Top 10 LGBTQ+ Couples on Animated Shows

Fans shipped the police partners Sheriff Blubs and Deputy Durland long before their relationship was made official. Their romantic feelings for each other were hinted at throughout the series, with the two sharing compliments and innuendos. It finally became canon in the series finale when they embraced and declared their love. Creator Alex Hirsch had said in 2014 that he wanted to include LGBTQ+ characters in the series, but was worried he wouldn’t be allowed to on a kids show. We’re glad that, even if it was only in the finale, Blubs and Durland finally got to express their real feelings.

This courageous royal couple ruled and fought side by side! In “The Dragon Prince’s” second season, it’s revealed through flashbacks that the two Queens of Duren saved their kingdom from a famine by killing a Magma Titan. They share a passionate kiss to celebrate. However, the two later sacrifice themselves to allow their companions to survive - which inspired their daughter Aanya to be a strong and powerful queen. While fans criticized the show for falling into the “bury your gays” trope, others felt that a passionate same-sex kiss in the middle of a series rather than in the finale did the show credit.

Like Aanya, Clarence’s best friend, Jeff, also has two moms. Eleanor Josephine is voiced by gay actress Lea Delaria from “Orange is the New Black”, while Sue is voiced by comedian Tig Notaro. They first appeared in a 2014 episode, one year before gay marriage was legalized in all 50 States. The two are friends with the town Mayor and very involved in their community. The show never makes a big deal out of their sexuality and doesn't have to explain it. Fans were fond of the quiet couple, who focus on their son and community gardens, and were happy to have same-sex parenthood portrayed as normal and without drama.

Todd Chavez is Bojack Horseman’s zany friend who starts off crashing on Bojack’s couch. When Bojack sleeps with Todd’s high school friend Emily, who was interested in Todd, he realizes he doesn’t feel sexual attraction at all. Todd comes out as asexual and meets Maude, another asexual, through his app “All About that Ace.” Maude is as outgoing as Todd, supports his quirky ideas, and brings her own to the table. It was refreshing to see a critically acclaimed show explore asexuality in such depth while avoiding stereotypes.

Matthew MacDell was the only openly gay guy at Bridgeton Middle School, and initially struggled to find a love interest despite his kiss with Jay Balzerian. In Big Mouth’s Valentine’s Day special episode, Matthew meets Aiden in the greeting cards section of the pharmacy. He’s excited to meet another openly gay guy in his New York suburb, and a cute one at that. The show explores the awkward stages of pursuing a relationship and the complexities of being a gay teen with grace and humour. When the two finally share a kiss, Maury the hormone monster deems Matthew to be his favourite kid.

Throughout this series, it’s gradually revealed that Marceline the Vampire Queen and Princess Bubblegum had previously been in a relationship, and they rekindle their romance. It’s revealed that Princess Bubblegum’s most prized possession is a shirt Marceline gave her, which she sleeps in. In Stakes, Marceline has a vision of herself growing old with Princess Bubblegum. In the series finale, the two share a passionate kiss, confirming their relationship. When viewers first speculated about their relationship, Marceline’s voice actress Olivia Olson confirmed the two had a romantic history. While some fans say the relationship came out of nowhere, others consider it one of the best animated slow-burn queer romances.

Everyone’s favourite teacher Nigel Ratburn gets married in Arthur’s 22nd season’s premiere. After he tells his third grade students that he’s planning his wedding, they assume Mr. Ratburn must be marrying a woman named Patty—his sister. The teacher with a sweet tooth gets married to the owner of a chocolate shop named Patrick. After the ceremony, Buster says “it’s a brand new world,” now that society has become more accepting of same-sex relationships. Fans were delighted that a main character who’d been on the kids’ show since the beginning was written to be openly gay.

This reboot had other queer couples, such as Bow’s dads, but the main characters’ romance take the cake. Catra and Adora grew up together in The Horde. When Adora discovers the sword of She-Ra and her own powers, Catra feels betrayed. The two go from friends to enemies, but even while fighting there were romantic undertones to their relationship. In the series’ final season, Catra and Adora confess their feelings for each other and their love saves the universe. Creator Noelle Stevenson said she wanted their relationship and romance to be central to the plot so it couldn’t be cut from the show later on.

In this Avatar: The Last Airbender sequel series, the new avatar is confirmed to be bisexual when she enters the spirit world with her rival-turned-friend-turned lover, Asami Sato. The two both had relationships with their friend Mako, but got close and began to have feelings for each other. Though their relationship is only confirmed in the series’ final scene, there were subtle hints dropped throughout the show. When Korra is injured and disappears, Asami is the only person she stays in contact with. At the time, The Legend of Korra was the only Nickelodeon show to feature a same-sex couple. Their relationship is further explored in the Legend of Korra comics, where they confess their love and come out to their friends.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Poison Ivy & Harley Quinn, DC Universe
Forget Joker, Harley Is Clearly Meant to Be With Poison Ivy

Craig & Tweek Tweak, “South Park” (1997-)
Originally Fan Created, This Pairing Later Became Canon

Flix & Orka, “Star Wars Resistance” (2018-20)
They Hark From Different Corners of the Galaxy, But Make Perfect Partners

Marcie & Velma, “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” (2010-13)
Series Co-Creator Tony Cervone Confirmed Velma Is Dating Marci.

Howard & Harold McBride, “The Loud House” (2016-)
This Show Made History with the Interracial Gay Married Couple Howard & Harold

This celebrated show is known for having championed LGBTQ+ representation since it first hit screens in 2013. Ceator Rebecca Sugar said she drew inspiration from her own identity as a bisexual, non-binary feminist. Ruby and Sapphire—also known as Garnet when merged—are the leaders of the Crystal Gems, the self-proclaimed guardians of humanity trying to protect Earth. Though the Crystal Gems are perceived as women, they’re humanoid projections of light and have no gender. The couple is based on Sugar’s relationship with their partner, Ian Jones-Quartey. Ruby and Sapphire made history when they aired the first lesbian proposal and wedding in a mainstream cartoon and kid’s show. The two got married after 5750 years and 8 months of being together.