10 LGBTQ people of color cartoon characters
The recent rise of LGBTQ characters in animation has also meant an increase in the number of ones who are people of color. Here’s a list of 10 LGBTQ people of color cartoon characters.
Note I’m using characters who originated in animation, versus comics.
Renee Montoya (“Batman: The Animated Series”)
Renee Montoya first appeared on 1992’s “Batman: The Animated Series” as a Gotham City police officer. She soon migrated to the comics, where she served a similar role. Renee grew in popularity in the comics, and even became her own superhero, the Question. She also briefly dated Kate Kane, aka Batwoman.
Renee in “Batman: The Animated Series” is voiced by Ingrid Oliu (in the first season) and Liane Schirmer (in the second season).
Korra (“The Legend of Korra”)
“The Legend of Korra” is a Nickelodeon series that aired from 2012 to 2014; the series is a spin-off of “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Unfortunately, the last several episodes finished their run on Nickelodeon's website instead of on TV. It’s these episodes (the series finale, specifically) that finally confirms Korra and costar Asami as a couple.
“Korra” is set 70 years after its predecessor series. It stars Korra, a teenage girl who’s the successor of Aang (“Avatar”’s star) as the newest Avatar. The series shows the world having changed from the previous series (it’s become more industrialized). The overall plot sees Korra and her friends deal with various problems (political/cultural unrest, etc.) in and outside the show’s main setting, Republic City.
Korra is voiced by Janet Varney.
Harold McBride (“The Loud House”)
On Nickelodeon’s “The Loud House,” Harold is one of the fathers of Lincoln’s best friend, Clyde. Harold, like his husband Howard, tends to be overprotective of Clyde. Despite this, the McBrides are often shown engaged in various hobbies and interests; one episode sees them travel to Hawaii for a vacation.
Comedian Wayne Brady voiced Harold in the series' first five seasons; since season 6, Harold is voiced by Khary Payton.
Luz Noceda (“The Owl House”)
Luz is the main character in the Disney Channel series “The Owl House.” She’s a teenager who one day stumbles into the “Boiling Isles,” a land in a magical dimension. Eda, a rogue witch, takes in Luz, and begins training her in magic. Over the course of the series, Luz also starts dating Amity, a magic school classmate. Luz is Disney’s first bisexual animated character, as well as their first LGBTQ character to headline a series.
Luz is voiced by Sarah-Nicole Robles.
Rick Brocka, Jr. and Evan Martinez (“Rick & Steve”)
“Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World,” is a (lengthy-titled) series that ran on Logo from 2007 to 2009.
The series, animated with stop-motion Lego/Playmobil-like figures, takes place in the fictional town of “West Lahunga Beach” in California. As the vaguely-off-color name of the town indicates, the show’s humor is definitely “blue”/not suitable for work.
Rick is a 30-year-old man of Filipino descent (as is the show’s creator, Q. Allan Brocka). Unlike his husband Steve (who’s less-than-bright), Rick is a genius, to the point he’s a member of a gay parody version of Mensa.
Supporting characters include Rick and Steve’s friends: Kirsten and Dana, a lesbian couple, and Chuck and Evan. Chuck is a 50-year-old HIV-positive man who uses a wheelchair; Evan is Chuck’s vapid, drug-addicted 19-year-old Latino boyfriend, who spends most of his time at nightclubs.
Rick is voiced by Will Matthews; Evan is voiced by Wilson Cruz. Cruz also has voiced (non-dysfunctional) gay characters in other cartoons, including “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” and “The Bravest Knight.”
George, Lance, and Netossa (“She-Ra and the Princesses of Power”)
The 2018 Netflix series “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” features a diverse cast of characters. These include several LGBTQ people of color, such as:
George and Lance, historians who’re the fathers of Bo and his 12 siblings.
Netossa, the wife of Princess Spinnerella. The couple are a part of the “Princess Alliance,” a group of leaders working as part of the rebellion. Netossa has the power to magically cast nets. Of note, both characters appeared in the original 1980s “She-Ra” series (though not as a couple, given the era).
Similar to the Boiling Isles in “The Owl House,” anti-LGBTQ sentiments are nonexistent on the planet Etheria, “She-Ra”’s setting.
George and Lance are voiced by Chris Jai Alex and Regi Davis respectively. Netossa is voiced by Krystal Joy Brown.
Shep (“Steven Universe Future”)
Shep is a nonbinary character who appears in the “Steven Universe” spin-off “Steven Universe Future.” They’re introduced as Sadie’s romantic partner in the episode “Little Graduation,” with Steven’s reaction to their dating Sadie fueling the plot of the episode.
Shep is voiced by Indya Moore.
Image, from left to right: "The Legend of Korra" (Nickelodeon); "The Owl House" (Disney); "She-Ra and the Princesses of Power" (DreamWorks)