Kids’ animation and family movies, especially within the Disney brand, have experienced a vibrant explosion of LGBTQ representation within the past decade. While some might praise these advancements or lament the commercialism, one aspect is undeniable: queer characters are being represented everywhere, from children’s shows to big-screen blockbusters. So, get your popcorn ready and sit back as we present a countdown (in reverse) of 10 of the most iconic LGBTQ characters and moments from kids’ animation.
10. Transformers: EarthSpark
Who would have thought that Autobots and Decepticons would serve as a platform for non-binary representation? Transformers: EarthSpark has brought to life Nightshade, the first non-binary Transformer in animation, who uses they/them pronouns. Alongside Nightshade is the character of Sam, a human who uses she/they pronouns. Nightshade combines the nostalgia of childhood with the representation of non-binary identity, demonstrating that even robots can be representative of the diversity of the world we live in today. Roll out!
9. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
The reboot of She-Ra wasn’t just about epic sword fights. It was about a queer revolution. At its core is the relationship between Adora and Catra. There are a multitude of LGBTQ characters who are the protagonists. This isn’t just girl power. This is rainbow-powered girl power.
8. Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous
Dinosaurs meet romance! In the latest season, Yaz and Sammy’s friendship blossomed into love, culminating in a kiss that shook Dinoo fandom. A prehistoric adventure had suddenly become a modern love story, proving LGBTQ+ moments could pop up in the most unlikely of places.
7. The Owl House
Disney’s The Owl House is a haven for queer representation: the story centers around a queer protagonist, Luz Noceda, navigating a fantastical world full of nonbinary characters and two-dad households. One very clear message underlines the core of the show: being yourself is the ultimate kind of magic.
6. Steven Universe
Steven Universe didn’t just open doors; it smashed them. The Crystal Gems include Sapphire and Ruby, a longtime lesbian couple whose love is central to the story. Their 5,000-year romance is celebrated with both humor and heart in a way that normalizes LGBTQ relationships for an entire generation.
5. Lightyear (Alisha Hawthorne)
Pixar’s Lightyear made history with its same-gender kiss between Alisha Hawthorne and her wife, Kiki. It’s not just a scene but an integral part of the storyline that motivates Buzz to become the hero he was destined to be. The kiss was even the reason for bans in some countries, proving a point of representation.
4. Strange World (Ethan Clade)
Ethan Clade might be Disney’s most straightforwardly gay character yet. In Strange World, his romance with another teen is casually and naturally rendered, making the whole affair a refreshing milestone in queer representation if the movie didn’t light up the box office.
3. Phastos (Eternals)
Marvel brought in Phastos, an openly gay superhero with a loving husband and son, in Eternals. His onscreen kiss with his husband marked a major moment for LGBTQ visibility in superhero films. Representation comes in many forms, even for someone who literally invented the atomic bomb.
2. Lefou (Beauty and the Beast, 2017)
In the live-action Beauty and the Beast, LeFou became Disney’s first openly gay character in a live-action remake. His crush on Gaston is hinted at throughout, and the finale features a brief same-gender dance, small but historic.
1. Larma D’Acy and Wrobie Tyce (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker)
The first live-action Star Wars same-gender kiss comes between two minor characters, Larma D’Acy and Wrobie Tyce. The moment is a brief but monumental one that sparked memes and headlines alike. Even in a galaxy far, far away, queer representation has arrived.
From robots to rebels, princesses to superheroes, LGBTQ representation in kids’ media is no longer just an Easter egg; it’s part of the story. Whether you celebrate it, critique it, or just want better storytelling, these characters are here to stay.