Everyone left and right have been sharing news about Spongebob Squarepants being gay, and I'm here to dispute that.
Everyone's favorite under the sea pineapple-dweller is not gay.
The debate began after Nickelodeon recently posted a tweet in support of June being Pride month.
Celebrating #Pride with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies this month and every month π β£
β Nickelodeon (@Nickelodeon) June 13, 2020
(π¨: by @ramzymasri) pic.twitter.com/pENmTaQB0h
Along with Spongebob, the image set included rainbow art of Korra, who is bisexual, from The Legend of Korra and actor Michael D. Cohen, who is transgender and plays Schwoz Schwartz from Henry Danger.
Despite the fact that Nickelodeon's tweet didn't specify the yellow sponge's sexuality, fans immediately ran with it.
GAY SPONGEBOB STANS RISEEEEEEE pic.twitter.com/mF2qhMSKu2
β brittany (@brittany_broski) June 14, 2020
i love that it's not even "spongebob IS gay" everyone went so feral so quick that it's just SPONGEBOB GAY pic.twitter.com/vZQOHXVv8o
β brooke π (@asaahis) June 13, 2020
Everyone shocked that nick tweeted out spongebob gay , when this literally was in an episode lmao pic.twitter.com/7X3WH2u4ts
β john (@iam_johnw) June 13, 2020
Spongebob gay? I mean he literally had a baby with Patrick pic.twitter.com/RMLVUomVsL
β Cowboy Bebop (@hoe_vid_19) June 13, 2020See AlsoεΈηΉιε : Patrick (name)... : PΓ tΓ¨ lΗ kΓ¨ | Definition | Mandarin Chinese Pinyin English DictionaryWhat are plankton?What is SpongeBob SquarePants about? Latest mental health revelations made by TikToker leaves netizens shockedKaren Plankton
β BLACK LIVES MATTER! (@anselsthirdleg) June 14, 2020the straights: SPONGEBOB ISNβT GAY
then explain this.. there is no heterosexual explanation for this. pic.twitter.com/hbPlwXyi9h
I hate to be that person, but Spongebob isn't gay.
Back in 2005, creator of Spongebob Squarepants Stephen Hillenburg firmly said that Spongebob is neither straight nor gay.
βIt doesnβt have anything to do with what weβre trying to do,β he said to Reuters, according to People.
Hillenburg, who was a marine biologist teacher prior to creating the series, emphasized that the show was purely for entertainment and not anything else.
βWe never intended them to be gay. I consider them to be almost asexual. Weβre just trying to be funny and this has got nothing to do with the show.β
Sadly, Hillenburg has since passed away in 2018 after a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). But the debate continues.
Y'all. Spongebob is asexual.
Broadly speaking, people who are asexual often desire strong, emotionally-intimate relationships without any interest in sex. The level of intimacy and preference against sexual relationships varies from person to person.
Which makes sense. You know, him being a yellow sponge and all.
Of course, fans love him regardless.
spongebob is asexual biromantic, thank you for coming to my tedtalk. pic.twitter.com/3K5wJDdBE4
β πππ (@banditovee) June 13, 2020
Let's all give it up for our asexual icon, Spongebob! π€π€π pic.twitter.com/QM0IEl75OX
β π π΄π‘πππ πΆππ’ π²πππππππ π (@is_spinel) June 13, 2020
Personally, good on Nickelodeon for giving us a queer icon after 21 years of the series being on air on TV and on the silver screen.
Now, if they would just have more LGBTQ+ representation in their other shows too that would be great.
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Cover image sourced from Nickelodeon.
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of pop culture and media representations, particularly within the realm of animated television, I can provide valuable insights into the controversy surrounding Spongebob Squarepants' perceived sexual orientation.
The discussion emerged when Nickelodeon, in support of Pride month, posted a tweet featuring Spongebob alongside other LGBTQ+ characters and personalities. This sparked a flurry of reactions, with fans interpreting the inclusion of Spongebob in the tweet as an indication of his sexual orientation.
Several tweets in response expressed enthusiasm for the idea of Spongebob being gay, while others referenced past episodes and moments that seemed to suggest or contradict this possibility. However, it's crucial to note that the official statement from the creator of Spongebob Squarepants, Stephen Hillenburg, is a key piece of evidence in understanding Spongebob's intended characterization.
Hillenburg, a marine biologist turned animator, stated in 2005 that Spongebob's sexual orientation was not a focus of the show. He emphasized that the characters were not designed to be specifically straight or gay, and he considered them to be almost asexual. This perspective is supported by the creator's intent, as he highlighted that the primary goal of the show was entertainment.
Despite Hillenburg's clear statement, the debate continues, with some fans suggesting that Spongebob is asexual biromantic. Asexuality is a spectrum, and individuals who identify as asexual may have varying levels of interest in sexual relationships. In Spongebob's case, the argument aligns with his character being a yellow sponge, which, in a humorous twist, is used to support the idea of him being asexual.
The tweets and reactions from fans reflect the ongoing discourse surrounding representation in media, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. The desire for diverse and inclusive portrayals is evident, as seen in the appreciation for Nickelodeon's support of Pride month and the hope for more LGBTQ+ representation in their other shows.
In conclusion, while fans may have their own interpretations and preferences for Spongebob's sexual orientation, the authoritative statement from the creator provides a clear understanding of the character's intended portrayal as asexually oriented. The broader conversation highlights the importance of representation in the media and the ongoing efforts to promote diversity in animated content.
