Which classic cartoon characters need to be outed? I was watching some last week and noticed that in 1940s-60s America, a society that was deeply homophobic, loads of the best cartoon characters were extraordinarily “camp”. I’d like to avoid discussions about stereotypes of sexuality, as the point is not about whether “camp” is a reasonable representation of all gay life (of course it isn't) but that in the America of this period people did equate 'camp' with homosexuality, and yet excessively camp figures were the heroes of cartoons shown widely in a homophobic society. Anyway, my prime picks: Bugs Bunny – pure hard-bitten Brooklyn queen, kissing Elmer Fudd and dressing up as Goldilocks. A sort of equivalent to the guy in the tight T-shirt in Summer of Sam, if anyone's seen it. Snagglepuss – a pink tiger, terrified of women, whose voice drips camp and whose catchphrases are "heavens to Murgatroid!" and "Exit, stage left" and "I'm going to run - scarper, even". Any others? Peace.
I know this one is very obvious, but I couldn't let it go without saying. Pretty much the whole Scooby Doo gang, but mostly I'd point out Fred. I mean look at the attire he wore. That damn scarf. he-he-he And then there was Shaggy, can anyone say beastiality?Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I dunno, if you pay close attention to Pepe Le'Pu, you'll notice he's a um...rapist? Crazay huh? Also, its a popular belief that the whole mystery gang, even SCOOBY, are all a bunch of stoners. When they get out of the mystery van, there's a big cloud of smoke. Shaggy and Scooby always have the munchies, and did you ever notice that the "mystery" usually turns out to be the neighbor? I think they get totally BLAZED, walk around in a very stoned state, make the mystery up in their minds, and it turns out to be their neighbor cause they happened to be wandering around the neighbors yard in this altered state of consciousness Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I've long thought Bugs Bunny a romper with both genders. In some cartoons he goes head over heels for some dame, but in others, like you say, he's one of the biggest queens i've ever seen. And then there's Elmer Fudd running around in a diaper, but i won't get into that... Voltron was rather "catty," couldn't miss that big phallic symbol of a sword that he wielded left and right. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! The smurf that was always looking in the mirror and in love with himself. Lots of stuff going on with Ren and Stimpy -- they had an on-again, off-again sexual relationship. And as for non-cartoons... Luke from the Dukes of Hazard and Rosco used to get it on -- that's why Rosco was always chasing after them, because he was a jealous lover. Floyd the Barber on Andy Griffith was obviously a cross-dresser. Murdock and B.A. Barracus on The A-Team had a love-hate gay relationship. And Hannibal secretly had a crush on B.A. -- he always had that cigar in his mouth because he was trying to hint at B.A. that he was wanting something big and black in his mouth. But B.A. never was too bright, and didn't figure it out. Scooter on The Muppet Show was a still-in-the-closet fag.
Ummmm, haven't you forgotten two of the greats: Batman and Robin Spiderman All obviously gay. Velma in Scooby Doo obviously had the whole librarian/dominatrix thing going on. Anybody remember the Ambiguously Gay Duo from SNL?
Yeah! Ace and Gary! Remember the one where they are captured by the femme fatale, and she tries to seduce them? And it does not work, so she yells at her evil scientist dude "You try!" Oooh maaaan, that brings back memories.
Notes It may not have been camp in response to homophobia. It may well be that, with so many campy homosexuals in show-biz ... and go from there. If one happens to be surrounded by that degree of camp, it will rub off whether or not one attaches it to sexuality. But, of Bugs Bunny in a dress ... transvestism is as old as drama itself. It's only in the last few years that it's become so risque. Of Snagglepuss? Sure. I'll actually agree with that. I always thought the word was "mercatroid", though. Of Scooby-Doo: Fred was so in the closet that all he could do was surround himself with the perkiest, most air-headed woman he could find. I always had the feeling that Velma shagged Shaggy back when they were in school and not on the road, but that it hadn't worked out. There's an old joke that the cast represents northeastern US colleges: Fred is _____ (I can't remember), Shaggy is M.I.T., Velma is Vassar, Daphne is Wellesley, and Scooby Doo is Yale. I keep wanting to say that Fred is Amherst College, but that is probably wrong. Dartmouth? Anyone, anyone? But Shaggy isn't with Scooby. As NenarTronian pointed out, Shag & Scoob were stoned, and I think Shaggy was a regular tripper. (What? His dog talked.) Incidentally, did anyone see Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law? The first episode I saw (I think it was the premiere) involved Harvey Birdman, a former superhero with wings sticking out of his 3-piece suit, undertakes a new career and finds that his first clients are Shaggy & Scooby, arrested on a drug charge. It was asserted in court that their behavior was not drug-induced, but the result of absolute stupidity and sheer cowardice. It's a tremendous show. And yes, Pepe needs to spend some time in jail, although I think he was probably a closeted, psychiatrically-troubled homosexual. I think Pepe was "all woman" inside. Maybe prison would do him some good. Dexter's Lab comes to mind: Dexter will eventually invent a droid to do his bidding, but Mandark will probably, after consistent rejection, start cruising schools in a van, looking for smart young boys to tempt with his gadgets and devices. Jabberjaws, the gay shark? Do I have to mention Doctor Hibbert in his Rocky Horror garb? Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!, Tiassa Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
What about the skunk from 'Bambi'....Flower? He was really head-over-heels for Bambi....actually all the Bambi characters are pretty gay, like thumper? I think all three of them have some sort of orgy party going...
Why is Spiderman gay?? How about Jerry from Tom and Jerry. Either the mouse was a girl or he was gay. Always batting the eye lashes and what not. Very flamboyant movements. And is it just me or is Reggie (from Archie comics) the exact same character as Daffy Duck???
hey TIASSA - Harvey Birdman? It sounds great! I've heard of it but never seen it on tv, i'll have to "check my local listings"
You never heard of the Spiderman gay porno? Green Goblin is terrorizing a city, when Spiderman intercepts him. They're duking it out up on the roof of a building. Then during a brief pause, Green Goblin says, "Man, why are we fighting all the time?" Spiderman says, "I dunno, i was just wondering the same thing..." They stand there looking at each other for a few seconds, and then the swanky porno music starts playing... Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Harvey Birdman It appears that Harvey Birdman is part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup, and it seems to be airing on Sunday. Sadly, finding the Network's page on the Winged Wonder was more difficult than it needed to be. But I did find an inadequate cartoon page that mentioned Sunday nights, and that sounds about right. I was in a stony haze this weekend at some point, watching Fred Flintstone call Harvey Birdman from a T&A bar to talk about Pebbles' christening. Sunday night sounds about right. But indeed, check your local listings ... Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Oh, and it turns out the Shag & Scoob episode was the third of the series, and not the series premiere. thanx, Tiassa Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
