SLOGAN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Children,
READ WITH LOVE
There’s Not Enough LGBTQIA+ Representation in
Children’s Entertainment Media
by Stephanie Santiful
Can you name five Disney princesses and the
princes they lived happily ever after with?
What about a Disney princess who gets a
happily ever after with another princess? It’s
not only difficult to name a Disney princess
that gets the girl instead of the guy, it’s
impossible.
With Disney rolling out mesmerizing
characters for decades, it makes us wonder
why there has never been a single lesbian or
bisexual princess, let alone a transgender
one. Some Disney characters, Elsa from the
popular hit movie Frozen, Merida from the
movie Brave, and Moana do not end up with
a man or boy they fall madly in love with. Or
anyone else for that matter.
While it is great to show children (and teens)
that they do not have to end up in a
relationship. Why not take it a step further?
Why not show them that that LGBTQIA+
people exist by revealing exciting and well-
rounded characters as members of the
LGBTQIA+ community?
Book publishing and libraries are working
hard to do their part to supply the
community with more books for children and
teen that feature LGBTQIA+ characters.
Unfortunately, there is a limit to what we can
do when it comes to television and movies.
Did you know that the recently released,
Love, Simon movie is one of the first (if not
the first) mainstream teen movie to feature a
main character who identifies as gay? There
have been movies and/or shows which have
appeared on Netflix about LGBTQIA+ teens,
but if one does not have access to Netflix,
they are unable to see these films and/or
shows.
While there have been few cartoons, such as
Steven Universe, Clarence, and Adventure
Time, for example, that have featured
LGBTQIA+ characters, the main characters
are often revealed as members of the
LGBTQIA+ community on the last episode as
the series is ending. Otherwise, the
LGBTQIA+ character is a supporting
character.
Regardless of how they identify, children and
teens deserve to see LGBTQIA+ characters in
all forms of entertainment media. LGBTQIA+
youth who see themselves reflected in the
media will realize that they are not alone.
Non-LGBTQIA+ children and teens who see
LGBTQIA+ characters on television and in
films will learn about tolerance, acceptance,
and inclusion.
Issue 22
Teens, and
Family
Strengthening Your
Relationship with Your
Child
LGBTQIA BOOK ALERT
09/29/2018
Hurricane Child by
Kheryn Callender
Being born during a
hurricane is unlucky, and
twelve-year-old Caroline has
had her share of bad luck
lately.
She's hated and bullied by everyone in her small
school on St. Thomas of the US Virgin Islands, a
spirit only she can see won't stop following her,
and — worst of all -- Caroline's mother left home
one day and never came back. But when a new
student named Kalinda arrives, Caroline's luck
begins to turn around. Kalinda, a solemn girl
from Barbados with a special smile for everyone,
becomes Caroline's first and only friend — and
the person for whom Caroline has begun to
develop a crush. Now, Caroline must find the
strength to confront her feelings for Kalinda,
brave the spirit stalking her through the islands,
and face the reason her mother abandoned her.
Together, Caroline and Kalinda must set out in a
hurricane to find Caroline's missing mother —
before Caroline loses her forever.
CHILDREN, TEENS, AND FAMILY STRENGTHENING YOUR
RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD | Issue 22
6 Reasons Why It’s Important that Both
You and Your Child Watch Movies & TV
Shows that Feature LGBTQIA+ Characters
by Stephanie Santiful
Some millennials will tell you that the
slow adapting inclusion of LGBTQIA+
characters in children’s entertainment
media has been happening for years.
Characters such as Mr. Simmons from
Hey Arnold or Him from the PowerPuff
girls definitely didn’t seem to fit the
stereotypical male gender role.
However, what these same individuals
fail to point out is that neither show
ever confirmed either character as
being LGBTQIA+ characters. The same
can be said for Bug Bunny’s lack of
hesitation to put on a dress and wig
and slap a big kiss on to Elmer Fudd, or
even Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie
who remain adamant that Bert and
Ernie are only good friends (even when
the original puppeteers have stated
that they played the characters as
