but the series Avatar: The Last Airbender. A Nickelodeon original show, the 61 episode series follows a world in turmoil and nations divided. A live-action series just released and changed one of the show’s minor origin stories to include a same-sex couple at its center.

The Cave of Two Lovers

One huge moment that made me really happy in the new show was the re-telling of how the city of Omashu was founded. It combines a lot of plotlines from the original series, but adds an exciting new element. In the OG show, The Cave of Two Lovers follows Oma and Shu who fell in love but were from fighting villages. They met secretly in caves, using their earthbending to carve elaborate tunnels to reach each other. But once Oma didn’t come because she'd died in the war, so Shu was heartbroken. Shu used his power to stop the war and united both villages, leading to Omashu. It’s very Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare meets Sci-fi. They were said to be the very first earth benders, a major aspect of the famed lore that makes Avatar so beloved. That’s how the story is told in the animated show from 2003. You may remember it’s from the episode with the iconic Secret Tunnel song.

This story has a small change in the new series. In the live-action version, we hear that Oma and Shu were actually both women! The original story changed the gender of Oma so they’d be lesbians. It honestly makes the tale of their love a lot more tragic- a couple having to meet in the dead of night already invokes sad imagery. But adding that they were a same-sex queer couple brings the romantic backstory into a more real context. It isn’t said they were forced to hide because they were a same-sex couple, just that they were from opposing villages, but it does make you wonder if it played a part in it. Oma dies, Shu builds Omashu for both villages, and the story ends.

There’s no storyline for gay liberation in the Avatar universe so it’s tough to gauge homophobia and queer acceptance levels across the four nations. We get a glimpse of how the other nation's felt/feel about sex-sex relationships from Kya but that's all rooted in the comics. Kya hints that the Earth Kingdom's rigid societal standards made coming out there difficult. We can see glimpses of this in the Kyoshi novels, helping complete an interesting picture. So we aren’t really sure if the new Oma and Shu kept their mountain meetings secret solely because they were from warring villages, or because their queerness wouldn’t be accepted in the light? Let’s do some research, mama.

The gay journey actually starts before episode four’s story of Oma and Shu. Fans of the series know Avatar Kyoshi, one of the main character's past lives who sometimes shows up to serve impeccable makeup, undeniable cvnt, and unbeatable strength. There are two official books about Avatar Kyoshi and they chronicle her relationship with same-sex firebender Rali. Kyoshi’s sexuality and love story with Rangi was not shown in the original show and this part of her character wasn’t revealed to fans until the recent books. But her presence is known from the hit animated series and now it’s being re-shared to new audiences with the Netflix show.

The new live action show visits Avatar Kyoshi more than the animated series’ first season did. In the 2024 series, she appears frequently and ferociously in the second episode when Aang and friends reach the island that worships her. While her relationship and lesbian identity isn’t touched on, it's still great to put so much focus on her. I hope it makes more fans interested in learning more about her and they’ll read about how gay she is in the books.

Let’s Look at Avatar Korra

Avatar Korra comes after Avatar Aang, and has her own four-season series. To clarify, the known Avatar cycle has been: Kyoshi - Roku - Aang - Korra. (Apparently, a new Earth avatar series is set to come out next year but we’ve heard that rumor for eons.) Korra finishes her tumultuous journey in love with her best friend Asami. And when they confess their love to each other, albeit infamously turned down due to network constraints, they happily join hands and walk into a new adventure together. The comics later explain how the two came out two their family and friends, the awkwardness and levity that comes with it, and how everyone was really accepting of Korra’s queer awakening. Even her ex Mako (who Asami dated too) gave his blessing in a surprisingly not annoying way. “I’ll follow you into battle no matter how crazy things get. I got your back and I always will.” is what Mako tells Korra before she speaks with Asami in the final moments of the show. Not that she needs his permission EVER, but to have your double-ex tell you he supports you two together is next-level allyship.

I like to think after Korra came out, Pride Parades hit Republic City. And Korra could sit on floats and waterbend rainbows into the sky or whatever. Korra can be a divisive show, a lot of haters (usually men) will point out her stubbornness or shortcomings as a reason to hate her. But Korra presents a complex queer woman who grows from her mistakes, and continues to expand her mind with every interaction. In the end she finds happiness with Asami and a new level of inner peace, not a coincidence!

So I’m thrilled Oma and Shu’s origin story was changed in the new Avatar live-action Netflix series. The Tale of Two Lovers has always been a tragic love story of finding your way to those you love. When Shu passes in the story and Oma creates Omashu, it's revered as a symbol of their love. So if everyone in Omashu, a huge metropolitan city, knows their home’s origin story, I think that means queerness became super normalized in the live-action Avatar world.

Why Does Representation Matter?

You may be thinking, Jonny you’re a fudging adult why do you care about this junk? Well it’s not junk so shut up! Representation is so important and is a motivator for anyone who sees themselves on screen. If you don’t think it’s important to see people like you on screen, it’s because you probably never had to look too hard to find yourself. Every fairytale of a white cis prince and princess. That’s why it’s so frustrating when people get made when gay things are added to newly made projects- it just means they're making up for lost time. And trust me, there’s a lot to be made up for.

From crappy stereotypes to downright bigotry, television can be a bully. Try to advocate for shows that paint characters in complex ways, recognize when inequity is present in the shows you watch, and create something that matters. If you don’t see yourself on screen, write yourself a role! Easier said than done, I know, but it’s just one way to make sure people like you are able to know they can shine too.

Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of my favorite and most beloved series of all time. The Legend of Korra, its sequel series, legit helped me on my personal coming-out journey. This show resonates with people because it tackles big tough topics but embraces the light at the end of the tunnel. While everything feels insane in this era of unrest, let’s all try to be a little more Avatar-like and bring balance to the world. And hope if they get a second season of the live-action show, we get to see Kyoshi and Rangi IRL. Do people still say IRL?

Not to be pushy but my favorite podcast should also be yours. It’s called Las Culturistas and it’s available on all the podcast platforms - so no excuses!

Listening to Las Culturistas is my weekly dose of queer culture injected right into my earholes. The show is hosted by two genuine best friends, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang met in college at NYU. They mention their origin stories and college days often, even having made some cool friendships along the way (like Oscar-nominee Stephanie Hsu). The two guys bonded over Nicki Minaj’s Superbass at a party and since then, they’ve been lifelong supporters of each other. From Kylie Minogue concerts (pre-Padame at World Pride) and trips together to interesting queer hotspots like Fire Island to running one of the most successful pop-culture podcasts out today, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang truly live on the ever-beating pulse of pop culture. And queer folks who love pop culture need to be tuning in!

Get to Know Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang!

Matt and Bowen each have extensive careers, finding success in comedy from humble beginnings. After years of growing up silently absorbing queer culture (although Matt’s favorite show at the time was Desperate Housewives) and exploring their sexual orientations in college (not with each other mama!), the two met like planets colliding. Working their comedy and growing their voices performing as NYU students and members of Story Pirates, a traveling story-telling non-profit, they recognized the talent in one another. In a world where sometimes two gays in the same room can go at it like rabid rats, it’s great to see a positive friendship blossom. Nearly a decade is how long they’ve been working on Las Culturistas, building a brand that would eventually be supported by Will Ferrell’s production company, Big Money Players. Episodes with special guests, iconic hot takes, and insightful takes on current events (they went  OFF during the SAG-AFTRA strike) are delectable hours of audio bliss.

While Matt and Bowen haven’t collaborated on much outside of Las Culturistas (and the live annual Las Culturistas Awards Show), the one time they shared the big screen was iconic. The two best friends starred in the 2022 movie Fire Island, written by their mutual buddy Joel Kim Booster. About the gay haven off Long Island that’s welcomed LGBTQ+ tourists for generations, the movie was a queer-centric retelling of Pride and Prejudice set on the titular spicy island- becoming a cinema classic for gays everywhere.

Matt Rogers is most known for his hilarious role on Showtime’s I Love That For You, alongside comedy icons Vanessa Bayer and Molly Shannon. His Christmas album, Have You Heard of Christmas?, was flying off digital shelves this year and bops like ‘RockaFellaCenta’ were even treated with music videos filmed at Rockefeller Center. He also voiced Twink in the short-lived, poorly marketed, but genuinely funny gay spy animated show, Queer Force. It was way more creative than people give it credit for and the jank trailer ruined the show before it even hit the streamer.

A Great Podcast for SNL Fans

Bowen is best known for his past few years of hard work on Saturday Night Live and his breakout role in Nora From Queens. He’ll also be in the upcoming Wicked movies- on the podcast, he often gives insight into Ariana, how the production is going, and what we can expect from our dear mother Elphaba. Please watch some of my favorite sketches he’s in: The Iceberg. I enjoy Bowen’s respectful transparency about working at Saturday Night Life, his honesty about the rewarding (but draining) work the job requires, and how this season has been one of his favorites due to the talented ensemble cast. In their End of Year recap episode, Yang expressed how he’s receiving a level of “care” at SNL, being treated like a valued member of a united team. Work-life balance is something everyone struggles with, and celebrities on a busy show like SNL aren’t immune to the human struggle of stress. It’s also great to hear about the celebrity interactions he has on set, of which there are many!

The celebrity guests that stop by the show add to the dynamic conversations Rogers and Yang excel at. The Seth Meyers episode brought an insightful conversation about his come-up in comedy overseas and history at SNL. Juxtapose that to guests like Patty Harrison who show up just for the good time, and you have a mix of episodes that are either heavily heartfelt or light and hilarious!

I’m impressed by the way the co-hosts can navigate big conversations. For example, an insightful interview with Roger’s absolute favorite, Kelly Clarkson, finally happened in 2023. Listeners know Matt Rogers is a Kelly Superfan, American Idol aficionado, and credits her season one win as the moment that defined culture in his life. As a fan of Matt, the show, and Kelly, it was exciting to see Las Culturistas finally meet the queen who brought Matt into the world of pop culture he excels in. Matt is the Trivial Pursuit Pop Trivia game piece if I was turned into a human.

The Show Gays On!

A fun segment near the end of every show is called "I Don’t Think So Honey” in which guests and co-hosts alike are given one minute to complain about something irking them in the mainstream. This can range from people chewing too loudly to hyper-specific instances of disgruntledness, like how Rep. Lauren Boebert got felt up at a concert for Beetlejuice: The Musical. It’s a cathartic release of stress and I find myself nodding along to their complaints, even the ones I haven’t personally experienced in my own life or career. Their relatability is as entertaining as it is palpable.

The big question Matt and Bowen ask their guests is “What was the moment that made you say culture is for you?”, meaning did any past moment in media give you an exciting awakening into the world of pop culture? Past examples from celebrity guests include watching Monty Python or seeing Wicked on Broadway. From my years of loyal listening, I believe Matt’s moment was seeing Kelly Clarkson win American Idol season 1 and Bowen’s was MadTV back in the early 2000s. Sometimes I think about how I’d answer, and iCarly is a major contender.

The Rules of Culture. Whenever the co-hosts say something iconic, they’ll catch it and dub it a “rule of culture”. They’ve even hinted at a coffee table book with the rules listed over their years of episodes. The Rules usually make sense in context, always offer a hot take worthy of conversation, and never fail to make me smile. Some brave fan on Reddit compiled them all here. A few of my favorite examples are below:

Rule 3: current events are happening as we speak

Rule 4: Saoirse Ronan is more talented than Ben Affleck

Rule 22: Disney kids, they show up and they know their lines

Rule 24: Apples and oranges? They should start saying Beyoncés and Taylors

Rule 33: all Ravenclaws were libertarian

Rule 35: unfortunately Zuckerberg has a fat ass

Rule 40: Coke and Pepsi have an ancient rivalry

Rule 58: if there's a Karla on Survivor, you know they're going far

Rule 79: some women need to be by the sea

Rule 98: Brie Larson was the sister in Trainwreck

Rule 103: you can't stop the beat

Rule 134: Denise Richards is canon

Some jokes are niche, and some are Real Housewives references that you may not enjoy- but it’s water cooler talk for Grindr HQ and that’s wonderful.

The specialty episodes are wonderful little surprises on my morning commute some days. They did a ranking of the Top 200 Moments in Culture, created the Great Global Songbook for the top 300 songs for their 300th episode, and now they’re working on the top 400 People in Culture to celebrate 400 episodes. Insane to think about them doing this for years- it’s just a testament to their friendship.

The honesty both Matt and Bowen convey is extremely admirable. Matt’s been super open about how a breakup in 2023 derailed his happiness. I appreciated the raw look at his emotions and was so happy to see him rise above the negativity to produce an iconic Christmas album. He even went on tour last month and put his all into those performances.

If you watched CNN this New Year like I did, you got to see Matt and Bowen talking with Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper around 11 PM. The hilarious segment is just four iconic gays just talking and vibing. It’s actually perfect, especially bringing up pass-around bottoms. I’m sure the CNN control room was shook by that.

Las Culturistas is a Community

If you’re interested in keeping up with Las Culturustas, you can go to the show’s Reddit where people break down episodes, what Matt and Bowen are up to, and fan theories. For example, Matt mentioned he sat next to a creepy celebrity on a plane and people sleuthed, ultimately landing on the mystery freak as (allegedly) Jared Leto. The forums are also just a nice page to talk about the show, however beware of haters. And don’t contribute to the hate either!

I had a really solid community of queer friends when I lived in Washington D.C. a few years ago for college. But COVID scattered us to the ole gay winds and being in New Jersey has left me missing that connection. People to watch Ru Paul’s Drag Race with or complain about our parents asking well-intentioned but too invasive questions. Someone to bond over the trials and tribulations of the queer suburban experience. Las Culturistas helps to fill that rainbow void.

On my wickedly boring drive to work in Trenton, usually over an hour long, the saving grace is Las Culturistas. Matt and Bowen keep me awake in the early mornings when the sun is barely out. They keep me cracking up after long days and even longer drives home. I am grateful for their humor, wit, and commitment to each other. The two always impress by supercharging each other. Bringing out the best in one another, and their loyal listeners is what makes Las Culturistas a cultural phenomenon.

