10 Kids Cartoons Featuring LGBTQ+ Characters

In Steven Universe, the titular Steven, a half-gem half-human kid who's part of the earth-defending Crystal Gems, finds out over the course of the series about his powers and his mysterious mother - a gem who "died" in order for him to be born.

With what seemed like benign, pastel alien fun times at first, the show's trajectory suddenly turned far more intriguing when it's revealed that one of Steven's guardians, a put-together competent Crystal Gem named Garnet, is actually two smaller gems combined, constantly "fused" together due to their devotion to one another. Their relationship is touched on further into the story, eventually culminating in a musical episode surrounding their Earth-style wedding - the first same-sex wedding ever to be aired on a children's cartoon show.

Pearl, one of the Crystal Gems, an over-protective perfectionist, is revealed to have been in love with Steven's mother, Rose Quartz, whose death continues to affect Pearl throughout the show.

Showrunner Rebecca Sugar hasn't been shy about her pushes towards queer rep and obstacles she ran into, but her continuing efforts have led the way for such representation in future shows, while her own remains a steadfast reminder of what love can really accomplish.