Rebecca Sugar Explains Why LGBT Representation Is So Important In 'Steven Universe'

In light of recent events that have happened in America, this article serves as a great reminder to why diversity and representation is important, especially in children's shows. Here's a sneak peek:


"It’s about providing people, and in this case children, the chance to understand themselves. When it comes to the development of identity, studies have proven that fiction helps us learn who we are by finding characters who chime with how we feel. If you take that away from a certain group of people, that group will feel isolated and wrong from the very start of their development as a person. Which seems rather cruel.

This is why Steven Universe is so important. The slow build from subtle framing of certain moments as romantic, to the oblique use of words like “love” and “flirting” to describe Ruby and Sapphire’s relationship, is really very clever. Instead of barreling straight in with the facts — that these two characters are in love — Steven Universe concentrates on the fact that this relationship is healthy and loving, and then moves on to making it clear that it’s undeniably romantic."

The article by Eleanor Tremeer can be found here.

[quote="Garnet"]In light of recent events that have happened in America, this article serves as a great reminder to why diversity and representation is important, especially in children's shows. Here's a sneak peek:


"It’s about providing people, and in this case children, the chance to understand themselves. When it comes to the development of identity, studies have proven that fiction helps us learn who we are by finding characters who chime with how we feel. If you take that away from a certain group of people, that group will feel isolated and wrong from the very start of their development as a person. Which seems rather cruel.

This is why Steven Universe is so important. The slow build from subtle framing of certain moments as romantic, to the oblique use of words like “love” and “flirting” to describe Ruby and Sapphire’s relationship, is really very clever. Instead of barreling straight in with the facts — that these two characters are in love — Steven Universe concentrates on the fact that this relationship is healthy and loving, and then moves on to making it clear that it’s undeniably romantic."



The display of the LBGTQ+ community in shows like Steven Universe are helping younger viewers to realize that being gay, queer, bi, trans, etc, etc, is ok and that people should not be shamed for who they love and who they are. It is one of the many reasons why I am such a big fan of the series; I myself can identify with characters, feel emotion with situations that the characters face that are relevant to real life ones, and even further confirms that it is ok for me to be, well me.

So, I applaud Rebecca Sugar and her amazing team for making such a life changing masterpiece that is Steven Universe.

I know this is kinda random.. But, if this show didn't exist, I might not be alive today...

Karmic Retribution wrote:

I know this is kinda random.. But, if this show didn't exist, I might not be alive today...

Oh wow, that was very brave of you to state that. I'm happy to know that this show has saved your life.

Karmic Retribution wrote:

I know this is kinda random.. But, if this show didn't exist, I might not be alive today...

I'm glad this series has helped you. It's an amazing thing when something, a story, an artist, a friend, a pet, anything, can help someone through tough times.