“It’s treating you as if you don’t exist.” “It’s basically what happens when you don’t show a specific group in the media,” she said. Ng describes this effect as “symbolic annihilation,” a term coined by communication studies academics George Gerbner and Larry Gross in 1976. Marceline, left, and Princess Bubblegum embrace in “Adventure Time.' (Cartoon Network Studios, Inc.)īut lacking representation can also be harmful for marginalized groups. “If enough shows do it and nothing terrible happens, there’s a precedent. Ng says that this hesitation could be over the misconception that queer stories lack marketability, but that it’s necessary to allow shows like LOK to prove that they can be marketed to the mainstream. “We approached the network, and while they were supportive, there was a limit to how far we could go with it,” he said. In his post confirming Korra and Asami’s relationship, LOK co-creator Bryan Konietzko also confirmed suspicions that parent network Nickelodeon prevented something more overt. One obstacle to representation is companies and executives who hesitate to showcase queer main characters. “I was surprised,' he said, 'But it definitely helped contextualize the lived experience of coming out and how it never looks the same.” Queer characters are still drastically underrepresented, despite robust fandoms This depiction is a nuance that Underwood said is important for bisexual representation.

Some fans originally thought Korra and Asami in earlier seasons were straight - partially because queer representation on kids TV is rare to see, but also because both characters had male love interests until their relationship slowly changed in the last season. … I felt like I could finally exhale after holding my breath for so long.”Ĭatra, left, and Adora grew from friends to enemies and finally to romantic partners over the course of “She-ra.' (Netflix) “It meant so much to me as a person who was coming to terms with being bisexual. “I remember crying after watching because when Korra and Asami held hands, I just knew their relationship was not entirely platonic,” she said, adding that she was still closeted when watching. Olivia R., who preferred not to give her full name, runs a Twitter account dedicated to Korra and Asami, She recalls the series finale by the exact date of its airing: Dec. “So it’s not just, ‘I want to see myself.’ It’s, ‘Wait, am I queer too?’” “For queer young people, they’re often still coming out to themselves,' Ng said. Eve Ng, an associate professor of media arts and studies at Ohio University, notes that representation can normalize queerness for everyone, regardless of sexuality, but that it is especially important for validating and helping younger audiences who are still in the process of self-discovery. Queer representation in animated shows can be particularly impactful for young people. Ruby and Sapphire of “Steven Universe” get married.

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