Las Culch Fans and Awards

The fans of Las Culturistas are loyal and are appreciated by the duo. The co-hosts came up with funny identifiers for their audience, helping make fun little sub-groups in the already niche show. In coming up with a name for fans of the show, it was decided that four would be welcomed: Publicists, Readers, Kateighs, and Finalists. I’m a Publicist because I always talk about the show and love pop-culture news. Finalists are ultimate icons, like frequent show guest D’Arcy Carden. Yellowjacket’s Melanie Lynskey is another finalist (and super-fan of the show, her episode is one of the best of the year!). Readers and Kateighs are just another goofy fan identifier, it’s just picking your preference. And that’s fun!

Finally, an annual award show with awesome-looking trophies was made by Matt and Bowen. The Las Culturistas Awards are crazy and camp and everything we want in our entertainment. You don’t even care that it’s a fully biased award show because Padam Padam is playing and everyone is laughing. And sometimes we just need that.

Jonathan Bailey and Matt Bomer star as Washingtonians forced to hide their blossoming connection in a hostile and homophobic D.C. The show captures the consequences of love, religious identity struggles, race relations, and how someone can be both used and beloved at the same time. An extremely powerful performance by Jelani Alladin weaves into the love story of Jonathan and Matt's characters, offering a perspective to an era and community we rarely hear from. 

As someone who had their own gay awakening in Washington D.C., it's pretty cool to see the city I grew to love find its footing as a gay hotspot. I recognize locations from my college days and laugh knowing how much secret gay activity went on in the infamous Foggy Bottom, where my very queer-friendly campus still sits. It isn’t hard to put ourselves in their shoes, but having the extra connection to the city made this show even more important for me to watch. 

The show follows wide-eyed Tim (Jonathan Bailey) falling for macho manly Hawk (Matthew Bomer) during the McCarthy era of cutthroat politics. Their performances, as well as the insanely steamy hookup scenes, make this show a worthy watch. But the queer experience of the 50s, when this show takes place, deserves special attention. I felt entertained, educated, and grateful for those who came before me thanks to Fellow Travelers. 

Let’s Watch Washington

Lindsey Graham and George Santos aside, the queer community has been thriving in DC for nearly a century and Fellow Travelers embraces that. Although undercover, due to America's homophobia that was amplified by threats from pro-communist leadership, it’s fascinating to see the characters compartmentalize their sexuality for the sake of their careers. It's something I’d never think about sacrificing, I can’t separate myself from this tentpole part of who I am. But for Tim and Hawk in this show and other closeted gay people in the 50s, being associated with a ‘known’ gay person was a career death sentence. So burying romance, killing the idea of a true happy ending, was the only way a lot of these people could move forward. 

An interesting part of this time period was that people were encouraged to out each other for the sake of protecting the country. Incentives for outing other closeted people bred a firestorm of mistrust around the city of D.C. and the queer community at large. We see how the government tried turning queer people against each other. We see the consequences of this in episode one when Matt Bomer’s one-night stand is offered as a sacrifice to bury a higher-level politician’s scandal. Self-preservation vs selfishness is a big theme in the show. And quite literally people would receive lavender slips in their work mail if they were suspected of being anything other than straight. You’d be called for a humiliating public hearing and a total invasion of your privacy, outside the office, would begin. 

A Dangerous Past

The series goes on to explore how invasive and disturbing the government treats ‘suspected’ gay people. They refer to us as mentally disturbed, forcing our community to delve into underground meetups and open secret clubs. While they seem fun on the outside like a 20s speakeasy, partying with an aura of threat is never a vibe to strive for. These ironically secret yet inclusive bars would get raided if the police bribes weren’t accepted. Officers would fully break into your home, dig through your personal items, and even take note of the number of mattresses you share with your ‘roommate’. Other ‘suspected deviants’ were subjected to intimate questioning with a lie detector test, asked personal questions about their sex habits, and were put under a homophobic microscope to crack. These resilient people were always living on the precipice of getting caught, which makes me more appreciative to be able to hold another guy’s hand out in daylight today. Back then, it was dangerous to even go to an apartment party hosted by a suspected gay person, let alone an underground nightclub that narrowly permits PDA. Being careful is paramount and watchful eyes, which benefit from outing you, are always lurking in seedy 50s DC. 

Reality Lurks 

The reality of that time in America, when being gay was enough to disgrace a family and folks turned to conversion therapy for an impossible ‘cure’, is sadly not too far off from the place we exist in today. Thankfully young questioning and queer folks can be educated and learn that there are safe places for them to thrive. With protections for marginalized groups like women and queer community being stripped by Trump’s hand-picked Supreme Court, it’s hard to see how far we’ve come from the events in Fellow Travelers. But I see how hard the people then paved the way for us, and I’ll continue being unapologetically gay in their awesome honor. I hope you join me in doing the same.  

The true tragedy in this already sorrow-filled mini-series is the time jump between the 50s and 80s when the AIDS crisis was ravaging the gay community. From government negligence to a bureaucratic hatred of queer people, research on HIV and AIDS was at a minimum for years. This led millions of queer people, an entire generation of people, to feel the wrath of this seemingly unstoppable disease. When it’s finally understood how HIV can be passed, avoided, and somewhat managed, the characters are in a place where their time together is short. It’s a heartbreaking watch to see the future they could have had, represented by the happy same-sex couples walking past them in bustling San Francisco before more medical complications push the two to dire circumstances. There’s a movie trope called ‘bury your gays’ which calls attention to the fact that queer characters usually end up dying in movies and television. Given the subject matter and real-world inspiration, I don’t consider Fellow Travelers as falling short as that trope suggests. 

Claps for Jelani Alladin

Another character deserves quite the spotlight, Marcus Gaines played by Jelani Alladin. A Black journalist who endures desegregation in D.C. and the terrible loopholes white business owners would jump through, he turns their prejudice into his power by writing of the atrocities. Propelled to more prominent writing opportunities, Marcus struggles with how the white-centric Washington Post is hammering down his creativity and experiences. He also is juggling a tumultuous relationship with an incredibly talented bar singer, Frankie Hines played by Noah Ricketts. Frankie's femme personality and look make Marcus question his identity further, made only more complicated by the crackdown on gay people during that time. Marcus learns to never sacrifice his voice, love the wonderful femme Frankie, and support Tim through his woes with Hawk. The performance delivered by Alladin, capturing the unspoken shame many men of that era must’ve felt for being different, is insightful and powerful.   

So go watch Fellow Travelers and learn about queer history. So many people were wiped from the planet during the apex of the AIDS crisis and their stories shouldn’t be lost with them. Whether you know it or not, queer folks 50 years ago are the reason we can be here today.

It's time to extend our viewing queues to include Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. The three main characters are all non-white and Cate Randa (middle) is a lesbian. Now that’s something to celebrate! While Apple TV may do nothing to advertise their shows, especially action-adventure-packed thrillers with diverse casts like Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, we can do our part to spread the word. This show is fantastic, has genuine queer representation, and has growing stakes as imposing as Godzilla himself. The consequences of nuclear war are also extensively explored!

Godzilla the Gay Icon?

Godzilla is more than just a hulking monster with Chornobyl-like laser breath. Some people think his new look in the trailer for 'Godzilla x Kong The New Empire,' where he adorns magenta scales while powering up, is a sign of the ‘woke left’ invading monster media. This opinion is stupid and laughable - the queerification of the Godzilla franchise won’t come from pink spikes on his back; it comes from meaningful relationships the humans helping/hunting care for. Monster movies are always about the people trying to survive and how far they’ll go to keep love alive. Monarch gave a great look at Cate, one of the show's leads, and her same-sex relationship amid the Godzilla backdrop.

Love is hard to maintain, especially when giant monsters are roaming the planet. We see Cate deal with her tumultuous relationship, agreeing to move in with her co-worker/girlfriend but is actually cheating on her. Before they can resolve their issues, perhaps even overcome them, a monster attack takes her from Cate forever. Survivor’s guilt takes a huge role in this show about fictional monsters, making us feel grounded with these extremely raw human characters. Godzilla is a metaphor for nuclear imperialism- and nobody wins when atomic power is involved.

Without spoiling much, things are made complicated when Cate experiences firsthand the destruction brought by Godzilla in San Francisco (seen in Godzilla (2014)) and how the trauma of disaster can change a person. During the attack, Cate watched a bus of her students fall off the Golden Gate Bridge during an unprecedented monster attack, adding layers to her already complex character. Her growing depression from that incident, remorse for being unable to resolve things with her then-girlfriend, and inability to accept her cheating father's infidelities (when she did the same thing!) make her complex. You know how I love a complicated gay character!

Pink Godzilla

I'm not sure if you’ve been online lately, but since the new Godzilla trailer dropped, pink-spiked Barbz Godzilla is more of a meme than a reality. The queer community is joyously adopting Godzilla a la Babadook, but angry homophobes are busy vocalizing that Godzilla glowing pink is a sign of the end times. I fought with someone online who complained the same-sex relationship was too extreme for the show to explore, and I rebutted with something smart and sassy. Also, why are you watching Godzilla with a child and expecting it to be a no-questions-allowed space? If your kid can handle seeing monsters rip apart each other, he can learn 'sometimes boys love boys.' It's just ridiculous what parents will say to procrastinate the conversation. It doesn’t sound like good parenting…

Outside the trailer, it seems like queer culture and monster movies are joining together in a wonderfully weird harmony. I’m on a few Facebook groups for MonsterVerse fans, and some people were really angry about the same-sex love story briefly explored between Cate and Dani. ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ shows Kate still holding onto the key her girlfriend gave her before the Godzilla attack, a promise of a better life together. The show will develop Cate’s relationships with the women in her life, including a potential love triangle with the mysterious May. 

“We were good, but you don’t want good” is the last thing her girlfriend Dani says when Cate chooses to evacuate the city instead of remaining by her partner's side. Dani confronts Cate’s cheating at that moment and her inability to determine the happy path. Is she a glutton for punishment or the perfect reflection of her missing father, which the series is dedicated to finding him? It brings up moral questions about how love can survive a near-apocalypse and gives a subtle, unapologetic same-same love story for Cate to experience.

Applauding the VFX Team and Anna Sawai

I also want to applaud the show for its amazing visual effects. I’m a sucker for giant monsters (you must be bigger than Bigfoot to impress me), and the Kaijus of the Monsterverse impress me to no end! Huge in scale and threat, it’s awesome to see these mega-sized monsters go at it. The consequences of human connection in a world so rattled by atomic monsters are coolly explored by the scientific, headstrong, brave, and queer character like Cate. Anna Sawai does a wonderful job portraying Cate’s hard exterior and soft center, stealing scenes with her acting.

‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ is available to stream on Apple TV Plus. 

Bowen Yang is not Joel Kim Booster. And Joel Kim Booster is not Bowen Yang. The two are completely separate people with different careers - both hilarious in their own right - and distinctly themselves. For some reason, the concept of which comedian is which has been hard for some publications to grasp. Yang and Booster have taken to social media to justifiably complain about journalists misidentifying them, misattributing quotes, and are shining a light on why it’s careless to be mixing up the two actors. It’s a punch in the face that white comedians rarely experience, results in loss of work, and can be viewed as racist more than an honest mistake.

After years of being wrongfully mixed up by publications, Out magazine delivered an entire article about the negative implications those mixups cause - except they ALSO misattributed them. Irony at its finest, Booster took to Twitter to vent his valid frustrations. Clearly, this has been a lifelong occurrence for non-white performers and white audiences should do their part in respecting the differences between people (starting with their names). 

Respect Comedians (but not Matt Rife)

In a world over-saturated with a humorless ex-frat boy vibe and painfully unfunny Matt Rife-types, we see no issue with the media differentiating between them and their lackluster peers. Have you ever seen anybody mispronounce Emma Chamberlain? If your ass can pronounce Lady Bird’s Saoirse Ronan then you can take the time to notice, respect, and acknowledge the differences between Bowen Yang and Joel Kim Booster. 

Being that Brooklyn open mic night lineups look like the picture below, comedy specials have always unfairly favored white performers. Comedian Mo’Nique brought a lawsuit to Netflix regarding pay discrepancies in comedy specials and settled for an undisclosed amount. I’m sure if we saw how much different people made for their comedy specials, tours, and shows, race and gender play a mighty factor. Like most male-dominated industries, comedy is not immune to the patriarchal bullshit that trickles down into white cis indifference. 

Mistakes Can Cause Damage

I took an incredible class in college taught by Professor Jeffrey Blount on racial bias in the media. I absolutely think the consistent mixing up of Yang and Booster can be attributed to racial ignorance in addition to embarrassingly poor fact-checking. Representation is incredibly important to have and it's dually crucial to report on diverse people with accuracy. It’s incredibly disrespectful to be reduced to your physical attributes and subbed out for someone with entirely different accolades, experiences, and careers. Even though the two don’t even look alike, the racist implication that ‘Asians look the same and are therefore interchangeable’ looms over journalism. Back when Bowen was announced for SNL, The Hollywood Reporter used a cheery picture of Joel. After years of this nonsense, Bowen explained on his podcast how infuriating it is to constantly see these mistakes in published pieces. 

Is the collective American social consciousness unable to handle more than a few popular Asian performers? How fucked up is that. 

Joel Kim Booster is a Korean-American actor, comedian, writer, and performer who can be seen on the Apple TV show, Loot. He’s known for his thirst traps, and unapologetic truth bombs on Twitter, and created Fire Island, a re-imaging of Pride and Prejudice set in the titular gay hotspot off Long Island. 

Bowen Yang is the iconic SNL cast member who’s been making us laugh as George Santos, the iceberg that the Titanic hit, and a million other queer (and queer-coded) characters for us to enjoy. He also is the co-host of my favorite podcast Las Culturistas, where he discusses everything in pop culture with his best friend/fellow performer Matt Rogers. Bowen is Chinese-American, having moved to Colorado from Canada at a young age. Las Culturistas is extremely entertaining and I praise it to the moon and back. In addition to his podcast and SNL, Bowen has been in a ton of movies and had a major role in Awkwafina’s Nora From Queens. 

