LGBTQ representation in children's television
When Sailor Moon was released in the United States, elements of the story were removed because Optimum Productions, the Canadian company in charge of the English language product, claimed that some of the content “is not suitable for children.”[1] Early children's programming addressing LGBT-related subject matter in the United States includes two episodes of CBS Schoolbreak Special.
was confirmed to have two gay characters, in July 2016 by show creator Craig Bartlett: Eugene Horowitz and Mr. Robert Simmons.
sing-along video on its YouTube channel that features drag queen Nina West hosting a pride parade.
[22][23] In 2017, Disney Channel in the United Kingdom aired a coming out scene on The Lodge, where Josh (Joshua Sinclair-Evans) explains to another character that girls are "not his type".
[24][25] Also in 2017, Disney, the creators of Andi Mack, had the character Cyrus Goodman played by Joshua Rush come out as gay.
[29] Also, in 2021, Kevin Sullivan, a story editor for The Loud House told Insider that no one stopped him from using the word "lesbian" as part of a storyline involving Luna and Sam, her crush, and that he was proud of the whole episode.
When Sailor Moon was released in the United States, elements of the story were removed because Optimum Productions, the Canadian company in charge of the English language product, claimed that some of the content “is not suitable for children.”[1] In November 1994, Byker Grove featured the first gay kiss on UK children's television.
[31] This scene caused outrage in the British tabloids and calls for producer Matthew Robinson to be sacked,[31] but the BBC strongly backed the storyline, which received countrywide support from gay teenagers, many teachers, and parents.
[32] When Nelvana licensed Cardcaptor Sakura in North America, dubbed the series into English with Ocean Studios featuring Carly McKillip as Sakura, and released it under the name Cardcaptors,[33][34] the initial version of the dub covered all 70 episodes, although character names were changed, some Japanese text was changed to English, and subjects considered controversial at the time, such as same-sex relationships, were edited out.
[36] Apart from Reilly's statement, then-PBS chief operating officer Wayne Godwin said the episode brought up an issue that was "best left for parents and children to address together at a time and manner of their own choosing", while spokesperson Lea Sloan said it was "sensitive in today’s political climate.
"[39] In July 2016, The Loud House episode which introduced the interracial gay couple Howard and Harold McBride, was censored by a South African broadcaster, DStv[40][41] despite the fact that it was met with "overwhelmingly positive reaction.
[44][45] In October 2017, it was reported that a kiss between two female characters, Zarya Moonwolf and Kitty Boon, on the Nickelodeon show, Mysticons, was in danger of being cut.
[30] In May 2021, in response to a fan, Shadi Petosky described to Insider the challenges in producing her Danger & Eggs which follows a "young masc lesbian," D.D.
[63][64][65] In 2016, it was revealed that Hillenburg instructed those working on the show that SpongeBob should never have a romantic relationship, since he is asexual (as all real-life sea sponges are) and is too innocent for it.
[68] Four years later, One Million Moms and Family Research Council launched an email campaign against an episode of Good Luck Charlie which debuted the channel's first lesbian couple on January 26, 2014.
Concerning the creation of this category, GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis stated that it was added to "raise the bar for current and future LGBTQ inclusion in this hugely popular and impactful genre", arguing about the importance of younger individuals, that are "coming out earlier and in greater numbers, [to] see their lives and experiences reflected in thoughtful, loving, and affirming ways".
[76] Also that year, the Sesame Street episode "Family Day" won a GLAAD award for Outstanding Children's Programming.
