Gender Representation and LGBTQ+ Portrayal in Steven Universe

Kayson Carlin

Bowling Green State University

April 18, 2018

 

Gender Representation and LGBTQ+ Portrayal in Steven Universe

            Cartoons have spread far and wide, and cover a great variety of topics, from educational television shows for children, to nationalistic propaganda during wartime. Certain themes addressed in cartoons, like all media, change with the societal and/or political climate. For example, in the 1950’s, American cartoons have included references to the Cold War. Even characters were coded as Russian or communist. At that time, it was a relevant issue for audiences who watched international political tension rise day after day. 60 years later, we find ourselves concerned with different issues that affect our daily lives, such as representation of certain minority groups. Today’s cartoons are beginning to reflect ideas of gender and queerness by either explicitly acknowledging it, or subtly coding characters, similarly to certain ethnicities and affiliations of those from time gone by. However, there is concern when it comes to proper representation and how certain groups of people are displayed. Steven Universe (Sugar, 2013) is a fairly recent, ongoing animated series on a major network, that approaches such issues in a positive way, without becoming overbearing or preachy. It contains characters that are considered gender-variant, and queer, and takes their struggles seriously, giving them validity where other cartoons may play them off as a joke. Steven Universe provides visibility for these underrepresented groups.

The 2013 American cartoon Steven Universe centers on a young boy, Steven, and his family of gemstone based aliens as they protect earth from invaders who would wipe out the human race. Millenia before the start of the series, Earth was a colony for these gemstone aliens, until a soldier named Rose Quartz, rebelled. Believing that life on Earth was precious and should be spared, she gained a following of like-minded gems, eventually leading a rebellion and succeeding. In the present, the story continues with Steven, who learns that he is half-human, half-gem, the first hybrid ever in the universe, having inherited his gemstone from his mother, Rose Quartz, who gave up her physical form so that he would live on in her place. With him are the last three remaining gems on Earth; Pearl, Garnet, and Amethyst. Together they help each other heal after the loss of their beloved leader, Rose Quartz, as well as defend the planet from the returning threat of the gemstone home world.

In the lore of Steven Universe, the gemstone based beings are technically sexless, as they are quite literally humanoid forms of rocks. However, every single gem shown in the series thus far is considered female. From this fact, Steven Universe makes a distinction between sex and gender as two different concepts, portraying gender as a social construct. Gems do not have human anatomy, and as such, they have a “fluid, self-described gender” (Tishma) of whatever they wish; in their mind/personal identity, or how they present themselves. Interestingly, every gem uses feminine pronouns i.e. “she/her”, despite not being anatomically female. Though the details of why this is have not been discussed, it’s created a starting point for gender variant characters, especially when looking at how some gemstones present.

A central figure, Rose Quartz, is a gem that embodies femininity. Despite starting a savage war against her own people, she is portrayed as a kind, just, and protective motherly character. She wears a long, white gown, and often gracefully floats just above the ground. Her hair is pink, a color commonly associated with femininity, and her preferred human form is that of a bigger-boned woman. In fact, her entire character theme is associated with the color pink and rose motifs. From these characteristics it is evident that Rose represents someone on the effeminate female side of the gender spectrum. In stark contrast is the antagonist, Jasper, who is on the masculine side of the gender spectrum. Jasper is a tall, muscular humanoid with a sharp jawline and husky voice. She is seen wearing trousers and boots as opposed to more “flowing” clothing such as skirts or dresses that other gems have been known to wear. She is a soldier, physically strong, huge, headstrong and unrelenting (Tishma). Aside from her physical appearance, Jasper also displays male-coded personality traits, such as a disdain for emotions that she considers weak. Within the storyline, her position of power is one often filled by men, and she often bullies others to go along with her. She has no interest in anything outside of combat, and victory, again landing her squarely in the hyper-masculine square (Tishma). However, Jasper is still considered female, using she/her pronouns. This can be read as a representation that not everyone who is female is necessarily feminine. With Rose Quartz and Jasper, two vastly different characters, Steven Universe is portraying gender expression variance by having effeminate females, hyper-masculine females, and everything in between.