being in a relationship).
Without explicitly stating or
demonstrating that a character is
LGBTQIA+, content creators continue
to damage children and teens that may
identify as such, but fail to see
themselves reflected in everyday
society. This is why it is not only
important that children and teens
watch movies and television shows
that feature LGBTQIA characters, it is
equally as important that you watch
with them.
Below are six reasons why.
Supports Representation
Representation matters. The United
States is a melting pot of different
races, cultures, and people of varying
sexual identifies and genders. If your
child only watches television shows
and movies that follow the same
hetero normative status quo, they will
believe this is what represents the
United States. Worse, if your child
identifies as LGBTQIA+ and only watches
shows about heterosexual characters,
they may start to question themselves
and how they identify. This can lead to
mental health issues such as anxiety
and depression.
Builds Trust
Watching television and movies that
feature LGBTQIA+ characters with
your child helps to build trust.
LGBTQIA+ or not, children and teen
often see how mistreated those in the
LGBTQIA+ community are. You being
willing to watch these shows with a
positive frame of mind lets your child
know that they can be comfortable
talking to you about sensitive topics. If
your child witnesses you watching
these shows without being
judgmental, chances are, they will feel
more comfortable coming to you about
the same or similar topics.
Teaches Tolerance and
Acceptance
With members of the LGBTQIA+
community often being insulted and
joked about in on television, film, and
the Internet, children and teen may
start to believe that mistreating
LGBTQIA+ is what is expected of them.
Watching movies and television shows
which feature LGBTQIA+ characters in
a positive light teaches children and
teens both acceptance and tolerance.
Children, especially younger children, If
they see that you engaging in the
hurtful activity of insulting LGBTQIA+
individuals, chances are they will do
the same. This is why it is important to
lead by example.
2
Helps Self-Identify
Watching television shows and movies
that feature LGBTQIA+ can help both
you and your child self-identify. Some
children, teens, and even adults may
not realize that they may not be
cisgender or heterosexual. Seeing a
character experiencing the same
thing(s) you are currently going
through can help you realize who you
are. For example, when they were
younger, author, Kheryn Callender,
realized that they were gender queer
after watching an episode of Degrassi.
Many LGBTQIA+ adults have stated
that they didn’t realize they were a part
of the LGBTQIA+ community until well
into their adult years.
Encourages Self-Acceptance
Children and teens often have a
difficult time accepting themselves.
Bullying and feeling inadequate
compared to one’s peers makes things
hard enough as it is for today’s youth.
This means that LGBTQIA+ youth have
those some problems in addition to
others. Watching television and movies
that feature LGBTQIA+ characters that
are cast in a positive light can be a
lifeline for them. Best of all, watching
these shows and movies with you
shows them that you want to help
encourage their self-acceptance.
CHILDREN, TEENS, AND FAMILY STRENGTHENING YOUR 3
RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD | Issue 22

Not Sure What to Watch Next?

Below is a list of television shows and movies that features LGBTQIA+ characters that are 100%
confirmed on during the show/movies (and not after the fact).
CHILDREN, TEENS, AND FAMILY STRENGTHENING YOUR 4
RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD | Issue 22

Steven Universe CARTOON NETWORK

Features lesbian and gender queer

characters

The Loud House NICKELODEON

Features a gay male couple

CHILDREN, TEENS, AND FAMILY STRENGTHENING YOUR 5
RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD | Issue 22

Adventure Time CARTOON NETWORK

Features girls involved in a lesbian

relationship (though it isn’t confirmed until
the last episode)

Love, Simon 20th CENTURY FOX

Features a gay male protagonist

CHILDREN, TEENS, AND FAMILY STRENGTHENING YOUR 6
RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD | Issue 22
CHILDREN, TEENS, AND FAMILY STRENGTHENING YOUR 7
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Alex, Strangelove NETFLIX

Features a bisexual male
protagonist