LGBT representation in The Simpsons

[3] Producers of the show, such as Matt Groening and Al Jean, have expressed their opinion that LGBT representation in media is important, and that they seek to actively include it.

[8] Patty Bouvier was revealed to be lesbian in the season 16 episode "There's Something About Marrying", which follows Homer Simpson as he is ordained to perform same-sex marriages.

[13] Waylon Smithers was widely alluded to as gay in the early years of the show, and he was regularly depicted as being attracted to his boss, Mr.

Producer Al Jean described Smithers' sexual orientation for much of the show as "Burns-osexual", explaining that his devotion to Burns outweighs attraction to any particular gender.

It is implied more heavily in the season 6 episode "Sideshow Bob Roberts" when Smithers describes conservatism as incompatible with his "choice of lifestyle".

The son of writer Rob LaZebnik was heavily involved in writing Smithers' romantic storyline, drawing from his own experiences as a gay man.