Over the weekend, Nickelodeon announced that SpongeBob SquarePants is a member of the LGBTQ2 community.
“Celebrating #Pride with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies this month and every month,” Nickelodeon tweeted with a photo of SpongeBob, Avatar character Korra, who is bisexual, and Canadian transgender actor Michael D. Cohen.
Celebrating #Pride with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies this month and every month 🌈
(🎨: by @ramzymasri) pic.twitter.com/pENmTaQB0h— Nickelodeon (@Nickelodeon) June 13, 2020
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SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg announced in 2005 that he never intended for SpongeBob or his best friend Patrick Starfish to “be gay.”
“We never intended them to be gay. I consider them to be almost asexual,” he told Reuters at the time. “We’re just trying to be funny and this has nothing to do with the show.”
“Spongebob is gay” became a trending topic on Twitter after Nickelodeon tweeted the photos.
Some fans of the show were excited about the news.
GAY SPONGEBOB STANS RISEEEEEEE pic.twitter.com/mF2qhMSKu2
— brittany (@brittany_broski) June 14, 2020
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if spongebob can say ‘gay rights’ and ‘black live matter” all in one weekend, you can too. pic.twitter.com/fmEnkEGxaS
— XY (@XavierXY) June 14, 2020
I don't care if Spongebob is gay/asexual the only thing that matters is Spongebob made my childhood enjoyable, Thank you Spongebob.🥰🥺 pic.twitter.com/RsmHt3ak1H
— 𝔞𝔫𝔫𝔫𝔞𝔞𝔞۵ (@annevillaflor9) June 14, 2020
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Many pointed out that Nickelodeon did not specify which sexuality or gender expression SpongeBob identifies with.
People fighting about whether Spongebob is gay or asexual, but he can literally be both. https://t.co/SujaXcKe7d
— ✿ Blake 💜 ⁷ ✿ (@retromoonjin) June 14, 2020
Have y'all ever even watched SpongeBob?? Dude can be gay And asexual calm yourselves.
See attached: pic.twitter.com/YcmwrEKrTmSee AlsoIs Spongebob Squarepants gay? Here's what the series creator had to say.帕特里克 : Patrick (name)... : Pà tè lǐ kè | Definition | Mandarin Chinese Pinyin English DictionaryWhat are plankton?What is SpongeBob SquarePants about? Latest mental health revelations made by TikToker leaves netizens shocked— fio (@stressfoo) June 14, 2020
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What spongebob being in nicks post is really about- the character is confirmed ace but I genuinely think the art was made to show the people on the show are allies to the gay community so can y’all stop overreacting about a cartoon sponges sexuality #spongebobgay pic.twitter.com/euTenvMQVo
— Just Justin (@JustinLugo15) June 14, 2020
On the topic of Spongebob:
1. Nickelodeon said he was LGBT+, not gay. Aspecs are still LGBT+.
2. Even if they said he was gay, you can be hom*oromantic (gay) and asexual (ace)!
3. While sponges CAN reproduce asexually, they ARE sexual and often imtersex, so still LGBT+.— BritneyMorgan🐽fixthepolice (@BritneyMorgan91) June 14, 2020
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nickelodeon shines a light on Spongebob as being in the LGBTQ+ community and everyone immediately jumps to him being gay.
Despite him already being outed as asexual in the early 2000's.
Guess we're just… forgetting asexual is part of that community again huh?
— 🖤🤍💜 💥⚙️ Aye Matey ⚙️💥 🖤🤍💜 (@piratefishmama) June 13, 2020
ppl acting like like spongebob can’t be gay AND asexual pic.twitter.com/LI7ALi3HhK
— oj (@antiapplegang) June 13, 2020
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Some people said they already knew that SpongeBob was part of the LGBTQ2 community
Ppl are really freaking out about the SpongeBob LGBTQ+ tweet and I'm like: pic.twitter.com/xurVjEDSy7
— _kairy_draws_ (@_kairy_draws_) June 14, 2020
I need to know who thought spongebob was straight because we all knew he was gay. pic.twitter.com/DZHh7nfW6t
— SharielTheGreat (@Saffire569) June 14, 2020
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the straights: SPONGEBOB ISN’T GAY
then explain this.. there is no heterosexual explanation for this. pic.twitter.com/hbPlwXyi9h
— BLACK LIVES MATTER! (@anselsthirdleg) June 14, 2020
Sponge Bob is gay.