How We Can Do Better

Yang and Booster are both Asian and gay men. They work in comedy and have collaborated on projects together (stream Fire Island on Hulu). But their similarities and brief career overlap never justify misidentifying someone by the name of their colleague. And when it continues to happen to two Asian men, you start to wonder if the journalists are just simply not giving a fuck about respecting their subjects or if this is a microcosm of the industry. Do folks not want to make room for more diverse celebrities in their mental repertoire? Why do we memorize the names of every Kardashian but still have people mispronouncing Kamala Harris? 

No hate to the writer(s) who (maybe accidentally) used a picture of Booster and dubbed it as Yang, but there really should be a more savvy editor able to spot those glaring mistakes. The fact that it went to print (albeit online) in two pieces back to back, including Out magazine which champions inclusion, is profoundly annoying. Hire more diverse people in your writer's room, have diversity and inclusion training, and just make the effort to not do it again. 

Booster tweeted how he and Yang agreed to no longer politely excuse these mistakes, which happen far too often to be considered a coincidence. Why are people mixing them up? Why is there a lack of awareness for Asian men in comedy and society’s race-blind ignorance doesn’t give a fuck about getting it right? Be a better ally to the Asian and LGBTQ+ community by making sure folks are being respected when being addressed. And keep an eye out for media publications doing damage by mixing up their non-white subjects.  

If you’ve been on TikTok lately, your feed is flooded with clips from Dreamworks’ new movie Trolls 3 Band Together. And if it’s not - prepare to listen to the earworm Better Place from the movie, which features the first new single from NSYNC since 2002.

I want to welcome you into the TCU: Trolls Cinematic Universe. The first Trolls movie dealt with a pretty unextraordinary plot about finding happiness in its many forms but stood out thanks to super performances by Anna Kendrick as peppy pink-haired troll Poppy and the easy-to-meme dour Branch, voiced by Justin Timberlake. It was the second movie, Trolls World Tour that caught my attention and praise for its deep lore and fun storytelling.

Learning from Trolls

Of course, Trolls is a movie made for children, but like most kid’s media, the adults behind the magic are weaving in deep lessons for all audiences to engage with. Where kids laugh, adults can laugh and think. This can spark important conversations and teach lessons that exist outside of ourselves. Teach empathy, parents!

The sequel, Trolls World Tour, deals with heavy topics like revisionist history, the repatriation of cultural significant artifacts to their rightful people, and has a really well-written storyline about how our differences should be celebrated, not ignored for the sake of assimilation. Deep, right? The film explores how there are 6 main music genres of Troll societies, with several subgroups like K-Pop or Reggae Trolls, and how the history Poppy was taught is false. It turns out that her people, the Pop music trolls, stole the magic strings from the Funk, Techno, Classical, Country, and Rock Trolls. Akin to stealing the other culture’s musical lifeforce, a huge aspect of any society’s identity, Poppy had to reconcile with the fact that their decades of happiness came at the cost of others' joy.

When Poppy agrees to right her ancestor’s wrongs and returns the strings, she’s taught that the strings exist to celebrate different music genres. The various cultures end the movie singing together, feeling empowered to make their way in their own genres. It’s an effective lesson about understanding how to correct the mistakes of the past and accepting the future is going to be a diverse harmony. It was a wonderful watch!

Trolls 3 Band Together leans more into Branch and Poppy’s relationship, along with Branch confronting his toxic family and standing up to his 4 older brothers. Not a queer storyline but it was nice to see that Branch’s troll family can overcome shitty things, like being abducted and drained of their talent by two performer icons, Velvet and Veneer. They’re basically Sharpay and Ryan from High School Musical, fast approaching fame with vastly different levels of respect for others.

Veneer: Queer Icon

Veneer is voiced by Andrew Rannells, a queer icon who has been giving us hilarious characters from Eliot on Girls to Gary {Prince on Adventure Time: Fiona and Cake. He was also on this short-lived sitcom in the early 2010s that was pretty groundbreaking about a same-sex couple living with their surrogate called The New Normal.

Veneer falls victim to his sister’s malicious ways and gives a quirky along-for-the-ride energy throughout the movie, making him not the main villain but someone we root for to flip sides. Someone kind enough with the capacity to change- a complex queer character! He explains throughout the movie that he’s only along with stealing the Trolls and using their talent as their own because it’s what his sister wants. When he offers that they consider practicing to improve, instead of killing Trolls, his sister scoffs. There’s even a really manipulative scene where Velvet confides in Floyd, one of Branch’s captured brothers, that he can’t go against his sister. The trapped Troll explains that if Veneer's sister really cared about him, she wouldn’t keep forcing him to use music-enhancing trolls like Barry Bond steroids. Veneer considers his sister’s emotional abuse, but sneaky Velvet plays to his sympathies and convinces him to keep the Troll for their concert.

Here For Veneer

TikTok has dubbed him ‘zesty’ (Gen Z for gay af lol) and there are tons of compilations of his funniest lines. One hilarious and gay moment from Veneer, brought perfectly to life by Andrew Rannells, is when the chaotic siblings are reminiscing about their childhood. Now that they’re pop stars (using the Trolls’ Musical Life energy - it’s a lot but makes sense trust me) Velvet exclaims “Do you want to go back to the BAD place where we had NOTHING!?” which Venner shatters with the snippy line “Girl we lived in the suburbs, our parents were dentists.”

Veneer is unapologetically himself, so much so that he confronts his sister at the end of the movie when justice is served by exclaiming “You knew who I was and you wanted me to change anyways. That’s not okay… family or not.” He’s learned to stand up for himself! We see growth and change in a male character who presents femme and I’m excited about that. You should be too! Also, check out his sick makeup and hair- could he be more iconic?

The Lance Bass Glitter Troll

In the same vein as Glee, where the covers take the iconic moments of songs and mash them up with other bops trending in the cultural zeitgeist, Trolls’ soundtrack has some hits. The third movie is boy-band-themed and brings some really exciting music to the screen. Better Places featuring NSYNC is a certified club anthem and I currently can’t stop listening to it.

A final note on Trolls 3 is that NSYNC members make a cameo at the end of the movie, in Troll form of course. A Lance Bass Troll named Boom has an awesome glitter-covered body and rainbow-layered hair. It’s queer and subtle and I appreciated seeing the design reflect the proud gay person Bass is. It’s not enough to be a statement or get them banned in Russia a la Steven Universe, but it is a great homage to Bass’s queer identity.

I want to write about a queer and trans icon in the Nintendo mainstream. Her style is iconic, her big red bow is always shining, and her pink snout would make Miss. Piggy quake with insecurity. I’m talking about the baddest bitch in Mario, someone who curiously isn't included in many of the main games, but has developed a dedicated cult following from the LGBTQIA+ community. Of course, this is… Birdo!

Birdo doesn’t talk - she serves glorious looks and makes divine honking noises. Her huge, over-the-top lashes make her giant diamond ring pop. She’s become a beacon for queer and questioning folks to turn to because of her vaguely translated biographies from Japanese magazines that dub her a woman sometimes and a man others. Whether you’re playing Mario Party or Mario Kart, it’s always a better experience when Birdo is a playable character.

Beginnings of Birdo

Birdo arrived in 1988 as a random background enemy in Super Mario Bros 2, but after a while, she re-emerged as Yoshi’s go-to partner. Their relationship isn’t clear, probably because they’re both lowkey treated like animals in their universe, but it’s clear Yoshi and Birdo serve as a power couple. If you recall Mario Kart Double Dash paired the two and gave quirky kids like me options beyond the binary. While Yoshi’s, and especially Birdo’s, gender identity was never explored in the canon (Nintendo’s lore), she’s still cemented herself as a trans legend.

Old game magazines from Japan referred to Birdo as someone “He thinks he is a girl... he'd rather be called 'birdetta'”, which could be chocked up to a weird translation BUT members of the queer community have reclaimed Birdo’s innocuous gender description and revamped it to be a trans origin. Birdo’s hype supports the counterculture against gendered video games and their characters. For example, Pokemon games always make you choose between one of those two genders, really forcing kids to choose a side at a young age. But with Birdo’s inclusion in Mario Kart Double Dash, you were able to dip your toe in or fully swim in the waters of playing as someone perfectly different.

Birdo was a way for closeted boys like me to experiment playing with characters who were *traditionally* girly- someone pink with a big diamond ring, but it wasn’t too whack because she is a dinosaur. It was a magenta smokescreen for sensitive boys like me to play as her- be her. It was weird to play as Birdo but nowhere near as outing as playing as Princess Peach. Thankfully new Mario games include female-identifying characters instead of just relying on the plumbers to get the job done. I did a playthrough of Mario Wonder as Toadette and had a blast! I wish Birdo was available to play as in the game, maybe she’ll be added to the next one.

Birdo's inclusion in more Mario games was a great thing. People registered her as a respected woman in the Mushroom Kingdom just like Peach or Toadette, even though Birdo was never given any dialogue. Just a lot of honking noises. But even wordless, she’s able to kick ass in so many Mario Games. She was the first DLC addition to Mario Kart 8 and is considered one of the best racers due to her stats. The Birdo revolution is upon us and it’s beautiful.

What We Can All Learn from Birdo

I think characters like Birdo, who aren’t explicitly labeled as trans but give kids the freedom to infer it, should be embraced by Nintendo. Birdo’s inclusion is a sign that trans folks can play with everyone and be an exciting person to root for. Next time you play a game and see Birdo, be sure to tell your friends about her vague origins and the path she’s carving for the Mario franchise. Could video game movies be the new MCU? Since they announced a live action The Legend of Zelda movie, tons of people are requesting Hunter Schafer (Euphoria, A Ballad of Songbird and Snakes) to play Zelda in a live-action Link film. Casting an icon like Hunter, who has been pushing boundaries as a proud trans actor and model, would be an incredible casting choice regarding representation for the LGBTQ+ community. Regardless of future casting decisions, just support trans characters and actors who deserve respect.

There is an ongoing joke that diverse queer characters are never human, which diminishes the ‘authentic representation’ companies are pandering for. The Other Two had an amazing moment of it that I’ll link, where Disney’s first gay character was… a green blob named Globby. Kind of hard to have a momentous moment when the ‘gay’ character isn’t even humanoid. Birdo isn’t a soulless cash grab like Globby, nor is she a perfect representation of the trans experience. I just think she is a character we need to vocally root for and show Nintendo they should embrace her trans identity. Right now Birdo’s excluded from a lot of merch, even finding a stuffed animal of her is difficult. Make noise online to cheer Birdo on so she gets her own game one day.

Trans students in New Jersey are under attack from a covert group of conservative ‘parental rights’ advocates, repealing safety measures for trans students.

An evil storm has been brewing across New Jersey this past year. Fanned by the flames of ugly Ron DeSantis, hate, bigotry, and the evil group Moms For Liberty, many school districts have targeted and repealed Policy 5756. This policy, which was put into place by Republican Chris Christie years ago, helps trans children change their gender identity without automatic parental contact. This was put into place to protect students who may not feel safe coming out at home and want to take their time figuring out who they are. But because of the actions of Freehold Township Board of Ed members, the safety to come out at school without one’s parents knowing is now an impossibility. Instead, punitive measures are to be taken for teachers who don’t report students who request a transition of pronouns, putting teachers and allies in precarious situations.

I’ve been to several school board meetings on this issue and it always gets everyone in a tizzy. People really love to let their transphobia shine when they get up to the microphone in the middle school auditorium. One person compared being gay and trans to having an illness - and she was on the school board! My friends and I were sitting in the back, dumbfounded that this oxygen-needing octogenarian is under the impression that being queer is an ailment meant to be fixed.

Trans Rights Are Human Rights

I did see a wholesome turnout of allies and members of the queer community, including several trans folks who ALL advocated against this policy. Statistics were read, including that only five students had requested a pronoun change in the last several years. Exemplifying that this is a movement to make the hetero-masses feel comfortable and give parents unfiltered control over their child’s development. So many parents on the bad side kept saying ‘I deserve to know EVERYTHING my child is doing’ without a thought. Maybe trust your child to develop at their own pace? Create an environment where they feel safe talking to you. Former Principal of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Dianne Brethauer, advocated to fully access your child’s phone to monitor everything from Snapchat to websites searched to messages sent. Not only is this psycho mom behavior, but (as someone who’s admittedly more kid than parent) I would resent my mom so much if she made me do that! Is invading someone’s space the best way to keep people safe, Diane? I don’t think so.

There are a lot of issues to address. These school board meetings often don’t have open microphone sections, meaning folks just sit there and watch the dumb-dumb board decide the fates of people they don’t even see as human. I legit went to a meeting for almost three hours, forced to just listen to the board members ask leading questions to insinuate trans people are menacing. They debated back and forth, asking questions that were so baseless and didn’t ask for feedback from the very frustrated crowd. People are scared to go on record saying they want to strip away trans rights, but they’ll vote them away with a grin. It’s actually sick.

Sometimes these events have a microphone and an open comment section. From lie-filled stories about keeping children safe and lackluster mental gymnastics to justify the forced outing of children, the opposition loves to speak up and out. On the good side, parents and others (like me!) were able to go up and speak our minds too. I spoke up at two board meetings and basically just called them all transphobic bigots. Educating the suburban housewives who navigate their TVs between Fox News and yelling at their kids for not being straight enough.

I love my town Freehold and I went here for K-12. Bruce Springsteen is from here, the area was great to grow up in. But now I recognize the bigots in our town, the power they’re desperate to hold, and the lengths they’ll go to appease loud transphobes at the expense of innocent trans children. I would never raise a family here because a majority of the local school board doesn’t value trans people.

