The Best Animated Shows with LGBTQ+ Characters & Scenes

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LGBTQ+ Culture Expert NV Gay gives you some must-watch queer shows

Co-authored by NV Gay and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: February 16, 2026 Fact Checked

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Queer Animated Shows

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LGBTQ+ Cartoon Characters

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LGBTQ+ Moments in Cartoons

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Video

Gay besties, sapphic supervillains, and queer enemies-to-lovers? Yep, you can find all of these tropes and characters in cartoons! Looking for animated shows with some top-tier LGBTQ+ representation? We scoured the internet and did the research to bring you the best of the best queer cartoons. Read on to learn which popular animated shows are totally inclusive—and what streaming services you can find them on (just remember that shows come and go on streaming services all the time, so if you can't find one of these shows at the listed service, it may have been removed!). 🏳️‍🌈

Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Cartoons

LGBTQ+ Culture Expert NV Gay recommends shows like Avatar: The Legend of Korra, Harley Quinn, Sailor Moon, Big Mouth, and Arcane if you’re looking for LGBTQ+ cartoons. Other popular LGBTQ+ cartoons include:

The Owl House
Steven Universe
She-Ra and Princesses of Power
Hazbin Hotel
Adventure Time

Section 1 of 3:

Top Queer Animated Shows

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1
Arcane Taking the world by storm,Arcane is one of the most recent queer cartoons to hit streaming. Set in a utopian world, Arcane follows the origins of two leading characters and how their stories and powers intertwine. Being the first streaming series to win an animated Emmy in 2022, the show has paved a path for queer and inclusive programming.^{[1]
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- Where to watch: Netflix
- Rating: TV-14
- 2021-2024
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Sailor Moon Arguably the queer awakening for many members of the LGBTQ+ community,Sailor Moon is an iconic gay cartoon.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Megan Blue
Anime Expert

Expert Interview} Following a group of schoolgirls as they discover they’re incarnations of super-powerful alien princesses, this Japanese cartoon features gay relationships and gender non-conforming characters.^{[3]
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- Where to watch: Hulu
- Rating: TV-PG
- 1992-1997
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She-Ra and the Princesses of PowerShe-Ra and the Princesses of Power has been deemed one of the gayest and inclusive animated series by the LGBTQ+ community. Created by trans artist ND Stevenson, the series explored queer love, struggle, and joy. Not to mention that the lovable characters are unapologetically queer and proud.^{[4]
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- Where to watch: Netflix
- Rating: TV-Y7-FV
- 2018-2020
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Steven Universe The LGBTQ+ community grantsSteven Universe the honor of being one of the queerest television shows to date.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Jose Rivera
Social Media Strategist & Trend Expert

Expert Interview} This quirky and joyful cartoon follows a team of intergalactic warriors and an awkwardly loveable young boy. The show features prominent gay representation and touches heavily on themes of inclusion, acceptance, and equality.^{[6]
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- Where to watch: Hulu
- Rating: TV-PG
- 2013-2019
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The Owl House Looking for an enemies-to-lovers queer romance? If so,The Owl House is the show for you! This cartoon follows a teenage human named Luz who longs to become a witch, and with a pint-sized demon King at her side, there’s nothing she can’t do.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Jose Rivera
Social Media Strategist & Trend Expert

Expert Interview} The Owl House features many positive queer characters and relationships.^{[8]
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- Where to watch: Disney+
- Rating: TV-Y7-FV
- 2020-2023
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Harley QuinnHarley Quinn is a slow burn for DC fans and queers alike. The show follows a single Harley Quinn as she tries to make a name for herself in Gotham City. Slowly but surely, she falls in love with Poison Ivy, reigniting a love for one of the most chaotically fantastic queer love stories to date.^{[9]
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Jose Rivera
Social Media Strategist & Trend Expert

Expert Interview}^{[10]
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- Where to watch: Max
- Rating: TV-MA
- 2019-Present
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The Legend of Korra As the follow-up series toAvatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra does not disappoint. Beloved character Korra must fight to keep the Republic City safe from enemy forces, and what she doesn’t anticipate is finding love along the way. This series provides positive bisexual representation rarely seen in media today.^{[11]
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- Where to watch: Netflix, Paramount+
- Rating: TV-PG
- 2012-2014
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Adventure Time A beloved childhood classic,Adventure Time was one of the first primetime cartoons to illustrate a gay relationship despite network pushback. Following the tales of a 12-year-old boy and his wise, older dog with magical powers, the show features outrageous antics and goofy situations. And while silly, Adventure Time hones deeper messages of acceptance and understanding.^{[12]
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- Where to watch: Hulu, Max
- Rating: TV-PG
- 2010-2018
- The show’s later spin-off Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake is a gender-flipped telling of the series with even more queerness.
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Hazbin HotelHazbin Hotel features all types of queer characters (even those that aren’t so redeemable). Featuring the musical talents of Stephanie Beatriz, Erika Henningsen, Alex Brightman, Blake Roman, Jessica Vosk, and more, this animated series is certainly a spectacle! With unique illustrations, wide representation, and flashy musical numbers, Hazbin Hotel is certainly one to watch.^{[13]
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- Where to watch: Prime Video
- Rating: TV-MA
- 2019-Present
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The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy Queer representation is undeniable in this sci-fi soap opera. Featuring the talents of Natasha Lyonne, Maya Rudolph, Keke Palmer, and Sam Smith,The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy is a must-watch for adult queers and straights.^{[14]
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- Where to watch: Prime Video
- Rating: 13+
- 2024-Present
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The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder A follow-up to the popular Disney showThe Proud Family, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder picks up right where the original show left off. Except this time, Penny Proud’s friend Michael Collins is out, proud, and fabulous.^{[15]
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- Where to watch: Disney+
- Rating: TV-PG
- 2022-Present
12
Danger & EggsDanger & Eggs is a fast-paced animated series with a lesbian protagonist. You follow D.D. Danger and her best friend Phillip as they try to plan the most amazing day until they eventually get sidetracked (of course). This cartoon is full of queer representation. Plus, it’s voiced by queer and trans actors and co-created by a trans woman!^{[16]
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- Where to watch: Prime Video
- Rating: TV-G
- 2015-2017
13
Kipo and the Age of WonderbeastsKipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts follows a girl named Kipo searching for her father in a post-apocalyptic world ruled by mutated animals. This young adult cartoon may be a slow burn and only offer hints of queerness here and there, but we promise the finale and grand reveal is worth it.
- Where to watch: Netflix
- Rating: TV-Y7
- 2020
14
Dead End: Paranormal Park Following the story of two teens and a talking pug,Dead End: Paranormal Park is for fans of any supernatural apocalypse. The series is based on the award-winning comic DeadEndia by Hamish Steele and features all types of queer characters and stories.^{[17]
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- Where to watch: Netflix
- Rating: TV-Y7
- 2020
15
The Loud HouseThe Loud House is an animated sitcom that follows the Loud household, which features 11 children. Several of the characters in this fan-favorite show are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Not to mention that the series was the first to ever show a married gay couple on Nickelodeon.^{[18]
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- Where to watch: Paramount+
- Rating: TV-Y7
- 2015-Present
Looking for more queer cartoons? Don’t worry! These are only some of our faves. There are plenty more animated shows that feature queer characters and storylines (and we’re sure even more will be created). In the meantime, why not check out our forum on Must-Watch Queer Movies to hear what other wikiHow users recommend?

