Queer coding
Queer coding in cartoons First of all - what is queer coding ? Queer coding is subtle portraying characters as queer. The topic of being gay was a taboo for a long time. So to depict LGBTQ+ people, characters had stereotypical traits that were associated with queer people, without actually confirming their sexuality. It's often used in children's cartoons as they usually can't show same sex relationships. Is this representation harmful? The queer coding itself isn't a bad thing but, because often villains are the ones that are queer coded it can give negative association with LGBTQ+ community. Disney often portrays it's male villains as very feminine, usually wearing make up and females as masculine presenting. Queer people have very little representation, because for a long time they haven't been accepted by the society. It's good that media tries to bend the rules and still depicts sexualities other than straight as well as transgender people.