No Support From Schools

With this policy repealed, trans students are even more at risk of depression, anxiety, suicide, or other consequences from forced outings. Be supportive of young queer folks, lend your ear when they ask for help, and be the gay guide you wish you had. Unfortunately, the schools are not a safe place for the LGBTQIA+ community, and that’s because members of many local school boards are transphobic cowards. Remember to vote if you can and go to these meetings to advocate for queer youth! And if you’re interested in getting involved, follow @saygaynj. And if you’re a queer person feeling unsupported, consider using sources like The Trevor Project to receive the education Freehold is failing to provide you.

It’s so important to note that basically every school that voted to repeal this policy was immediately sued by the State Attorney General. Not only is this legally discrimination and emotionally taxing, but it’ll cost our district money. Lawsuits like this cost lawyers, time, and are just going to drag trans kids down with it. In their actions, Republicans are saying that the number one thing schools need is to make trans students uncomfortable. Nothing about safety from the uptick in school shootings, or falling test scores from COVID. Just funneling millions of dollars to convince local school boards to turn their backs on trans kids. And congratulations Freehold - you fell for it.

I don’t blame the teachers. I blame the board of education who championed this vote to take away the rights of a non-threatening group of children.

Still not sure who voted to repeal yet, but some of these people are bad! Michelle Lambert, Michael Amoroso, Renata Brand, Mary Cozzolino, Neil Garguilo, Elena O'Sullivan, Meg Thomann, Kerry Vendittoli - we will not forget!

It’s time to expand your mind beyond this galaxy - that’s right we’ve got gays in space! In peril! Imagine being stranded on an alien planet that’s equally beautiful and terrifying. Danger lurks around every corner, the journey to safety is marked by the bruises you bear, and survival is priority #1. That’s the INTENSE vibe given in the epic (formerly HBO Max) Max show Scavengers Reign.

Created by Joseph Bennett and Charles Huettner, adapted from their 8-minute short from 2016, this 12-episode saga is brimming with incredible animation from artists with magical imaginations. This show checks off so much and I won’t stop recommending it until I can talk freely about the gray gross alien with someone (you’ll have a lot to say too when you watch).

Crash landing from escape pods onto an untamed planet called Vesta, Scavengers Reign follows three perspectives/groups navigating their way to their downed freighter ship (The Demeter). These characters learn to adapt to the planet’s wicked wildlife, understanding more about their new environment as much as they learn about themselves.

Varying ages, skin colors, personalities, and motivations help bring the characters from this awesome show to feel real. And the stakes couldn’t be higher, you really feel fully immersed in their cosmic misadventures. Every close encounter, even death (episode 9 had someone twisted to death by a giant venus-flytrap monster), every barely-won fight- the show keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Leave it to Levi and Azi

One of the main heroes in this story is Azi Narene. She crash-landed without any humans and is a self-diagnosed loner - but she’s not alone. A ‘LEVI’ unit makes its way toward the monster-covered planet with her and begins its dutiful work as a mindless robot. It begins following directions like any standard robot in a sci-fi show, but then something super unexpected happens.

LEVI the robot begins to merge with part of the planet’s mutant-like ooze, changing its mainframe into one that has emotion. One that shudders from physical touch and can react to Azi with its own opinions. The situation could be creepy, like when LEVI tells Azi she will not tolerate being turned off again because the feeling is so empty. 

Two standout performances stem from Search Party’s Alia Shawkat and Loki’s Wunmi Mosaku, giving life (literally) to LEVI and Azi, respectively. Their fun dynamic is magnified by the planet’s non-stop threats, LEVI’s growing curiosity, and Azi’s ingenuity with a stressful amount of limited supplies.

Also just want to say, that a robot gaining sentience is definitely queer-coded. Finding life beyond your society’s standards, carving your own path, and becoming something more (like a chill caterpillar into a hot butterfly) is a quintessential queer experience. I count LEVI as queer, why not?

All Eyes on Azi

One character that’s explicitly queer is Azi. Behind her rough exterior (can you blame her? She’s trying to survive on a planet with a back-talking sentient Robot), Azi shows extreme perseverance. She stays calm, compassionate, and cool- three essential C’s that I admire in a true icon. That’s what we want to see in a queer character. Her old flame is on the main ship that has landed, waiting to be unfrozen from her cryosleep. When the journey home gets dicey, involving some bounty hunters with no intention of rescuing Azi’s girl or the others asleep on the ship, Azi truly blossoms.

LEVI had slowly been breaking down Azi’s walls, bringing out a compassionate side which totally contrasts the tough energy she had since landing. It’s when her girl’s life is in danger that she revs things up to 6th gear (I recently learned stick shift!). The motivation to save her loved one is great and made more refreshing in a wild battle that culminates with most of the cryo-pods being damaged beyond repair. Is her maybe-girlfriend safe, or did she race all this way just to lose her by a second?

No Spoilers! Go Watch!

Negating spoilers (text me if you really want to know!) Azi's mission to get to the fallen ship wasn’t her only journey. It wasn’t some Love, Simon BS either. What I'm saying is, Azi personifies bravery, commitment to friends, and resilience. I think she’s an incredible character to admire and the LGBTQIA+ community is lucky to have a scavenger like her!

Check out Scavengers Reign on Netflix (it's a Max original but as of 6/2/24 it's also on Netflix) and use the hashtag #ScavengersReign to see some wild artwork from the show. It is stunning, throw it on mute while you work if you can. My friend called it “space ASMR meets lo-fi energy plus Pixar’s Strange World.” And if you’re not Gen Z and don’t understand that youthful explanation, just think Alien meets Avatar.

Finally, we live in a gross time where executives can pull the plug on any media with just their opinion. So if you love the show like I do, and want to support the animation industry, sound off online about why you’re so into the series!

Before salacious celebrities were celebrated and crop tops on pop-stars were as expected as an underwhelming Justin Timberlake feature, there existed a time of pure debauchery in music. Iconic raunchy bops like Don’t Trust Me propelled 30H3!’s star into orbit, proving to the world that party anthems were what the early 2010s needed. Icona Pop and Tove Lo rocked our minds, expanding the pop genre. We got hits from LMFAO (remember Red Fu and Sky Blue? Did you know they’re uncle and nephew?) and other standouts- but perhaps nobody shined brighter on their punk princess throne than Kesha. And she’s still glowing!

Her limitless commitment to self-expression, iconic cameo on Victorious that everyone my age (with TASTE) knows, and ability to not-give-a-flying-fuck while simultaneously singing some of the most heart-wrecking lyrics ever make Kesha my favorite forever.

Kesha's Love Is My Drug

There’s a meme I saw a few months ago that said something like “every closeted gay person grows up having an unhealthy, spiritual connection to a woman in pop music” and I think that’s more true than 2 + 2 = 4. Nellie Furtado, Marina and the Diamonds, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga- gays just love to cling to an empathetic musician. That's why the gays of the past were obsessed with Judy Garland and the Trolley song. It's our culture! Stanning before stan culture was even a thing, we’d meet and mingle with other fans on sites like Tumblr and other lost mediums. Their concerts became a safe space, even saying you’re a fan of a pop girly was a modern day ‘Friends of Dorothy’ situation. So many of these stars invited us to celebrate our authentic selves with them. We’re living in a queer pop revolution and I’m so here for it.

Kesha’s party-ready beats reflect her layered sense of self, represented through devastatingly clever lyricism. Like how Hans Christian Anderson allegedly penned the Little Mermaid about his inability to find true queer love, Kesha and these gay-adjacent singers give the LGBTQIA+ community an outlet to express what’s forever been repressed. We relate to Kesha’s party antics because even if we’ve never been to a “Party At A Rich Dude’s House”, we’ve surely felt the isolation that feeling alone at a party can bring. Different situations, sure, but we’ve walked several miles in similar shoes to her. Shoutout to trauma bonding! Kesha is more than just a rambunctious celebrity gays can get behind- she’s a warrior worth rooting for.

She’s always flown pride flags at her shows. I’ve seen Kesha in concert three times, and each was a gay experience full of joy and confident chaos. She’s an expert at connecting with her wacky audience and I hope you know she’s much more than just her top hits. So many buried gems in her music catalog have been on my mind for years. I feel it’s unfair to keep my favorites secret anymore. I’ll list my favorites below!

Kesha Catches Fire

From phenomenally poetic words about pain and pride, to catchy hooks about losing someone who probably never deserved you in the first place, topics of true love and real hate are paramount themes in Kesha’s songs. Kesha’s been through a lot and her openness in sharing this tumultuous journey makes her all the more authentic.

If you didn’t already know, Kesha has five full albums. I once wrote about how each represents a stage of grief. Each album is radically different, reflecting Kesha’s emotional state at the time (largely impacted by a complex lawsuit against an alleged abuser). After coming onto the scene with TikTok, Kesha continues her career releasing the following albums: Animal (2010), Warrior (2012), Rainbow (2017), High Road (2020), and finally Gag Order (2023). As she’s evolved as a person, so has her music. While different, the albums have a clear through-line: Kesha is unbeatable. 

I’m seeing her on November 3rd 2023 in New York with my friend Gaby. Best expect a glitter-filled performance that we’ll never forget. Kesha has always been the light at the end of my tunnel and I know she’ll be around making unmatched music for years to come. She’s dedicated, recovering, and a reminder that we can persevere our worst demons. The world is lucky to have a rainbow phoenix rising from the ashes like queen Kesha.

My Favorite and Gayest Kesha Songs (in chronological order of their release)

The Harold Song (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

A song about a boy you love is pretty spot-on gay. But this is so different from other power ballads, as Kesha sings about losing one of her first loves to a tragic accident. Pouring honesty from her emotional wounds, The Harold Song is a reminder to appreciate who you have before it’s gone.

Standout lyric:

They say that true love hurts

Well this could almost kill me

Young love murdered

That is what this must be

I would give it all to not be sleeping alone

Animal (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

Gaga has her Little Monsters, Beyonce has the Beyhive, and Kesha has her Animals. Named after her first album, this breakout song has a message of self-acceptance, an ethereal melody, and Kesha forging her way forward as an animal in the industry. So proud of her going primal. The opening lyric sets the stage for Kesha’s entire philosophy.

Standout Lyrics:

I am in love with what we are

Not what we should be

Party At A Rich Dude’s House (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

Could he be a sugar daddy? Or just a hot rich mutual friend who is throwing an unforgettable rager? Kesha weaves storytelling and fun lyrics into this smash song, making you want to party with her in a rich dude’s mansion. We’d dance the night away and she’d totally help me steal something expensive. Her queen card has been active since Tik Tok in 2009.

Standout Lyrics:

No, we're not on the list (C'mon, let's do it)

No, we don't give a shit (C'mon, let's do it)

Dance 'til your pants come off (C'mon, get naked)

Party 'til the break of dawn (C'mon, let's do it now)

Dancing With Tears in My Eyes (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

Tragedy is often present in gay love lives, largely because heteronormative societal expectations end up encroaching on our already hard-lived realities. Have you ever watched someone dancing with a girl instead of you, on the dance floor? Middle school dance trauma is calling- will you answer? Kesha starts from a place of sorrow and misdirected rage- pretty queer.

Standout Lyrics:

Here we go, welcome to my funeral

Without you, I don't even have a pulse

All alone, it's dark and cold

With every move, I die

Stephen (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

Not sure how or why this song didn’t get mainstream, it’s amazing. Desperate waiting for a guy to text back is so real, and stealing him from his girlfriend? Icon behavior. Just text her back, Stephen! In truth, the song is about how she was able to get anyone EXCEPT Stephen- turns out he actually called her in 2010 after the song came out!

Standout Lyrics:

Stephen (Stephen)

Why won't you call me? (Call me)

I'm sitting here waitin' (Waitin')

Why won't you call me?

Stephen (Stephen)

I'm feelin' pathetic (Feelin')

I can't take rejection (Stephen)

Why won't you call me?

Your Love Is My Drug (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

So often we can’t help falling for people we probably shouldn’t. Circumstance overwhelms rationale and we pine for pleasure. Treating love like the drug that it truly is proves Kesha’s metaphorical prowess. She also leads us to agree that even though she’s aware of the slippery-slope love and other drugs can bring, the high might be worth the chase. Some gambles are worth taking.

Also for my 17th birthday my friends surprised me with a flashmob to this song! Forever grateful.

Standout Lyrics:

I don't care what people say

The rush is worth the price I pay

I get so high when you're with me

But crash and crave you when you leave

We R Who We R (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

Queer anthem comparable to Cool For the Summer by Demi Lovato. Embracing your weirdness is Kesha’s philosophy and We R Who We R encapsulates that perfectly. Life’s too short and dumb to stress about things, so just be young and dance.

Standout Lyrics:

Hot and dangerous, if you’re one of us then roll with us.

Praying (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

Describing her ongoing journey of recovery, from past trauma and a toxic manager (we do not speak his name) to finding peace, Praying is one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever heard. You may remember Kesha and a collection of amazing performers sing Praying at the Grammys following the Me Too movement. It’s amazing to sit down and read the lyrics of this song. Her emotional maturity, Kesha’s ability to sift through the noise and find her own peace, is inspiring. She truly is a rainbow phoenix, triumphantly rising from the ashes, and is a rockstar role model for abuse survivors.

Standout Lyrics:

I'm proud of who I am

No more monsters, I can breathe again

And you said that I was done

Well, you were wrong and now the best is yet to come

'Cause I can make it on my own, oh

And I don't need you, I found a strength I’ve never known

I’ll bring thunder, I'll bring rain, oh-oh

When I’m finished, they won't even know your name

Finding You (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

Finding your soulmate through time and space, reincarnated to seek their face. Love is eternal and Kesha captures that in Finding You. She sings about Maybe you’ll feel so strongly for another person that you could find them in the next lifetime? It doesn’t matter if you believe in rebirth or love, just that you hold onto love.  

Standout Lyrics:

I know forever don't exist

After this life, I'll find you in the next

When I say "forever, " it's the goddamn truth

I'll keep finding, finding you

Rainbow (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

If gays had a mascot it’d be the title of this song. Leprechauns too. This song is empowering and feels like it wakes up an inner spirit inside you. Take pride in yourself and look for the rainbows in the sky, because they’re there. She said to Metro News, “This song was a promise to myself, a promise that things would get better.”

