Nickelodeon has hinted that famous animated character, SpongeBob SquarePants could be homosexual in a recent tweet celebrating Pride month.
Fans assume that the kids broadcaster has confirmed the character’s sexuality on 13 June, in the tweet honouring its LGBTQ+ stars.
Nickelodeon wrote: ‘Celebrating #Pride with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies this month and every month.’
Celebrating #Pride with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies this month and every month ?
(?: by @ramzymasri) pic.twitter.com/pENmTaQB0h— Nickelodeon (@Nickelodeon) June 13, 2020
All characters featured in the tweet – SpongeBob, Schwoz Schwartz from Henry Danger, and Korra from Avatar spin-off Legend of Korra, have a rainbow hue.
Korra is a bisexual while actor Michael Cohen, who plays Schwoz Schwartz, is a transgender. On the other hand, SpongeBob’s sexuality has long been discussed and re-discussed in articles, and fan theories since early 2000s coming to conclusions if the character is gay.
For many admirers, Nickelodeon’s tweet confirms that he is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Fans responded to the tweet, with praises for Nickelodeon for the announcement.
However, both Nickelodeon and the series’ now decased creator Stephen Hillenburg denied the theories, with Hillenburg suggesting SpongeBob was not gay but asexual.
As Louis Staples comments in The Independent:
“The show’s creator Stephen Hillenburg said in 2000 that SpongeBob is asexual, a group which forms part of the queer community. So just because Spongebob might be LGBTQ+ it’s important to note that he’s not necessarily gay. Asexual identities are valid and shouldn’t be erased! But, he is still a member of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Though Nickelodeon is yet to clarify the meaning of the post, it’s heartening to see same sex sexuality, is celebrated in mainstream entertainment including kids content.