The Impact of Queer Representation in Animation: Children’s Perceptions of Gender and Understanding of Diversity

From colorful childhood cartoons to intricately animated films, animation plays a crucial role in shaping children’s minds and worldviews. Recent increases in LGBTQ+ representation in children’s animated movies and media have promoted inclusivity, yet they have sparked debate about the age appropriateness of such portrayals. While existing research has addressed the media’s impact on children’s views of gender roles and stereotypes, studies specifically examining queer representation in animation remain limited. This gap in the research highlights the need for further exploration of queer representation in animation and its influence on children’s perceptions of diversity. The present study addresses this gap by analyzing children’s views on gender and diversity regarding queer representations in American and Japanese animation created between 2014 and 2024, a period that highlights the rise of LGBTQ+ representation in children’s media. The study employed a qualitative approach involving 15 students from Hong Kong to explore their perspectives on the topic. It featured visual stimuli of LGBTQ+ followed by semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis was conducted, utilizing transcriptions and coding to identify key themes, along with supporting quotes, within the context of the existing literature. The findings contribute to the development of animation that fosters positive audience attitudes toward gender diversity and promotes a more inclusive society by examining how viewers perceive and understand these representations.