15 Cartoon Characters You Never Realized Are Probably Gay

Some of the most beloved animated characters have stories or creator notes that point to queer identities, and a surprising number of those clues have been hiding in plain sight. From late in-series reveals to creator confirmations outside the show, these details come from episodes, finales, and official follow ups that fans can check within the shows themselves. Each entry below highlights concrete moments or statements connected to the character in question. You will also see where the show originally aired, since networks helped bring these milestones to TV audiences.

Velma Dinkley, ‘Scooby-Doo’

In the 2022 special ‘Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!’ Velma is shown crushing on costume designer Coco Diablo, which is presented directly on screen. Earlier continuities like ‘Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated’ explored Velma’s relationships in more depth and featured significant character interactions that many viewers later reexamined in light of newer material. That series ran on Cartoon Network, where the character’s modern era got extra room to evolve. Across films and series entries, Velma’s portrayal has steadily folded in clearer signals about her orientation.

Marcie, ‘Peanuts’

Marcie’s long running partnership with Peppermint Patty across classic ‘Peanuts’ specials has invited readings of coded queerness, especially in stories that spotlight their inseparable bond. The franchise’s holiday and school year specials aired for decades on CBS and later ABC, which helped engrain this duo in mainstream family programming. Newer specials have kept Marcie central while preserving the close dynamic that defined her earliest TV appearances. The consistency of their screen time together is a big reason this interpretation persists.

Mr. Ratburn, ‘Arthur’

In a 2019 season premiere of ‘Arthur’, Mr. Ratburn marries a man, confirming his orientation within the show’s story. The episode treats the wedding as a normal community event, with students and townspeople attending. ‘Arthur’ aired on PBS Kids, which meant this milestone reached classrooms and living rooms through public television. The series has long used school settings to address social topics in age appropriate ways.

Korra, ‘The Legend of Korra’

The final scene of ‘The Legend of Korra’ shows Korra and Asami entering the spirit portal hand in hand, and later comics make the relationship explicit. This follow through built on several episodes that emphasized their growing trust and partnership. The series aired on Nickelodeon, which hosted both its action heavy arcs and its character focused resolutions. Official tie in material then clarified what the finale implied.

Marceline the Vampire Queen, ‘Adventure Time’

‘Adventure Time’ closes with Marceline and Princess Bubblegum kissing after the battle, confirming a relationship the show had slowly developed. The special ‘Distant Lands: Obsidian’ revisits their history and depicts them as a couple working through past conflicts. The main series originally aired on Cartoon Network, where its gradual storytelling style found a large audience. Music focused episodes often carried the most direct emotional beats for Marceline.

Pearl, ‘Steven Universe’

Throughout ‘Steven Universe’, Pearl’s devotion to Rose Quartz is central to her character arc and is explored across multiple flashbacks and songs. In a later episode, Pearl is shown flirting with a human woman nicknamed Mystery Girl, signaling attraction beyond her past. Both ‘Steven Universe’ and ‘Steven Universe Future’ aired on Cartoon Network, which supported the show’s serialized approach to character growth. These on screen moments established Pearl’s feelings clearly within canon.

Waylon Smithers, ‘The Simpsons’

After years of jokes and hints, Smithers comes out in a 2016 episode of ‘The Simpsons’ and later gets a dedicated romance story with a new partner. The show documents his journey from closeted assistant to someone openly pursuing love. ‘The Simpsons’ airs on the Fox network, placing these episodes within one of TV’s longest running primetime lineups. The series has repeatedly revisited his personal life since that reveal.

Lexington, ‘Gargoyles’

Creator Greg Weisman has stated that Lexington is gay, information that expands on what was possible to depict during the show’s original run. While the series did not present a partner on screen, the character’s extended canon and creator commentary provide that context. ‘Gargoyles’ aired in syndication and later on ABC, which carried its final season to Saturday mornings. The property’s later comics and Q and A sessions have filled in many character details like this.

Mr. Simmons, ‘Hey Arnold!’

Mr. Simmons appears with his partner in holiday stories and later material confirms he is a gay teacher in the neighborhood. Episodes use his apartment and family gatherings to show his home life without turning it into a lesson of the week. ‘Hey Arnold!’ aired on Nickelodeon, which often threaded character development through everyday city adventures. This approach let the reveal feel like a natural detail rather than a twist.

Harley Quinn, ‘Batman: The Animated Series’

Harley Quinn debuted in ‘Batman: The Animated Series’, and episodes like ‘Harley and Ivy’ established a deep bond with Poison Ivy that later media developed into a romance. Subsequent animated projects portray them as partners beyond crime sprees, including arcs where they build a life together. ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ ran on Fox Kids, which introduced Harley to television before comics expanded her story. The character’s cross media path carried those relationship seeds forward.

Shiro, ‘Voltron: Legendary Defender’

In later seasons of ‘Voltron: Legendary Defender’, viewers learn about Shiro’s past relationship with Adam and see him find happiness by the finale. Flashbacks and time jumps make his personal history part of the main plot rather than a side note. The series premiered on Netflix, which allowed longer arcs to pay off across multi episode releases. Shiro’s journey is one of the show’s most explicit examples of adult queer representation.

Amity Blight, ‘The Owl House’

Amity’s crush on Luz grows into an on screen relationship with multiple episodes showing dates, confessions, and kisses. Storylines track her shift from school rival to supportive partner as she stands up to family expectations. ‘The Owl House’ aired on Disney Channel, which gave the series a steady weekend audience. The show’s final specials continued to feature their relationship as a core thread.

Benson, ‘Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts’

Benson states that he is gay early in ‘Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts’, and later episodes show his dating life and friendships around that identity. The series presents this as one trait among many in a coming of age story. It premiered on Netflix, which released the show in distinct seasons across a single year. Benson’s honesty sets the tone for how the world treats him.

Luna Loud, ‘The Loud House’

Luna’s crush on Sam Sharp turns into a recurring relationship with notes, concerts, and school events marking their progress. Episodes feature the pair in group settings and family scenes that underline everyday normalcy. ‘The Loud House’ airs on Nickelodeon, bringing these stories to a wide kids and family audience. The show uses music heavy plots to highlight Luna’s feelings.

Sheriff Blubs and Deputy Durland, ‘Gravity Falls’

Across ‘Gravity Falls’, Sheriff Blubs and Deputy Durland trade affectionate lines that culminate in open declarations by the end of the series. Their banter evolves into unmistakable confirmation during the finale period. The show aired on Disney XD after starting on Disney Channel, which broadened its reach to a tween and teen crowd. Creator commentary and the closing episodes together lock in their status within the cast.

Share which characters surprised you most and add the ones we missed in the comments.