My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: Where’s The LGBTQ Rep?

At last, I’ve caught up on season 7 of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. I thoroughly enjoyed the dips into Equestria’s ancient past and the character development of non-Mane Six ponies. I still thoroughly ship Rarijack and enjoyed the bread crumbs sprinkled upon us this season.

Because that’s all we got of any LGBTQ rep this season: bread crumbs.

We’ve now gone through 7 seasons and there is no prominent, clear, or important representation of LGBTQ communities or identities. The only instances are background or implied, like Rainbow Dash, Lyra and BonBon, and stolen glances that are rife with subtext depending on how the viewer interprets the show. The most prominent trans rep is the one episode where Big Mac is Orchard Blossom, but that episode is controversial and Orchard Blossom hasn’t come up since.

I didn’t have an issue with the lack of clear LGBTQ rep in earlier seasons because romance in general wasn’t part of the show. However, more recent seasons have included some very explicit het romances like Cadence and Shining Armor, Big Mac and that sweet pony he delivers apples to, Twilight and Flash Sentry (Equestria Girls), and Applejack’s parents.

Now, that episode about Applejack’s parents meeting is one of my favorites of the entire season. As much as I enjoyed it, I also have to ask: why not have the same sort of adorable love story between two mares or two colts? Now that romance is an element in the series, we should see more than (presumed) het relationships or attractions.

One argument against LGBTQ inclusion in children’s media is “it’s not appropriate for children,” but other cartoons/franchises aimed at children have included LGBTQ rep in appropriate ways, meaning it’s clear the couple is a couple, but no part of their relationship is graphic or sexual. These franchises include Legend of Korra and Steven Universe, both of which I’ve written extensively about on this blog. While these series could do better as well, they have cleared some ground in showing the wider world how to include LGBTQ rep in children’s cartoons.

Now, I also understand my place as an adult fan of a children’s franchise. The show is catering to kids’ interests and not mine. However, asking for LGBTQ rep in MLP is not a request that only caters to adult fans. I’m thinking of a little boy at my church who loves MLP and also has two moms. He should see something resembling his family in his favorite show.

The great thing is that there’s already so much groundwork laid for LGBTQ narratives in the series. Imagine a young romance that doubles as a “finding my cutie mark” story, or an actual, clear spark between any of the Mane Six who already seem well in tune with each other (personally, I see Rarijack and Pinkiedash as particularly compatible lately).

With a little thought, MLP could add itself to the list of children’s media that clearly and appropriately include LGBTQ narratives and characters.