Standout Lyrics:

You gotta learn to let go, put the past behind you

Trust me, I know, the ghosts will try to find you

Spaceship (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

Ever felt like a stranger on this planet? Like maybe you don’t belong here at all. And that’s okay! Kesha tells us (lol I sound like she’s a prophet) that one day our spaceship will return for us, that our weirdness is not only justified, but natural. We don’t owe anybody answers for why we’re different, just know that even if our metaphorical ship doesn’t come back, at least we’re stuck on this floating rock together.

Standout Lyrics:

I knew from the start I don't belong in these parts

There's too much hate, there's too much hurt for this heart

Lord knows this planet feels like a hopeless place

Thank God I'm going back home to outer space

(She also reads this spoken word poem at the end that I need to share)

As I leave this Earth and sail into the infinite cosmic universe, the wars, the triumphs, the beauty, and the bloodshed, the ocean of human endeavor, it all grows quiet, insignificant. 

I'm nothing more than recycled stardust and borrowed energy, born from a rock spinning in the ether.

I watch my life backwards and forwards and I feel free. Nothing is real, love is everything, and I know nothing.

High Road (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

Sometimes taking the High Road is hard. The incline is gross and there’s too much baggage. But Kesha convinces and motivates us to flip off the haters and thrive despite their bad vibes. As she preaches, it’s not worth stooping to another’s low level.

Standout Lyrics:

I'm taking the high road

I'm high as fuck and these assholes won't shut up

Got me laughing, I ain't losin' no sleep

Hymn (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

At first I was nervous because Hymns make me think of Christianity and that’s not at all what my music tends to be about. But Kesha sings an anthem for those who don’t fit in, collecting us like her loyal team and declaring that we’re worthy of love.

Standout Lyrics:

This is a hymn for the hymnless, kids with no religion

Yeah, we keep on sinning, yeah, we keep on singing

Flying down the highway, backseat of the Hyundai

Pull it to the front, let it run, we don't valet

Sorry if you're starstruck, blame it on the stardust

I know that I'm perfect, even though I'm fucked up

Hymn for the hymnless, don't need no forgiveness

'Cause if there's a heaven, don't care if we get in

This is a hymn, hymn, hymn for how we live, live, live

This is a hymn, hymn, hymn for how we live, for how we live

Shadow (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

Kesha is a stronger person than me or you. To stare hate in the eye and say the below lyric takes a LOT of guts. Also, stream GUTS by Olivia Rodrigo, another super pop-punk queen. I always think of this when I see gross MAGA people, can I really look past the bigotry? Will showing love make a difference? Either way, Kesha’s song Shadow is here to be the support you need.

Standout Lyrics:

So get your shadow out of my sunshine

Out of my blue skies, out of my good times

So get your darkness out of my champagne

I'll be dancing in the rain

I'ma love you even though you hate me

I'ma love you even though you hate

Hate Me Harder (Spotify) (YouTube) (Lyrics)

Another defiant anthem to transphobes and anyone who hates ‘others.’ Kesha welcomes the hate, finding strength in their dismissal. It’s something queer people could find empowerment through, I know I’d be better off embracing the anger from scared heteros. I’ve been going to school board meetings and hearing how some NJ adults speak about queer people, like we’re diseased…. Not sure if I can handle that much hate. But knowing Kesha can give me the power to push through the bigotry.

Standout Lyrics:

So if hatin' me helps you love yourself

Do your worst, baby, give me hell

Hate me harder

Hate me harder

There's nothin' left that I haven't heard

And I can take it, so make it hurt

Hate me harder

Hate me harder

One of the gayest shows on TV is lurking just beyond the light of your viewing queue, but they’re ready to come out of the closet (or coffin) and entertain you. The iconic vampire mockumentary set in Staten Island, What We Do In The Shadows, is an ode to vampiric lore, chaotic chosen families, and has several queer elements that deserve a lot of praise. 

The eclectic group of housemates, Nandor the Relentless, Laszlo Cravensworth, Nadja of Antipaxos, Colin Robinson, and Guillermo de la Cruz (the lone human) are a chosen family unlike any other on television. They bicker and bite, often literally because 4/5 of them are vampires, but overall their non-beating hearts are usually in the right place. They are a group of oddballs who found each other in a world that’s stacked against them. Whether you’re a typical blood-sucking vampire forced to hide at night in the shadows, or you relate to the vampire’s gay human familiar Guillermo (a noble and kind-eyed assistant), there is something to love in every moment of this show. 

Gay Vampires Galore

We learn early on in the series that sex is a major pastime for vampire-kind. The supernatural roomies brag about their countless blood orgies and hold no shame in their expressions of self. All stay true to themselves, saying ‘fuck you’ to the spectrums of gender, sexuality, and defy societal norms. Ultimately the fact that they’re technically poly is an afterthought. It isn’t set up to be romantic either, or a cheap plotline with a stale love triangle, instead opting to just focus on an eternal truth: living forever means you’re gonna wanna fuck your roommates.

There’s a great episode where their clueless Staten Island neighbor Sean runs for City Comptroller, hoping to throw a pride parade to drum up some excitement for the campaign. It’s painfully funny watching the vampires dance in pride apparel at the end of the episode, joining the night-time parade for equality. One of my favorite parts of the show is seeing the near-ancient vampires interact with the 21st century surrounding them. The vampires embrace the parade and jump at neighbor Sean’s request to build a float, with Laszlo promising to deliver the gayest float ever because he claims to be “the king of the bottoms, I love bottoms!”. 

Guillermo and Nandor the Relentless

Guillermo is the loyal familiar to the vampires of the house, having joined the crew as an unpaid (and underappreciated) addition for over ten years. Promised he’ll one day be made into a vampire, Guillermo keeps his composure through the chaos the vampires cause around Staten Island. From having him bury bodies to calling him ‘Gizmo’ like the Gremlin, Guillermo gets little respect from the other housemates. It’s only his master Nandor whom he has a strong bond, helping set his coffin closed every night and answering all of his queries about the modern human world. More than a familiar/assistant, Nandor and Guillermo grow to rely on each other, appreciate their time together, and slowly inch closer to a potential hookup? Maybe not, but fans are clamoring to see ‘Gandor’ become cannon. They’ve denied jealousy when the other dates, but Nandor has actively sabotaged Guillermo’s love life. It’s less Munchausen by proxy and more She-Go and Dr. Dracon from Kim Possible. Guillermo is the protector with brains, and Nandor is the dummy leading the way. I hope they end up together, as both have spent the series learning to appreciate themselves and one another. 

Guillermo comes out in two ways in the series, as gay and then as a changing vampire. The similarities are really striking, you have to excommunicate from your overly religious family, it changes the way people perceive you, and it’s finally finding that previously unknown community you want to belong in. It’s a transformation, a metamorphosis, and maybe a tiny bit of emotional confusion. We see Guillermo struggle with his decision to turn into a vampire, only made more difficult after his family accepts him for being gay. Despite their acceptance, Guillermo still finds his heart lies with becoming a vampire, despite his Van Helsing ancestry (a famous vampire hunter). Turns out fighting vamps is in Guillermo's DNA, bringing a hilarious duality for the character to struggle with. Fighting off familial expectations to follow your authentic path is so gay-coded and Guillermo’s battle with accepting himself is one of relatability and queerness. 

Guillermo’s Greatest Wish

It’s Guillermo’s greatest wish to become a vampire, and he’s been patiently waiting for Nandor to turn him. After years of waiting, Guillermo ends up going to a schmucky vampire and gets turned without his master, Nandor, knowing. This betrayal, when finally revealed after a buildup of secret-keeping that lasts a whole season, culminates in the two having an honest conversation about expectations vs. the reality of transforming. Becoming ‘other’ isn’t a new concept to Guillermo, whose actor has frequently observed that Hollywood is no kind place to “queer, Latino, and big-bodied people” like himself. What destroys Guillermo’s passion to become a vampire is Nandor finally admitting that he knew Guillermo would hate eternity and was lowkey trying to protect him from a lifetime of loneliness. 

This honest talk marks a healthy turn for their tumultuous relationship. Nandor admits an endless life feels longer without good company. Even though Nandor’s heart hurts that Guillermo sought another vamp to transform (it’s a cheating allegory, right?) he learns to accept that Guillermo only left because he wasn’t feeling loved. Nandor rights this wrong by giving Guillermo a choice to return to humanity, which he accepts.

Watch What We Do in the Shadows

Overall, this show blends macabre humor, awkwardly hilarious moments, and authentically bizarre characters into a loveable watch. Whether Nandor and Guillermo end up together, or Guillermo finds another boyfriend, know that we’ll be watching for more gay moments. 

It’s always exciting to see what these characters will say to each other and the lengths they’ll go to do whatever the fuck they want, as long as the sun is down. Their near-unspoken romantic strange chosen family dynamic are key reasons to watch the show. The show, filmed Mockumentary-style like The Office, has been on FX/Hulu for 5 seasons with another one on the way, set to resume after the writer’s and actor’s strike. Hopefully the production companies pay them fairly!

A show about pirates with a same-sex love story at its forefront? And they’re both hot! Count me in.

Our Flag Means What?

Our Flag Means Death is a wonderful addition to your watching repertoire that I can’t recommend enough. The Max original follows Stede Bonnet, a ‘Gentleman Pirate’ who abandons his upper-class lifestyle for a new identity on the high seas in 1717. Stede’s good intentions and positive leadership style clash with his crew’s varying personalities, leading to shenanigans, mishaps, and all that sitcom jazz. But Stede proves to be a loyal friend who cares for his crew, even encouraging mental health check-ins and paying them a living wage. He’s unlike any other pirate (and more like a peppy HR rep from our century) and that’s why we love him. Rhys Darby, hilarious New Zealander (Kiwi?), brings Stede to life with the flounciest clothes and hilarious reaction faces. Stede brings class to piracy and builds a name for himself… until the crew crosses paths with the notorious Ed Blackbeard.

Ed Blackbeard (played by Taika Waititi) is like a weapon with legs. He’s only into violence and is happy to raid any ship he commandeers. But when Blackbeard’s ruthless crew boards Stede’s ship, everything changes. The prissy pirate Stede and cut-throat Blackbeard, despite all odds and crazy hurdles, find love with one another.  

The show is about how interesting and beautiful love can be, especially between total opposites. 

Historical Fiction For the Gays

Was Blackbeard gay in real life? Maybe all pirates were at least a little gay. This show kicks historical accuracy to the curb and says who the fuck cares let’s have a good time. Stede was based on a real man of the same name, who left his wife and children to start a life of preppy piracy in 1717. Stede’s inability to fit into society’s strict hetero standards pushes him too long for a life at sea, and it’s so fulfilling as a gay man to watch him finally escape his shores to freedom. While the waters prove dangerous, Stede knows that living authentically is worth the risk. 

The times of piracy were full of mystery and adventure, so putting queer people in that narrative seems fitting, right, and fun. Like we’re filling in our lost history, even if it’s fake or just for entertainment. It’s honestly really cool to imagine a world where gay pirates weren’t judged by who they loved and instead could just sail around and make mistakes like everyone else. 

We later get an episode where Stede returns to his wife and they have a heartfelt reconciliation. His ex shares how she’s now in love and how it just feels “easy”. Stede recognizes that’s how he feels about Ed and finally breathes the words aloud. “I’m in love… And his name is Ed." The end of season one confirms their relationship, but circumstances lead the two apart.

Gay Sea Life

Ed Blackbeard comes from an abusive home and is a maniac. Having gone crazy from the years he’d spent pillaging on the seas, Blackbeard had nearly lost his ability to care… but that all changes when he invades the ship of Stede Bonnet (not a euphemism! lol). Blackbeard is fascinated by Stede’s unusual leadership skills, how he’s the only pirate with a fanciful bookcase and secret wardrobe closet. After promising his hardened crew that Stede will die soon, Blackbeard reluctantly learns to love the goofball that is Stede Bonnet and the two grow closer.

Though life on a ship seems boring and super straight, basically all of the characters are fun, have developed personalities, and are on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Cut-throat and quiet Jim is played by trans actor Vico Ortiz. Another relationship blooms between Black Pete and Lucious, played by Matthew Maher and Nathan Foad respectively. Stede’s ship of oddballs is the GSA of the ocean- a safe space despite the constant cannon fire. 

Ed and Stede Forever

Everyone is surprised that floundering Stede Bonnet, who narrowly loses his crewmate's respect time and time again, gained the admiration of Blackbeard. But Stede is just being himself, a careful and considerate friend. Stede's genuine interest in Ed Blackbeard, ability to harness compassion, and unashamedly embracing his more flamboyant attributes help him to become a standout ‘Gentleman Pirate.’ Moreso, Stede’s persistence and own type of badassery impresses Blackbeard, proving to Ed that he isn’t the only exciting fellow on the seven seas. For so long Blackbeard wanted a contemporary, and now he’s finally got a challenge. 

The love story between Ed Blackbeard and the gentleman pirate Stede Bonnet is tumultuous and choppy as the seas they sail together. But it’s the misadventures the two lead together that continue to unite the two strong-willed men. True love can be tested, even ship-wrecked: but it’s never worth giving up on. 

 The cuteness of Marshall Lee and Gary Prince would be clogging out Tumblr feeds if it were 2012. But that was back when Adventure Time was airing, fan theories ran amuck, and people passionately ‘shipped’ characters. To ‘ship’ a set of characters means you are rooting for them to get together. In the Adventure Time main series, fans rejoiced in the show’s finale after the iconic Marceline the Vampire Queen and Princess Bubblegum finally went from frenemies to lovers. Their romantic relationship was hinted at in the seasons leading up to the show’s end but confirmed canon when the two kissed on-screen at the end of season ten. Their tumultuous past was explored in earlier episodes, especially in this incredible queer-coded song ‘I’m Just Your Problem.' 

