I wish more people understood that it’s not like: Big Bad Cartoon Network saying “no you can’t have gays in your shows” and Rebecca Sugar somehow sneaks them in anyways. No, it’s more complicated than that.
In fact, CN execs have actually been generally very supportive of putting queer characters in their show, and what they ACTUALLY worry about is whether or not the gayness will affect their ability to market the episode to other countries worldwide for syndication*. Need I remind you, many countries still deem gay content “too risque” for childrens’ programming, and in some countries it’s outright illegal and pretty seriously punishable. But let me back up first.
*Syndication is when a TV network gives another network the rights to air their show for a certain price. It’s why you see King of the Hill and Family Guy on multiple TV networks. Network B wants rights to air Network A’s show because it might help attract audiences to come see A’s original content, and as long as they pay B for the rights to air it, B is totally fine with it. This is one way a show can help generate money for the network - money which, I will remind you all, is very necessary for the production of Cartoon Network’s shows. Animation is VERY EXPENSIVE STUFF!
So, if an episode of a CN show (let’s start with Adventure Time for example) has too much content that other syndicate networks deem inappropriate, they may edit or (worst case scenario) drop the show altogether, which means CN loses money and will probably face budget cuts (THAT’S BAD!). For example, look at how heavily Australia edits episodes of Adventure Time. They absolutely butchered the first LSP episode to take out any references to things as small as yelling at her parents, because “that teaches kids to hate their parents”.
The crew for Adventure Time has told us that CN execs have generally support the idea of PB and Marceline being romantically involved in the past, but they couldn’t outright say what it was, for fear that conservative syndicate networks would drop the show, resulting in loss of income. CN generates a decent chunk of money, but it’s not exactly the RICHEST network out there, and can’t afford much by way of losses. Failure is pretty much not an option.
But, now that it’s had a chance to tiptoe up to the line with AT episodes like “What Was Missing” and “Sky Witch” without much backlash, it’s given them enough confidence to step it up even further with the content in Steven Universe. CN wants to be supportive - frankly, I still consider it the most progressive of the Big Three networks for animation (*squints at Disney surreptitiously*) - but it’s still a tricky business and has to be taken one step at a time. It’s amazing to behold how well it’s working!
Anyway, I just hope we start seeing less of these posts that backhand Adventure Time or Cartoon Network for not having explicit Bubbline while lauding Steven Universe for including Ruby/Sapphire. Remember that SU’s successful addition of smol gays to its story owes a huge debt to Adventure Time for setting the stage in the first place.
Anyway, I’m super thankful for all this progression we’ve had in the past couple of years, and I can’t wait to see where the future takes us!
Broader shoulders that are more proportionate to his head size. In all cartoons a small body and big head equals child. And a normal body and normal head equals adult
When ever I see photos of couples, who look so in love and so happy, I often wonder: are they still together? Are the photos of the most unhappy relationship a person has ever had just floating around the Internet?
On May 29, 2014, the issue of timemagazine magazine which proclaimed the “Transgender Tipping Point” was revealed with me on the cover. June 1, 2015 a year and 3 days later, Caitlyn Jenner’s vanityfair cover was revealed proclaiming #CallMeCaitlyn
I am so moved by all the love and support Caitlyn is receiving. It feels like a new day, indeed, when a trans person can present her authentic self to the world for the first time and be celebrated for it so universally.
Many have commented on how gorgeous Caitlyn looks in her photos, how she is “slaying for the Gods.” I must echo these comments in the vernacular, “Yasss Gawd! Werk Caitlyn! Get it!”
But this has made me reflect critically on my own desires to ‘work a photo shoot’, to serve up various forms of glamour, power, sexiness, body affirming, racially empowering images of the various sides of my black, trans womanhood.
I love working a photo shoot and creating inspiring images for my fans, for the world and above all for myself. But I also hope that it is my talent, my intelligence, my heart and spirit that most captivate, inspire, move and encourage folks to think more critically about the world around them.
Yes, Caitlyn looks amazing and is beautiful but what I think is most beautiful about her is her heart and soul, the ways she has allowed the world into her vulnerabilities. The love and devotion she has for her family and that they have for her. Her courage to move past denial into her truth so publicly. These things are beyond beautiful to me.
A year ago when my Time magazine cover came out I saw posts from many trans folks saying that I am “drop dead gorgeous” and that that doesn’t represent most trans people. (It was news to be that I am drop dead gorgeous but I’ll certainly take it). But what I think they meant is that in certain lighting, at certain angles I am able to embody certain cisnormative beauty standards. Now, there are many trans folks because of genetics and/or lack of material access who will never be able to embody these standards. More importantly many trans folks don’t want to embody them and we shouldn’t have to to be seen as ourselves and respected as ourselves . It is important to note that these standards are also infomed by race, class and ability among other intersections.
I have always been aware that I can never represent all trans people. No one or two or three trans people can. This is why we need diverse media representstions of trans folks to multiply trans narratives in the media and depict our beautiful diversities.
I started #TransIsBeautiful as a way to celebrate all those things that make trans folks uniquely trans, those things that don’t necessarily align with cisnormative beauty standards. For me it is necessary everyday to celebrate every aspect of myself especially those things about myself that don’t align with other people’s ideas about what is beautiful. #TransIsBeautiful is about, whether you’re trans or not, celebrating all those things that make us uniquely ourselves.
Most trans folks don’t have the privileges Caitlyn and I have now have. It is those trans folks we must continue to lift up, get them access to healthcare, jobs, housing, safe streets, safe schools and homes for our young people. We must lift up the stories of those most at risk, statistically trans people of color who are poor and working class.
I have hoped over the past few years that the incredible love I have received from the public can translate to the lives of all trans folks. Trans folks of all races, gender expressions, ability, sexual orientations, classes, immigration status, employment status, transition status, genital status etc.. I hope, as I know Caitlyn does, that the love she is receiving can translate into changing hearts and minds about who all trans people are as well as shifting public policies to fully support the lives and well being of all of us.
The struggle continues…
i know everyone is probably focused on the smoke… but my question and focus is on the large number of sonic cups and sonic cup sculptures in the picture?!?!?!?!
