Reactions to Spongebob’s involvement in the LGBTQ community

In honor of Pride month, Nickelodeon shared that Spongebob Squarepants is a member of the LGBTQ community.

https://twitter.com/Nickelodeon/status/1271795092391682048

The Twitter account has turned off the comments for the post since.

Nickelodeon hitting “tweet” then turning off the comments #spongebobisgay #PrideMonth pic.twitter.com/MbZygM6CO4
— William (@WilliamWTHS) June 13, 2020

Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of the series, announced Spongebob was asexual in 2002. The term describes someone who does not have sexual feelings towards others.

Some Twitter users were excited about the news and even launched a “#SpongebobIsGay” hashtag. However, the yellow sponge is not gay. Hillenburg told Reuters that Spongebob nor his best friend, Patrick Starr, are gay, despite what others think.

Are we really surprised spogebob is gay?? Dude had a baby clam with a starfish… #spongebob #spongebobisgay
— Reopen Gyms (@theSwolefitness) June 13, 2020

“We never intended them to be gay. I consider them to be almost asexual. We’re just trying to be funny and this has got nothing to do with the show,” said Hillenburg.

People tend to associate characters with being gay if they do not have a love interest, which defines asexuality. Others associate the choice of clothes and mannerisms with being gay.

So y’all are gonna sit here and tell me you had no idea spongebob was gay, when all these iconic fits were poppin off. Don’t act. #Pride #SpongebobIsGay pic.twitter.com/rMti7gcph9
— lil quarantine boi (@iamtyBaby) June 14, 2020

While Hillenburg cleared up the rumors in 2002, Twitter users have not done their research.

The fact that Spongebob is gay! This year might be better than we thought ❤️ #PrideMonth #SpongebobIsGay
— KEEGAN (@keeganstromm) June 13, 2020

If you live in a pineapple, you're gay. That's just a fact. #SpongebobIsGay pic.twitter.com/ngCmwKtRTb
— ALL COPS ARE CUNTS (@quaranteeeny) June 14, 2020

Others made their own interpretations and stated this does not come as a surprise. Some even went as far as not introducing the show to the next generations.

https://twitter.com/MahoganyJ5/status/1272552442987794432

Those who did not notice Spongebob was gay the whole time have never watched Spongebob #SpongebobIsGay pic.twitter.com/Y8SHIecqvR
— Vivatavita (@vivatavita) June 14, 2020

like we didn’t know… #SpongebobIsGay pic.twitter.com/3Tc3OiIQ1t
— rOland (@judasaf) June 14, 2020

Everyone doesn’t have to agree with Spongebob’s involvement in the LGBTQ community. However, it is a step in the right direction when children’s shows speak on such topics.

Gay or not, this representation may make children feel comfortable with their preferences as they grow older.

Karla Arroyo

Karla is a bilingual (English and Spanish) social journalist who covers Black and brown people with lived experiences of hair discrimination. She is the founder and community manager of The Deeper Than Hair Newsletter, a monthly service providing its subscribers with the latest CROWN Act-related news and resources like advocacy letters they can use to address their employer, school or legislators. Karla carries 4 years of online community management experience coupled with 7 years of storytelling experience. She is actively seeking full-time roles in the community management and communications sectors within higher education institutions, non-profits, publications and lifestyle brands. Karla is a NYC native and is of Dominican descent. She enjoys working out, discovering new music and traveling. Connect with her on Twitter: @karleezysway.