I've been researching online to find examples of LGBT representation in western animation and I've come across quite a few. However out of the characters I did find most seemed to be as much a comedic stereotype rather than a positive representation...
Here are the representations in western animation I've find (so far) that I want to focus on within my dissipation.
The Simpsons, Episode 168 'Homers Phobia'
In this episode Homer fears that John (an openly gay character) will have a negative influence on his son, Bart. Homer then tries to confirm his sons heterosexuality by taking him hunting and encouraging him to shoot a reindeer. Homer also tries to force heterosexuality onto his child by forcing him to stare at an advertisment about cigarettes featuring a scantily dressed woman. The episode features Bart dancing around in a woman's wig. This episode was the first episode of The Simpsons to focus entirely on LGBT themes, despite the fact that LGBT themes have been gestured at in earlier episodes. The response to this episode was positive by veiwers however some critics see this episode as one of the worst, because it portrays Homers character as negative.
SuperJail, Alice
This Adult Swim animated series features a transgender woman, Alice. This character could be interpreted as a mockery of transgender women by portraying Alice with strong masculine features, including her bulge and within episodes she's either seen as ugly or portraying a cis males sexual fantasy of a transgender woman.
Southpark, Janet Garrison
Mr. Garrison is a well known LGBT character in cartoon. Keeping to SouthParks traditional offensive tone this character goes from being in the closet about his homosexuality, to a transgender woman and then has a second gender operation back to a male. In one episode of SouthPark, Mr.Garrison openly admits to being gay - to which the school he teaches at responds with refusing to hire him, because they do not allow homosexual staff working there. The response to the characters transgender 'phase' from views were highly negative, views who were in the closet about their sexualisation or gender at the time, claim the episode pushed them deeper into denial and shame about that part of themselves.
Loony Toons, Bugs Bunny
In many episodes of the Loony Toons the character of Bugs Bunny often crossdresses, which can be interpreted as Drag. Bugs' alter ego as a woman is often very sexualised, as the character portrays himself in that manner when in womens clothes.
Cow and Chicken, The Buffolo Gals
This banned episode from CartoonNetwork is most famous for it's depiction of lesbians. 'The Buffalo Gals' are a female only biker gang, which break into peoples homes in the episode and eat their carpet. Within the episode a main character sings about '' Buffolo Gals won't you come out tonight? '' which suggests coming out of the closet about homosexuality. This episode also depicts the gang members as stereotypical 'butch' lesbian characters.
Powerful Girls, Silver Spooner and HIM
Another banned episode from CartoonNetwork, the episode features a heavy Marvel theme; as one character is a spoof of the Marvel character of the 'Silver Surfer' except the episodes character is a clear stereotype of a gay man named 'silver spooner'. Within the episode the Silver spooner is a flamboyant character only interested in destruction and Judy Garland, who is an incredibally famous gay idol. Many believe this episode was banned because of the depiction of homosexual males, but the episode was actually banned because of the spoof of a Marvel character.
Paranorman, Mitch Downe
Mitch Downes character in paranorman is the traditional 'Jock' steorytype, used in much of western films as a character trope - especially in horror movies. Mitch is a very masculine character that is portrayed to be a stereotypical muscle builder. The punch line of the one-sided flirting (from a female character) is that he comments that she's going to love his boyfriend.
Steven Universe, Ruby and Sapphire
CartoonNetworks (arguably) first onscreen same-sex kiss came from these two characters from Steven Universe in 2015. Both characters have commented multiple times that the two are in a relationship and that they love one another - other character also comment, often explaining to other characters that both Ruby and Sapphire are in a relationship. Both female characters form together within the show, to create an entirely different character which often describes herself as an 'experience' or 'conversation'.
Adventure Time, Marceline the vampire queen and Princess Bubblegum
Adventure Time creator Pen Ward has confirmed multiple times that the two female characters were previously in a gay relationship. Although within the series the two often throw between one another comments about caring for each other and referencing their break up. Although as the series has developed so has the relationship between the two female characters, often suggesting a possible light relationship or coupling.
The Legend of Korra, Korra and Asami
Another CartoonNetwork series, from the creators of Avatar: The last air bender. The creators approached a continuation of the world of Avatar with a reincarnation idea; creating the female character Korra, because 'why can't it be a girl?'. Korra developers a romantic relationship with a male character to begin with on the show, but after the two separate he begins dating another woman, Asami. A weird suggestive long triangle forms between the three of them, which filters off towards the end of the series where both Korra and Asami are confirmed to be in a romantic relationship. The last moments of the show end with Korra and Asami holding hands, gazing into each others eyes and leaning in - but the angel changes and we don't see them physically be romantic.
