Lesbian Relationship in Nickelodeon Kid’s Show: The Loud House
Children’s cartoon The Loud House aired an episode on March 5th titled “Racing Hearts” which focused on the gay relationship between main character Luna, a member of the titular “Loud” family and romantic interest Sam on their first date. Sam was introduced in Season 2 episode “L is for Love” when Luna gives her a love note confession, revealing Luna to be bisexual.
In Racing Hearts, Luna is very excited to go on the date, which is participating in a town-wide scavenger hunt competition. However, things quickly go wrong as the activities the pair participates in begin to highlight how different Luna and Sam are. It is an excellent conflict focused not on their identity as a gay couple but on an issue that many new relationships encounter, finding common interests.
Luna and Sam’s relationship is treated as very normal in the episode. The plot could easily play out the same if it was a heterosexual pairing, it just so happens that they are not. In fact, no specific mention of Sam and Luna both being women is ever made. The other Loud siblings who are seen in the episode fully support their relationship and are visibly excited for Luna’s first date with Sam. It was an extremely well-handled case of representation, treating their relationship realistically and with respect.
Gif provided by @wyomingparmesan
Overall Racing Hearts was a well-done and entertaining episode with a few cute gay moments that I very much enjoyed. If you have the chance to spare 15 minutes it is worth a watch even if you are not a fan of the show or children’s cartoons.
Examples of LGBTQ+ relationship in cartoons are growing. Just last year Bubbline from Adventure Time became canon and Disney channel had two gay men kissing in the background of a Star Vs The Forces of Evil episode. This recent trend of representation in children's cartoons began with Legend of Korra in 2014 and Steven Universe in 2015 and I, for one, hope it continues for a long, long time.