There is also a musically awesome spinoff special 'Adventure Time: Distant Lands' where Marceline , really unleashing resentment toward her perfectionist GF Bonnibel Bubblegum. Through their many ups and downs, Marceline and Princess Bubblegum prove to be a wonderful couple. But what do they have to do with Marshall Lee and Gary Prince? As it turns out, Marceline and PB’s love as a couple has transcended the multiverse. Marshall Lee and Gary are just a different-dimensional version of Marceline and PB inevitably falling for one another. Finding each other in any lifetime, such couple goals. 

What's 'Fionna and Cake'?

The spinoff series following the Ice King’s return to sanity is called ‘Fiona and Cake.’ Fans of Adventure Time may recognize those names, they’re the gender-bent versions of Finn and Jake from Ice King’s fan-fiction stories. However, this new show follows Fiona and Cake living in a boring city with friends like Gary and Marshall Lee, annoying jobs, and existential dread. Cake can’t talk in her world and is just a normal cat. Fiona’s world, imagined by the Ice King and turned real by Prismo the Wish Master, is filled with human-fied versions of all our favorite AT characters, making the show nostalgic and new at the same time. When her dread coincides with the now-cured Ice King’s demonic magic, Fiona and Cake find their way to magically escape their monotony to the Adventure Time world.

While Fiona and Cake are off fighting monsters and exploring the multiverse with Simon Petrikov, the Ice King’s sane self, her two friends Marshall Lee and Gary Prince have a meet-cute in Boring World. After Fiona is transported through Simon’s head to the ‘Adventure Time’ universe (long story), her two human friends Marshall Lee and Gary meet up and search for her. 

Meet Gary Prince and Marshall Lee

Now, while Gary Prince is totally new, we’ve actually seen Marshall Lee before. In past episodes of Adventure Time that featured Fiona and Cake, the gender-swapped version of Marceline, Marshall Lee, was an awesome addition. Donald Glover voiced him and even sang to songs, including the ‘AT’ classic episode Bad Little Boy. This Marshall Lee is different, he’s human, Black, and not a vampire. A montage of Fiona’s shenanigans around the city showcases playing music with Marshall Lee on the street and them laughing over video games. 

Gary Prince is a variant of Princess Bubblegum of the original ‘Adventure Time’ series. A different universe makes the characters we know (and love) dissimilar, but their core traits are usually the same. Gary is an ambitious and bright baker who works extra hours after closing to perfect his own quirky recipes. Voiced by an emphatic Andrew Rannals, Gary Prince comes to life as an adorable worrier who loves his friends, baking, and dying his hair pink. 

The episode follows an impromptu date between Gary Prince and Marshall Lee. Gary gets worried when Fiona hasn’t answered his texts and visits her apartment- where he meets a shirtless Marshall Lee exiting Fiona’s shower. Marshall explains he’s just crashing, Fiona texts that she’s okay, and Gary chills out. When leaving for errands, Marshall Lee unexpectedly tags along and the flirting begins.

Opposites Attract 

“I think it’s cool. You’re just so passionate. It’s impressive, to me.” Marshall Lee says after Gary shows him his favorite underground candy supply store. The moment is made sweeter when Gary hands Marshall a delicious honey stick. Following that, a visit to a flea market under a light snowfall and string lights gives us a romantic and lo-fi vibe that set the internet ablaze a few weeks back. Here we see their connection play out, oh how we love to see opposites attract! At one booth, they excitedly swipe through a catalog of rock records and cookbooks, clutching tote bags, shopping locally- so gay and lovely. The two end their walk sharing lattes, black and pink reflecting their vibes, when Marshall says “So, where to next’?” This date is never ending and we’re so here for it. 

Gary sneaks them into his work’s kitchen after the boss goes home, excited to show Marshall Lee his original baking idea. Gary the baker is more than meets the eye and Marshall Lee, who is famously reluctant when it comes to helping Fiona, is infatuated by Gary’s passion. So impressed he reaches out to his toxic mom to help make an introduction for Gary’s baking career. Marshall Lee steps out to make a phone call, landing Gary a meeting with a prestigious (and familiar lemony-looking) pair of food investors. When they show up at the bakery at Marshall Lee’s Mom’s request, Gary takes the surprise in stride and shows his creations! Much like Princess Bubblegum from the original ‘Adventure Time’, Gary Prince has created a candy kingdom of his very own. Gary offers the LemonCarb investors ‘Pastrymenschen’- a huge cake surrounded by candy citizens with stories all their own, romances between the edible characters, and lore as delicious as the treats themselves. “Food with a story!” He explains excitedly and it’s honestly adorable. It was a good pitch and ‘Shark Tank’ should invest in Gary Prince. 

But the Lemoncarbs inevitably grow angry and leave unsatisfied, crushing Gary. Marshall Lee apologizes for trying to land him the deal by surprise and realizes he rushed it. Gary handles it surprisingly well and is self-assured his creation just hasn’t met the right audience yet. Marshall pledges to make things right. After the Lemoncarbs go, the two sit together overlooking Gary’s candy kingdom. Picking up a chocolate-covered strawberry, Marshall Lee asks “So where does a chocolate-dipped strawberry go to meet a cupcake” and Gary dives into a sweet story. 

What We Do For Love

In the next episode, Marshall Lee sells his soul to his devilish mother so Gary can meet baking investors. Gary catches on to his sacrifice, calls out Marshall Lee’s mom for being terrible, and the two escape the fancy party by sharing a smooch in the elevator. While the mom wasn’t exactly homophobic, it definitely is reminiscent of defying expectations placed on us by heteronormative parents and adults. Also, boyfriends standing up to their partner’s parents is always a great scene in TV and movies.

Queer people are always drawn to weird characters, the ones who may stand out for odd reasons. This is why Birdo, the obscure pink dinosaur from the Mario series, has a mini-yet-mighty army riding for her/them. We play as Birdo and Toad and even queer-coded Luigi because it gives us that extra relatability into the character’s shoes. Tons of queer game players faced this growing up, whether forced to hardline define their gender by choosing the BOY or GIRL character. Now we live with shows that don’t harp on labeling gender or sexuality, like ‘Adventure Time’ and ‘Fiona and Cake.’ A mystical mix of strange and goofy, ‘Fiona and Cake’ is released weekly on (HBO) Max starting August 31, 2023. Season 1 concluded September 28th and we aren’t sure if there will be a season 2!

Monsieur Mallah and the Brain were a very welcomed addition to my weekly viewings of My Adventures with Superman, now streaming on (formerly HBO) Max. Monsieur Mallah and the Brain (voiced by André Sogliuzzo and Jesse Inocalla, respectively) are a m/m couple that’s both weird and wonderful. Given a major upgrade from their comic counterparts, the two scientists now have more nuance, personality, and the potential to make a greater impact in the media as queer icons. 

My Adventures with Superman follows titular Clark Kent in a way we haven’t ever really seen him: adorkable. They also made him incredibly buff and, dare I say, beautiful. Like, look at this hot man!

Superman is Hot and Smart

Along with sporting his signature blue and red spandex, Superman also wears his huge heart on his sleeve. He is considerate to everyone and just an overall gem. An internship at the Daily Planet newspaper leads Clark and his best friend Jimmy to meet fellow aspiring journalist, Lois Lane. The trio finds their groove while investigating stolen alien tech, all while Clark secretly keeps transforming into Superman whenever he’s needed as the Man Of Steel. With dangerous weapons falling into the wrong hands, Clark must learn to trust his friends, embrace his wild powers, and fight for a future he believes in.

Monsieur Mallah and the Brain appear in Episode 6 of M.A.W.S. and are introduced as territorial, threatening, and very much GAY! The two bicker over whether they should harm Jimmy, whom they catch trespassing in their hidden lab. When Jimmy laments about his frustrations with Clark and Lois missing his special trip, the two ‘monsters’ reveal their relatable humanity. It’s then that Jimmy’s captors become his emotional counselors who spare Jimmy’s life and become his friend. Monsieur Mallah and the Brain change course, from isolationists to loyal pals who genuinely bond over their bad blood with humanity. 

Two Scientists, One Love

In a great backstory, the two scientists came from the same secret lab, Project Cadmus. Monsieur Mallah was a gorilla injected with a serum to give him genius intellect and the Brain was a human scientist. They used their big brains to help the world but were attacked for their tech. When their science was seized for evil, the two faked their deaths by exploding an experimental black hole and scaring their enemies off. This caused the Brain to lose his body, as he now operates in a metal robotic suit with a human brain inside. Monsieur Mallah doesn’t love him any less because of it, saying “I regret nothing because it left me with the one person I love most in the whole universe.” Monsieur Mallah, the ‘glass-half-full’ one in the relationship, is optimistic that they can one day find a society to accept them. His partner isn’t so sure.

The Brain is a bitchy Germanic floating robot with one eye and a very expressive unibrow. The two argue over simple things, eavesdrop for tea, and bring an energy of realness to characters that aren’t even human. We gain empathy for the duo because they’ve hidden away from a society that would reject them, something many queer folks don’t need to try hard to envision. Monsieur Mallah and the Brain truly believe that humanity will only see them, and their love, as monstrous.

Monsieur Mallah is funny as he is French, and he gives the Candle from Beauty and the Beast a run for his money. Through moments of stress, like when their home is under threat, the two act like any power couple and put aside their differences for the sake of protecting what they’ve built. Shared isolation gave Monsieur Mallah and the Brain time to start a family of random mutants because they hilariously got bored “about a year in and wanted” a family. After protecting Monsieur Mallah and the Brain from a robot invasion at Cadmus, the aforementioned black hole becomes a gateway to an unknown universe. 

Why Stay on Earth?

After the day is saved, Monsieur Mallah and the Brain say au revoir and tschüss respectively, to Lois, Jimmy, and Clark/Superman. The Brain, always a straight shooter and pragmatic thinker, senses Superman’s inner struggle to balance his alter-ego. Brain tells Clark he sympathizes with his “strangeness” and that they’re similar because society would still reject them both. In an act of unexpected kindness, the Brain offers Superman a home in that new world the black hole opened. While we never see what’s inside the portal, we assume it’s a new and safe place for queer non-humans to exist without society’s wrath. The Brain offers Superman to join them and to wait until people are ready to accept them, inviting him to travel to the new universe. Superman thanks them for the offer, but stands confident in staying to “make the world better for all of us”. A true ally, not many cis straight white guys give a shit about anyone but themselves so it was great to see a selfless one! After their farewell, the episode ends with Monsieur Mallah and the Brain entering that new universe through the stabilized black hole, searching for a new place to call home.

Gay folks have always felt the unfair target that's been set on them, and that grows into stress, resentment, repression, and more. Monsieur Mallah and the Brain represent the quiet strength you can find in isolation, finding power in knowing that people who won’t accept you don’t even deserve you. While their plight against humanity is less about homophobia and more that they’re literally a giant French gorilla and snarky German robot dating whilst gay, the point remains the same.

Superman is Super, Man

Usually, it’s easy to dub the world as bigoted and worth staying away from. Countless years of disappointment and homophobic experiences have begrudgingly hardened many of us away from finding the joy that is authentic and out there. This is frustrating and maybe not even true, but: the only way we can change the world is by impacting it ourselves. Clark/Superman is patient and is willing to keep fighting for a world that accepts anyone considered ‘different.’ I think that’s a refreshing take on combating ignorance and I can appreciate Clark’s confidence in his own empathy to lead the world to a brighter future. I’m impressed with the show’s characters, stories, and writing of authentically weird, queer characters. There are no MCU-grade quips and the Brain and Gorilla’s hardships are a large focus point of the episode.

This iteration of Superman, voiced by the awesome Jack Quaid, openly loves his friends and finds it hard to keep his super secret from them. The reason he didn’t tell his friends his secret identity is very reminiscent of queer people’s coming out journey. Clark admits he didn’t want to tell his friends so they wouldn’t see him differently. Jimmy, his supportive best friend, roommate, and photographer for the paper, explains “We don’t care what you are, we're friends because of who you are!” And if that’s not the exact correct response to someone’s coming out… you’re delulu.

Also, shoutout to the animators and writers for making Lois, Clark, Jimmy, Monsieur Mallah, and the Brain so flushed out. I’m invested in these characters not just because Superman looks like THIS…

But because the struggle of balancing your identity is universal, something the team at My Adventures With Superman greatly understands.

Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous is a heart-pounding series that will instill a very real fear (and some good trivia knowledge) of killer dinosaurs. The show’s events take place after the iconic film, Jurassic Park (and its 5 less than stellar-sequels). The multi-season animated series on Netflix follows a group of teens- a dino expert, a rich kid, a cool influencer (voiced by Jenna Ortega), a lonely athlete, a risk-averse nerd, and a country farm girl- as they’re abandoned on the infamous Isla Nublar amidst a dinosaur breakout. It’s as if The Breakfast Club got stranded on Jurassic Park, but instead of avoiding a rule-obsessed vice principal, the ‘Camp Fam’ are constantly running from ruthless businessmen, bloodthirsty Velociraptors, and hybrid dinosaurs that’ll send chills down your spine.

As the show progresses and the stakes continue to rise, from battling angry T-Rexes to stopping evil dino-poachers from killing for sport, the characters feel grounded in the awesome friendships cemented by each near-death experience. All six kids arrive on the island with extremely different backgrounds and personalities. Each member of the Camp Fam has their own arcs and motivations that create engaging adventures over the course of 49 action-packed episodes. Whether the group is trying to stop biogenetically engineered prehistoric predators, or Boston Dynamic-looking robots set to destroy anyone in their path, love is always the group’s unwavering connector. Their camaraderie and friendship, especially in the face of extreme peril, turn out to be their greatest means of survival.