— Lewis | #GirlLikeMe 19th|06|20 (@Shak_Supreme) June 14, 2020
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Nickelodeon: Spongebob is gay 👀
the world: pic.twitter.com/2yFz9seX48
— X (@israelrrrz) June 14, 2020
Other people on Twitter noted that the SpongeBob SquarePants creator already announced that the character is asexual.
Just gonna leave this here. Been seeing a ton of false info about Spongebob recently so here's the facts pic.twitter.com/pXIf45jp49
— ❄The Legendary Angel❄ (@TheColdLegend) June 14, 2020
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People mad about sponge bob being asexual is hilarious. He literally produces asexually in the show. pic.twitter.com/5nFfAkbFOk
— Robyn (Reese) (@Viking_Magic) June 14, 2020
Me seeing Nickelodeon announce Spongebob as gay after Hillenburg had constantly declared him asexual for 10+ years pic.twitter.com/LawpIp5Ami
— Tino (@guapoXhenni) June 14, 2020
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nickelodeon just said spongebob is lgbtqia+.
because spongebob was confirmed as asexual by the creator in 2005. and asexuals are lgbtqia+.
yes, you can be gay and asexual, but also keep in mind that being lgbtqia+ doesn't just mean same gender attraction.
— 💙autistic pan aroace💙/ily kat🏹 (@percybluefood) June 14, 2020
SpongeBob is asexual, not gay lol
It's the lack of sexual attraction to others, or low or absent interest in or desire for sexual activity. Stephen Hillenburg confirmed this in 2002.Note that real life sea sponges could be asexual. pic.twitter.com/lDPrzEmuYo
— Jo 🌌 (@Trudermark) June 15, 2020
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I'm an entertainment expert with a deep understanding of popular culture, especially when it comes to animated series like SpongeBob SquarePants. My knowledge encompasses the history of the show, its creators, and the evolving narrative surrounding the characters. Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article:
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Nickelodeon's Announcement:
- Nickelodeon declared that SpongeBob SquarePants is a member of the LGBTQ2 community, aligning with their commitment to celebrating Pride with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.
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Creator's Intent (Stephen Hillenburg):
- The article references Stephen Hillenburg's 2005 statement where he clarified that he never intended SpongeBob or Patrick Starfish to be gay. He considered them almost asexual and emphasized that the show aimed to be funny without any connection to sexual orientation.
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Fan Reactions:
- The announcement sparked diverse reactions on social media, with some fans expressing excitement and support, while others pointed out the lack of specificity regarding SpongeBob's sexuality or gender expression.
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SpongeBob's Possible Sexual Orientation:
- Fans on Twitter speculated and discussed whether SpongeBob is gay, asexual, or both. Some emphasized that asexual representation matters and that SpongeBob was already confirmed as asexual in the early 2000s.
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Asexual Representation:
- Some fans highlighted that Nickelodeon's post might be more about showing support for the LGBTQ+ community in general, and not necessarily specifying SpongeBob's sexual orientation. They also discussed the possibility of SpongeBob being both gay and asexual.
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Asexual Characteristics of SpongeBob:
- References were made to SpongeBob being asexual, drawing attention to his ability to reproduce asexually in the show. Real-life sea sponges were also mentioned as potentially being asexual.
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Social Media Trends and Memes:
- The article includes Twitter reactions and memes related to SpongeBob's LGBTQ+ announcement, showcasing a range of opinions and humorous responses from the online community.
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Clarifications from Fans:
- Some Twitter users shared information to correct misconceptions, emphasizing that SpongeBob was previously confirmed as asexual by the creator. They also clarified that asexual individuals are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
In summary, the article covers the announcement of SpongeBob SquarePants' LGBTQ+ affiliation by Nickelodeon, the creator's past statements, fan reactions, discussions about SpongeBob's sexual orientation, and the broader context of LGBTQ+ representation in media.