Section 2 of 3:

Top LGBTQ+ Cartoon Characters

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The leading heroines of Arcane are by far fan-favorite queer characters. Not only are Caitlyn and Vi multi-dimensional, they’re flawed, making them just that more iconic.
The beloved teacher from PBS’s Arthur came out to the world with the iconic episode “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone,” which aired in 2019. Mr. Ratburn marries Patrick, a local chocolatier, and is fully accepted by the community.
Voice by Aaron Paul, Todd is Bojack’s sidekick in the fan-favorite animated series Bojack Horseman. Todd is loyal, creative, and always down for a good time. As the series progresses, Todd starts opening up about his sexuality and begins to identify as ace.
The series protagonist Barney is an openly gay character with a talking pug sidekick—what’s not to love? As a transgender teen boy, Barney faces many obstacles, but he’s also the face of representation and change.
This iconic couple has gone through a fair share of ups and downs. Following a friends-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers pipeline, their romance is one for the record books.
The Owl House’s leading protagonist Luz finds companionship with her enemy-to-friend-to-lover Amity. Unfortunately, the show is rumored to have ended because the queer relationship was confirmed; however, their love story is still one to admire.
While not officially confirmed, the longing glances between Korra and Asami in The Legend of Korra cannot go unnoticed. The two women have a complicated history, which starts with Korra crushing on Asami’s late brother. But as the two grow older, their bond deepens into something fans speculate is more than friendship.
The goofy police duo of Disney’s Gravity Falls is seen together throughout the entire series. Fans speculated on the men’s relationship, and all was confirmed by creator Alex Hirsch.^{[19]
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Voiced by Harry Shearer, Mr. Smithers is a recurring character on The Simpsons. The running gag is that Mr. Smithers is gay and secretly in love with Mr. Burns, who he happens to be the loyal assistant of. It wasn’t until season 27 when all was revealed: Mr. Smithers is in fact a gay icon.^{[20]
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One of the main characters of the animated sitcom Big Mouth, Matthew is an absolute diva. This openly gay and flamboyant character is known for his quips and big personality.

Section 3 of 3:

Top LGBTQ+ Moments in Cartoons

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Adora and Catra are your classic friends-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. When Adora is nearly destroyed, Catra finally confesses her love. The tear-jerking moment brings them to their first kiss, which certainly proves the power of love.^{[21]
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Mr. Ratburn and Patrick’s Wedding Arguably one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ moments in animated history, Mr. Ratburn and Patrick’s wedding on Arthur will make your eyes swell. The beloved teacher surprises his students by marrying Chocolatier Patrick.^{[22]
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- While the episode was incredibly wholesome and aimed toward teaching acceptance and inclusion, many public stations refused to air the PBS episode.^{[23]
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For fans of Adventure Time, the long-awaited kiss between Marceline and Princess Bubblegum was show-stopping. The golden retriever and black cat relationship was solidified by a memorable kiss after saving each other and confessing their true feelings.^{[24]
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On The Legend of Korra, it takes Korra time to warm up to Asami, thanks to her past crush on Asami’s brother. But the two soon become close friends after years of separation. Their feelings deepen as they write letters back and forth, eventually leading them to take a vacation together as something more than friends.^{[25]
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The wedding of Ruby and Sapphire in Steven Universe is all about sacrifice and connection.^{[26]
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Jose Rivera
Social Media Strategist & Trend Expert

Expert Interview} Officiated by Steven, the two have a beautiful wedding that’ll put you in all of the feels.^{[27]
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On Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, Troy and Benson immediately hit it off. As the series progresses, they continue to connect over their similar music tastes and love of flapjacks. The duo’s connection grows into something adorably romantic.^{[28]
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On The Owl House, Amity and Luz start out as enemies but quickly become friends. Luz invites Amity to a dance after learning about her fear of rejection. Together, they defeat a monster with a beautifully choreographed dance that’ll leave you’re heart swooning.^{[29]
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