The characters take their time to grow and evolve, giving the audience great payoffs and exciting moments- the pacing is excellent. After narrowly surviving an ambush from a flock of pteranodons, scaredy-cat Ben, ends up becoming a destruction-loving survivalist who befriends a Ankylosaurus a la Genndy Tartokovsky’s Primal. Ben and Bumpy’s connection helps the audience grow to care about the dinosaurs, who prove to be majestic in addition to just monstrous. We see bonds form not just between good dinosaurs and the stranded teens, but also chip away at the interpersonal relationships between the six survivors. One of those relationships, explored throughout the show but primarily in the fifth season, is between Sammy and Yaz.

The Story of Sammy and Yaz

Sammy is upbeat, positive, and always works hard to cheer on her friends. But goodhearted Sammy arrives on the island with a secret: Her family’s cattle farm that’s been supplying beef to Jurassic Park/World for decades has hit tough financial times, causing a rival company to hire Sammy as their spy. The first season explores Sammy balancing the guilt of her covert mission, her need to save her family’s legacy, and how that morally conflicts with betraying the inhabitants of Isla Nublar she’s grown to love. After her small bout with espionage is discovered by the group, Sammy accepts responsibility, learns from the experience, and faces further challenges with a renewed sense of strength. Although she’s a jokester who tries to find comic relief in their chaos, Sammy evolves into a loyal fighter the team relies on.

Yaz, the aforementioned lonely athlete, arrives at Camp Cretaceous closed-off and hiding behind her sketchbook. It’s only after the island’s dinosaurs break free that Yaz finds her own liberation. As an Olympic hopeful training multiple hours a day, Yaz was conditioned to believe caring about others was an unwelcome distraction. Though Yaz starts the series as a lone-wolf who’d rather tackle problems solo, her journey on Isla Nublar expands her heart and mind. As she spends more time with the five other teens in Camp Cretaceous, Yaz learns that embracing her emotions is better than not feeling at all. This is largely due to her making a best friend in Sammy, who helps break down her walls of rigid shyness. While Yas is hesitant at first, the two form a bond that not even a killer Mosassarus could tear apart. And trust me - the gigantic sea monster tries!

While all the kids mix and match their mission partners based on their skill sets, it’s always a good adventure when Yaz and Sammy are paired to complete the same task. Even when they’re trying to prevent microchip-mind-controlled dinosaurs from dog fighting for human amusement or hiding from gun-toting big game poachers, the two are always able to build upon their connection. Although quite different in how they approach the world, Sammy’s a wide-eyed optimist and Yaz is an unflinching pragmatist, the girls are able to learn from each other. They grow to appreciate their differences and recognize that by being themselves, they make their whole team much stronger.

Yaz’s Love for Sammy

In one of the scariest episodes of Season 3, a Scorpius Rex dinosaur (genetically designed to climb trees, hunt the teens with thermal vision, and has poisonous barbs) descends on Camp Cretaceous. While quick thinking gets the creature to leave them alone (for now), Sammy is impaled with a poisonous spike from the Scorpious Rex. Immediately the group goes into panic mode, Sammy’s skin begins to turn green and she falls unconscious. It’s one of the most brutal attacks in the entire show.

Sammy is the overly friendly glue that keeps the Camp Fam together, so seeing her start to succumb to the poison was an intense tonal shift. This episode is great for a variety of reasons, one standout is how Yaz reacts to Sammy’s abrupt sickness. We see a new side of the normally dry and sarcastic Yaz that is usually hidden. Now she’s fearful of losing her best friend (and potential love) and springs into action.

Yaz throws caution to the wind and immediately sprints across the island to the research lab, hoping that an antidote can be found. There isn’t even any assurance a cure exists, but Yaz wastes no time in racing to find one. Aptly titled ‘The Long Run’, we see Yaz fight through dinosaurs, jump over a water-gushing gorge, nearly break both her ankles, and never give up in finding Sammy that cure. While the rest of Camp Cretaceous stays back to comfort Sammy in her final moments, we see Yaz’s unbelievable determination to save Sammy with the lifesaving medicine. While the romance between them isn’t quite yet explicit, fans can look back at this moment as a time when Yaz’s feelings for Sammy may lean more towards love than friendship. There’s an incredible moment near the end of the episode where Yaz is about to give up, her near-broken legs have stopped dragging her towards camp, and all she can think about are her good times with Sammy. These happy memories give her the motivation to finish the trip, delivering the life-saving medicine in the nick of time.

Yaz’s Coming Out

Season 5 Episode 6 is ‘The Leap’, which focuses on Yaz working out her feelings for Sammy and questioning herself in a way queer folks know all too well. Finally, queer audiences are FED the relationship that’s been quietly brewing since the start.

Yaz goes on a mission with Ben to help move some of the kinder baby dinosaurs across the island to a safer watering hole. During their journey, Yaz is able to vocalize some of her feelings for Sammy. She admits “I've had crushes on boys before so I know what that's like. But I think I might feel that way about Sammy.” and finds that Ben is a superb ally. He’s happy for her, calmly listens, and let’s Yaz continue thinking aloud without prying. All non-queer folks should take a hint from how Ben affirms her feelings and passes no judgment.

Yaz continues, “When I think about me with Sammy, it feels awesome. And exciting, and scary, and overwhelming, and... Did I mention "awesome"? But I don't know what it says about me. And how am I supposed to figure it out?” Both Ben and Yaz have grown to the point where they’re ready to love themselves, and even be open to loving others. Yaz questions her feelings and is clearly digging through a sea of unwarranted shame. She stresses on what her affection towards Sammy means, how it may change her identity, their group’s dynamic, and that she’s scared of being seen as different. Ben listens and supports her in a way that any good friend should, ultimately encouraging her to be honest with Sammy.

Yaz says “I'm not gonna do anything. I'm just gonna press pause on all these... feelings... till we make it off the island. Seems like the more I try to figure myself out, the more questions I have.” to which Ben replies “Or maybe answering those questions doesn't matter... for now. Maybe what matters most is how you feel. And whatever those feelings are about yourself, or Sammy, or anyone else, no matter how complicated, it's okay to let yourself feel 'em.” Yaz agrees to talk to Sammy when she’s ready. The episode ends with Sammy increasing the flow of water to the dino’s new drinking spot, the perfect spot for a cliff jump. Yaz asks Sammy if they want to jump together, and they take the leap while holding hands.

The Leap from Friends to Lovers

The following episode, Yaz finishes a cathartic run around the island that gives her the confidence to tell Sammy how she feels. Ben is extremely supportive, cheering her on and even going out of his way to distract the others so the two teens can have a special moment. But due to loose dinosaurs and interruptions all day, Yaz finally confesses her crush to Sammy while they’re trapped in an elevator… with a pointy-toothed dinosaur. After smart-thinking, good teamwork, and a narrow escape, Yas says, “The truth is, Sammy, I've... fallen for you. Like hard. Real hard.” And Sammy replies “I know! I heard you earlier. I just wanted to hear you say it again, because I've been wanting to hear you say that since I don't even know when.”

The two kiss and reveal their couple status to the rest of their Camp Fam. Everyone cheers and hugs them, offering the perfect level of support and kindness that every budding relationship deserves. The queerness of Sammy and Yaz isn’t questioned, nor is it met with a punchline to undermine their journey. The rest of their friends are as excited as they are, so much so when Sammy and Yaz realize the others are sad over Kenji’s betrayal, they agree to tone down the relationship with secret gestures throughout the day. Their cute love language of finger snaps is decoded by their heart-hurting friends, who push their own grief aside and assure the girls that their happiness should never be dulled down for anyone. It’s a great lesson to carry into the real world that none of us should tone down our same-sex love, even when met with opposition.

Freedom from Dinosaurs and Death

Yaz and Sammy are proof that love grows over time and you’re free to love openly. In facing constant threats, life’s too short to hide who you are and what you’re about. It also is great commentary for queer folks who may be afraid they’ll ‘ruin the friendship’ if they confess their feelings.

The journey of Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous ends with the kids leaving the island after nearly 7 months surviving together. Sammy Guiteriez and Yasmina Fadoula finally escape Isla Nublar and greet their families with open arms on the mainland docks. In a memorable and heartwarming scene, the girls come together and hold hands, bringing their families in for a huge group hug. Their parents embrace them without a moment of hesitation. It’s a perfectly positive coming out experience, something Sammy and Yaz definitely deserved after fighting for their love and lives.

Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous is about leaving places better off than when you found them. The ‘Nublar 6’ each made a positive impact on the island and changed each other for the better. Yas and Sammy can both attribute their personal growth to their friends, surviving the island’s hardships together, and especially to each other. We get a time jump seeing everyone’s happy ending, including ‘Yasammy’ spending the summer together on Sammy’s Texas ranch. 

Often presented as corporate cash grabs meant to appease the hetero masses, rainbow capitalism has become a huge topic of contention. Momentous announcements like “First Openly Gay Disney Character” are treated with fanfare, but the actual executions usually leave a lot to be desired. Relegated to stereotypes like ‘the sassy best friend’ or ‘quirky flamboyant neighbor’ meant to serve as a punchline. Inclusive storytelling invites everyone in, shouldn’t that be the standard for Hollywood? It’s been an incredible responsibility fallen on the shoulders of queer creators to add their own perspectives. It’s often the writers and showrunner, not the network executives, that should be applauded for the little bites of genuine representation that grace our silver screens.

We’re living in a time where great but also terrible things are happening for the LGBTQIA+ community. The wins we gain always receive pushback from a generation that refuses to acknowledge empathy. Look to central New Jersey, where towns like Marlboro, Manalapan, and Middletown have adopted anti-trans policies that hurts students. I feel like celebrating and learning more about queer culture helps take bigots' power away, and these animated queer characters are the enemy of their ridiculous beliefs. 

Gay people and cartoons were tough to combine because the medium is already hard to break into. The sad truth is, big companies like HBO and Netflix want to rebuild IPs. not shell out money and hope on a new show with queer protagonists. We see so many authentically gay shows get the ax while Ridiculousness on MTV has over 500 episodes. Rebecca Sugar, creator of Steven Universe, credits their gay wedding episode as the reason her triumphant series was cut prematurely. This set two precedents for the queer creative animation community - your stories could be told, but a price would have to be paid. Kind people losing their jobs and livelihood to share authentic stories to audiences who are desperate for education is not justice. It’s restricting access to identity and that’s bullshit. 

Truth is, there’s a billion different ways to live authentically as a member of LGBTQIA+ community and tokenizing the most stereotypical, basic moments to be palatable for hetero audiences is not an equitable solution. For every thousand straight couples in tv and movies, there’s one queer character who deserves the spotlight. Here are some of my newer (and favorite) same-sex couples in modern cartoons.

Show: Avatar: The Legend of Korra

Queer Couple: Korra and Asami

While scared straights in charge may take away resources of representation or throw tantrums in Targets over Pride merch, you can always rely on these animated characters who are out and proud. Some of these same-sex character relationships led to shows being canceled in consequence of pursuing a gay-friendy story, and we need to note that a great effort on behalf of the passionate creators, writers, storyboarders, and more shouldn’t be minimized because top brass worked to minimize their impact. That’s why The Legend of Korra had a shaky second season and unveiling of their groundbreaking same-sex couple, Korra and Asami. 

This scene personally helped me on my journey in finding the confidence to embrace my queerness. After hardships like facing air-bending terrorists, villains who poisoned her to the brink of death, and the forced ripping her spiritual half out of her body, Korra finally deserved her happy ending. The whole world was against her at times, and she reflects that even through the pain of it all, she can still find wisdom in her suffering. That’s so powerful and brave and gay! After tying things up with her ex-boyfriend, Korra is joined by Asami to look toward the future. For what seems like the first time ever, Korra, the strongest person in their universe, is finally able to relax. She suggests going on vacation with Asami, and they agree it “sounds perfect.” Though not explicitly queer as a kiss on the lips (thanks 2014 homophobic network executives), the two join hands and enter a new adventure together. Asami is loyal, cares about Korra, and the two belong together. This scene changed the way animation and gay representation can be influential, especially to lil gay me.

Korra and Asami, or Korrasami as the internet dubbed them, came to fruition in literally the final seconds of the entire series. While many folks felt cheated out of seeing their relationship grow from friends to lovers, it’s crucial to note that this aired in 2014. Rewatching, you can tell the  writer’s wanted Korra and Asami to have more time bonding and learning to trust each other (after all, they both dated the same guy!). Knowing Avatar Korra, the strongest bender in her universe, felt the same way I did helped me in my coming out journey. And I’d like to think the little moments of Korra blushing at Asami’s letter at the start of season 3, or even Korra saying “I’ve never had a girl friend before” were all just little love notes from the creators to show Korra was more than just straight, to keep nosy executives from shutting it all down). And for those of you upset that Korra and Asami didn’t get their spirit world date- don't fret! Their journey picks up in the comics by Dark Horse, and even explores their romantic relationship, friend’s reactions to the news, and we see Korrasami gayer than ever. 

Show: Steven Universe

Queer Couples: Ruby and Sapphire (Garnet), Pearl and Rose, Stevonnie, Sadie and Shep.

Steven Universe is widely praised for advancing queer culture in animated western media and proved to doubtful executives that an audience can appreciate kid-friendly queer stories. Plus, it’s an amazing adventure about a bunch of gay oddballs recovering from generational trauma- and that’s honestly super gay.

As a recipient of a Peabody, GLAAD media award, and was conceptualized by non-binary creator Rebecca Sugar, Steven Universe solidified itself as one of the gayest shows to ever grace television. A colorful cast of Crystal Gems, intergalactic warriors that all present as female/non-binary, create a slew of exciting characters, couples, and fusions (when two gems literally merge and become one being) that, although out of this world, made for a very grounded queer story. The show introduces us to Steven and his three magical aunts, Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl.