Steven is the only gem considered male, as he is half human and thus has a human, male body. Despite this, he has many characteristics that are typically coded as female. He is gentle, caring, and wishes to avoid conflict by meaningful communication instead of fighting and violence. He readily expresses his emotions, such as fear, sadness, loneliness, and most importantly love, unlike a typical male protagonist in many cartoons. And while his confidence, independence, and adventurous spirit classifies him as masculine, his deep nurturing core makes him feminine (Tishma). Further evidence of this is shown in battle, where his weapon of choice is not actually a weapon at all. While the gems wield spears, swords, and whips, Steven uses a pink shield to protect others instead of inflicting harm. He even has healing powers when his friends and family are injured. Both of these aspects are normally reserved for female characters, who are commonly portrayed as unwilling to fight, preferring to utilize their “maternal instinct” to heal and care for others. These traits are not used to reflect negatively upon Steven nor do they detract from his bravery and other such heroic traits. Thus, his character provides viewers with exposure to a male with stereotypically feminine traits being taken seriously (Clark p.82). The show takes this a step further in an episode called “Sadie’s Song”, where Steven performs a song onstage, decked out in a dress, heels, and make-up. The event is not used to embarrass, emasculate, or punish his character, rather, the crowd supports him, not because the drag is funny, but because they genuinely enjoy the performance (Clark p.83). Continually throughout the series, Steven’s character is used to break and challenge gender roles and norms.

Midway through the first season of Steven Universe, viewers are introduced to the concept of fusion- when two (or more) gems become so in sync, they fuse together to become an entirely new gemstone. This is commonly done when one gem cannot complete a task by themselves, and enlists another to utilize both their strengths. Fusion can also happen when two gems form a strong bond and desire to be with the other, which will be discussed later. Steven, being half-human, half-gem, can fuse with both gems and other humans, which is how the character Stevonnie is created. Stevonnie is a being created from the fusion of Steven (male) and his friend Connie (female), and uses they/them pronouns. Since they are literally a combination of male and female, Stevonnie has an androgynous appearance, neither distinctly masculine or feminine. They are simply described as “an experience” (McDonnell p.78). Stevonnie can be viewed as a representation of a transgender character, intersex character, agender character, non-binary character, and/or a genderfluid character (Clark p.51). Again, Steven Universe is clearly displaying gender, gender presentation, and sex as separate concepts.

As stated in the previous paragraph, fusion is a strategy to make gems stronger, as well as a metaphor for a relationship. Garnet is a central character that is a permanent fusion between Ruby and Sapphire, two gems that are portrayed as having a romantic relationship. Since the gems use female pronouns, many interpret this relationship between Ruby and Sapphire as a lesbian relationship and see Garnet as a physical embodiment of a lesbian relationship (Clark p.54). She is portrayed as strong and level headed, formed out of Ruby and Sapphire’s strengths and often described as “better together”. This provides a positive representation of not only a same-sex relationship, but a healthy one as well.

Pearl and Rose Quartz are other primary characters that can be considered LGBT. In flashbacks and soliloquies, Pearl discusses her devotion, and almost obsession of Rose. She recounts how she risked her life to protect their leader, and how jealous she became when Rose began seeing Steven’s father. On multiple occassions, Pearl has even asked why Rose chose Steven’s father over her. Because of this, Pearl’s orientation is considered to be a lesbian due to her perceived romantic love and devotion for Rose Quartz (Clark p.45). This is further cemented, when she later develops a romantic crush on a pink haired mystery woman she meets at a party. On the other side of the equation is Rose Quartz, who conceivably had feelings for Pearl as well before she fell in love with a human man. From this perspective, it can be argued that Rose’s orientation is bisexual.

The inclusion of characters who are not cisgender or heteronormative not only provides a unique perspective in storytelling that is often left out, but also serves as a connection for LGBT+ youth. Steven Universe is obviously a show targeted towards the younger generation, and young people are becoming more familiar with queer identities as a result. It bridges the gap for children who are questioning their own identities, by providing them with characters they can relate to. It invades the darkness, breaks the silence, and tells them “you exist” (Dennis p.96). Such positive representation is critical in forming a healthy foundation for self discovery and acceptance. Steven Universe goes above and beyond what is expected of your average cartoon.

 

 

Bibliography

Clark, Heather. My Lesbian Space Rock Show”: Representations of Intersectional Identities in Steven Universe. Humboldt State University, May 2017. Document.

Dennis, Jeffery. “Queering Without Difference.” Journal of LGBT Youth 5.3 (2008): 96-98. Journal Article.

McDonnell, Chris. Steven Universe Art and Origins. New York: Abrams, 2017. Book.

Tishma, Mariel. Masculinity in Steven Universe. 8 November 2016. Web.