In the season 1 finale, we find out that Garnet, the leader of the Crystal Gems voiced by Estelle of American Boy, is a fusion-composed of two female-identifying aliens, Sapphire and Ruby. We learn what makes Garnet herself, the literal embodiment of queer love, and she explains she’s a permanent fusion because of how much Ruby and Sapphire love each other. She’s existed alongside us all this time- and that’s fucking awesome! This reveal helps young Steven understand Garnet even more, how she’s something “entirely new” that their Homeworld did not approve of. And the show explores how a chosen family can overcome war, betrayal, loss by being stronger together. Garnet is a strong leader, imparting her wisdom on the audience in the form of cool one-liners and badass action. Season 5 includes a groundbreaking gay wedding between Garnet’s two parts, Ruby and Sapphire. This bold choice in the face of close-minded executives was said to be the final nail in SU’s coffin, even being banned in Russia and other countries. We owe the entire Steven Universe team a thank you for risking their jobs and livelihood to tell an authentic and beautiful story. 

I’d be roasted alive (or more accurately to the show's lore, speared) if I don’t bring up Pearl and Rose. To make a very Shakespearan story short, Pearl was in love with rebel leader Rose Quartz and was conditioned to be her unquestioning servant. Rose and Pearl were sent to colonize the Earth and strip it of its resources, but instead they found its freedom inspiring and decided to fight for it. Although Pearl was promised peace after the hard fought battle was won, she found herself fumbling after Rose who fell in love with a human- Steven’s Dad. Throughout the series, Pearl reminisces of her times with Rose fondly, but grows to learn that their relationship wasn’t exactly healthy. We learn that in the past, Pearl would proudly sacrifice herself over and over again to protect Rose in battle. Her devotion to Rose is put on blast in 'Rose’s Scabbard' and 'Single Pale Rose.' I should also note Rose's Scabbard is my favorite of the 152 episodes.

Steven Universe Future, the 20-episode sequel series with a more mature tone, shows the consequences of how loving someone unconditionally can be dangerous. Our Pearl meets another Pearl who was just as devoted to Rose, but at a time when Rose was unstable and childish. By reflecting on how they were treated by Rose, and the excuses they conjured to justify Rose’s toxic actions, both Pearls receive the entire story of Rose Quartz- and finally closure. The two are able to connect and understand the person they once put above all else was a complicated being with an immense capacity for love and ignorance. 

The entire show revolves around Rose’s consequences and we get the chance to see her character arc in reverse, proving she’s more than a hero or villain. Pearl’s arc, from lovesick devout servant to independent, self-assured badass we see at the end of the series, can inspire those in unequal relationships to reclaim their power. Her rose colored glasses (pun fully intended) for Rose is beautifully exemplified in the musical episode Mr. Greg. In the iconic song “It’s Over Isn’t It”, Pearl laments and resents Rose for leaving her for Steven’s father and giving up her form to create Steven. Pearl is a complex queer icon whose only crime was falling too hard in love.

Bonus relationship: An intersex character is introduced when Steven and his friend Connie fuse together. Shown in one of the show’s progressive ads made in partnership with the Dove Self Esteem project, the show broke ground confirming Stevonnie, their fusion, was intersex. 

Show: The Ghost and Molly McGee

Queer Couple: Jeff and Geoff

The Ghost and Molly McGee follows extremely peppy Molly McGee and her grumpy ghost BFF as they embrace ‘enhappification’ and spread joy throughout their Midwestern town. The show recently aired an important episode about Molly’s biracial identity as a Thai-American, offering an honest conversation among the various mixed family members talking about their experiences. 

The titular ghost of the show, Scratch, has a best friend named Geoff. G-E-O-F-F is as goofy and silly as his name is spelled. Geoff is sweetly clueless, extremely caring (he brings Scratch homemade soup when sick), and always offers a positive perspective. Although not a mainstay in the McGee household, season 2 has been giving us more Geoff and I love it. 

The episode ‘The (After) Life of the Party’ introduces Jeff, a super buff and confident ghost who invites Scratch to a party - on the same day as Geoff’s special party. The twist at the end of the episode is that Geoff and Jeff are hosting the same event! Geoff and Jeff are “after-life” partners, celebrating their love with a huge dance. Scratch learns to appreciate Geoff, hilariously underscored by Jeff menacingly threatening to mess Scratch up if he hurts ”my sweet Geoff ever again”. 

This episode sticks the landing, as Scratch isn’t surprised or shocked to find Geoff and Jeff are together. The central conflict is Scratch promising two friends he’d attend their parties, nothing to do with Geoff’s identity (a big sigh of relief from most coming-out story lines filled with raw trauma). There’s a scene in Disney/Pixar’s Onwards where the purple cyclops cop casually mentions her wife and the other character looks visibly confused and slightly uncomfortable. Lauded and overly marketed as one of the first gay characters, this random one-eyed lady has become a meme in the LGBTQ+ community for being so unimpressive and shallow, a perfect representation of rainbow capitalism. Disney is extremely guilty of that, but not in the case of The Ghost and Molly McGee. Geoff and Jeff continue to appear together throughout the series, even kissing briefly at the end of the episode. Don’t tell Ron DeSantis, but the House of Mouse has been making progress to queer-ify the animation space on the small screen (see also The Owl House) but it’s mainstream movies could use a little less undertones and a lot more blunt gayness. 

Show: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

Queer Couple: Adora and Catra

She-Ra and The Princesses of Power has a same-sex relationship at its forefront, albeit they go through so many ups and downs that a rollercoaster would be envious. Growing up as best friends but then finding themselves on opposite sides of a war, Adora and Catra spend all five seasons fighting and ultimately falling in love. 

The two have an incredibly iconic moment in the episode ‘Princess Prom’ that would have sent 2014 Tumblr into a rabid frenzy. Catra shows up at the dance and claws gender norms apart, serving **** in a crimson tux. Mind games are played, the lovers quarrel instead of communicating, and the two dance/fight in. While the show’s overarching plot is less about external love and mostly about self-acceptance, Adora and Catra are still shaking the fandom. 

While the tumultuous journey of ‘Catadora’ isn’t exactly #relationshipgoals, friends to enemies to lovers is a profound experience that honestly feels pretty queer. They prove that love isn’t easy and you don't have to give up on a loved one who makes mistakes.

Show: Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

Queer Couple: Isaac and Antonio Goldberg-Calderon

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur follows 13-year-old super genius Lunella Lafayette, her dually adorable and menacing T-Rex partner, Devil, and their adventures protecting the Lower East Side. Their one-person PR team and best friend is Casey Goldberg-Calderon, an energetic and trustworthy member of the team. A fun twist on the ‘guy in the chair’, Casey sidesteps sidekick accusations by having a fully flushed out background, wants, needs, and goals. 

Always encouraging Lunella to embrace her uniqueness, Casey’s confidence may be attributed to the home she was raised in. A great example of a loving household with two same-sex parents, Casey Goldberg-Calderon is never afraid to boast about her dads. It’s awesome to see such positive familial representation from the view of the happy kid. It also does the unnecessary but sweet job of normalizing LGBTQ+ relationships for young folks to understand meaningfully. 

In a pivotal season 1 episode of the show, Casey is preparing for her Bat Mitzvah and her parents couldn’t be more proud of the young adult she’s become. We meet her supportive female rabbi with no shortage of Yiddish words, and get a beautifully strange song sounding straight out of Temple.

Shows like The Ghost and Molly McGee and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur are doing extraordinary work pushing genuine Jewish narratives. The audience learns a little and laughs a lot, a great change of pace from those ‘special episodes’ living in our collective cringe consciousness. As someone raised Jewish, I can’t help but smile when watching shows with writers who spend time learning about my culture, traditions, and depict them accurately on screen. It makes me want to return that feeling!

It’s likely we’ll see more of Casey’s dads, Isaac and Antonio, in the new season. And the latter is even voiced by gay and Jewish icon Andy Cohen!

Show: The Owl House

Queer Couple: Luz Noceda and Amity Blight

Luz goes on an incredible journey in The Owl House, which culminated its run after its third season in early 2023. The fandom rejoiced with the incredibly satisfying ending, although the final season was deliberately reduced episode-wise by Disney executives. Show creator and outspoken legend Dana Terrace fought for her show to have authentic same-sex character relationships, and the price may have been TOH’s cancellation. Nevertheless, she persisted! 

Luz is a loveable misfit from the human world who is magically transported to The Boiling Isles. Amity is a stubborn witch-in-training, stressed to death pleasing her ruthless mom and staying at the top of her class. The two teens clash as Luz is a human learning magic, defying Amity’s expectations and proving that Luz’s determination is stronger than Amity’s disbelief. After reconciling, the two go on to become one of the most groundbreaking couples in animation. 

The Owl House is overflowing with magic and mystery, but queer love may be the strongest power the characters wield. Eda, the grouchy mom of the group, has a dating history with a non-binary witch, Raine Whispers. Luz meets Willow, a smart and sensitive girl with two loving dads. And finally, the core romantic relationship of the show is between Luz the human and Amity the witch. Although they start off with misunderstandings and some bumps in the road, the two eventually find more in common than apart. They even love the same book series, which has somehow traversed realms like Luz. Luz’s influence on Amity liberates her, as Amity begins to stand up to her abusive mom and even questions the unfair magic council that keeps folks like Luz and Eda in their crosshairs. Amity learns to love herself and then love Luz, and I think that’s really special. 

At their version of Prom, Luz pulls a Katniss Everdeen and volunteers to take Amity’s place as Grom queen. The innocent gesture turns into Luz facing Amity’s biggest fear - which the audience finds out was Luz rejecting her Grom invitation. Gay teen panic, the feeling that your same-sex crush will reject you- yeah The Owl House was real as fuck for that. The two dance and cast a spell together, cementing the night as a step towards ‘Lumity’ becoming official. 

When an evil colonist witch-hunter learns how to kill them all via time travel and a cursed spell (long story), Luz experiences severe depression and sadness. Amity’s constant support inspires Luz to fight for the worlds they love, and The Owl House ultimately represents a safe haven for queer folks. The finale of the show reveals that the god-like Titan doesn’t prefer ‘King or Queen’ and identifies as the “best of both."

Show: Hailey’s On It

Queer Couple: Jonathan and Thad, Becker and Kennedy, (potentially) Hailey and Becker

Disney’s new animated show starring Auli’i Cravalho, Hailey’s On It, is an absolute blast. When a visitor from the future tells 14-year-old Hailey Alohilani Banks she has to complete her to-do list as the first step in saving the world, she jumps into action alongside her jokester best friend, Scott (voiced by Manny Jacinto from the Good Place). Cravalho, the incredible voice of Disney’s Moana, came out as bisexual in 2020. Here’s hoping we get some bisexual storylines, as the show largely focuses on Hailey’s relationships with the eccentric inhabitants of her sunny city, Oceanside. While the series is brand new (6 episodes have come out as of June 2023), Hailey’s On It writer Kevin Yee took to twitter to share his excitement of including two gay characters to the story. Characters Jonathan and Thad are written in the script as “the cutest couple at Oceanside High School” and perform with everyone in a Cats-inspired parody musical- Hats. I trust the writers of Hailey’s On It to deliver more of Jonathan and Thad, hopefully giving them larger roles as the series events play out. 

In the episode ‘Catching Felines’, a clever pun for catching feelings, Hailey’s bucket-list goal is to make a female friend. She turns towards her best friend Scott’s younger sister, just a grade below them, named Becker. Becker is rambunctious and loves to explode things, she’s a star in her own right. The episode ends with Becker having an epiphany- she wants to kiss Hailey Alohilani Banks. Not only does this make a possible love triangle with Hailey and the two siblings, but the bi-representation is so real. She later fights (then falls) for a girl named Kennedy who is her exact opposite. It's sweet!

Movie: Nimona

Queer Couple: Ballister Boldheart and Ambrosius Goldenloin

Nimona is a fucking rockstar. Without giving too much away from the Netflix movie, Nimona lives in a world that mirrors our own. Excluding the medieval-meets-modern technology aesthetic, Nimona takes on personal issues all too-relatable to those who have been othered by society. A purely great trans allegory, as the creator ND Stevenson is trans, he made Nimona for those who want to feel free. Transness and shapeshifting are Nimona’s true superpowers, and unfortunately the kingdom dubs what they don’t understand as monstrous. 

An incredibly unsubtle gay couple is Ballister Boldheart and Ambrocious Goldenloin, two knights from opposite worlds who fell in love despite the odds against them. When Boldheart is framed for a tragic murder, Goldenloin struggles to reconcile with the man he loves despite his loyalty to the kingdom. Their against-the-odds relationship is a complex look at connection, trust, and how far society can corrupt how we think about those we love. While the kingdom declares Boldheart as evil, we see Goldenloin panic at the task of tracking down his runaway lover. Their friendship and relationship, torn by corrupt lies and rigid rulers, is beautifully explored in Nimona. They even share a kiss, hold hands, and deliver some extremely gay moments for the girlies at home to enjoy. You can tell that the story is overflowing with queer elements and that is so refreshing after decades of toned-down gay moments.

Key Relationship Episodes:

Show: The Legend of Korra

Creators: Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko

Seasons: 4 (and comics!)

Episodes: 52

Gayest Episode(s): The Last Stand

Show: Steven Universe

Creators: Rebecca Sugar

Seasons: 5 (and a movie and sequel series)

Episodes: 160

Gayest Episode(s): Rose’s Scabbard, The Answer, Reunited 

Show: The Ghost and Molly McGee

Creators: Bill Motz and Bob Roth

Seasons: 2 (stream on Disney+ so they get a third!)

Episodes: 28 (ongoing)

Gayest Episode: 'The (After) Life of the Party'

Show: Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

Creators: Steve Loter, Jeffrey M. Howard, Kate Kondell

Seasons: 1 (2 is on the way)

Episodes: 16 (ongoing)

Gayest Episode(s): 'Goodnight, Moon Girl' and 'Today, I Am a Woman'

Show: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power 

Creators: ND Stevenson

Seasons: 5

Episodes: 52

Gayest Episode(s): 'Princess Prom' and 'Heart'

Show: The Owl House

Creators: Dana Terrace

Seasons: 3

Episodes: 43

Gayest Episode(s): 'Enchanting Grom Night' and 'Knock Knock Knockin' on Hooty's Door'

Movie: Nimona

Creators: ND Stevenson