Add Scooby-Doo to the list of children's animated titles with LGBT characters.
Clips from Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!, a new animated movie that launched on digital platforms Tuesday for rent or purchase, depicts brainy Velma as having a crush on a new female character known as Coco Diablo.
In one scene, Velma walks into a room and is smitten by Coco Diablo, her white hair swaying back and forth. We see Velma's thoughts about Diablo: "amazing turtleneck," "incredible glasses," "obviously brilliant" and "likes animals." Within seconds, Velma's glasses fog up, and her cheeks turn rosy red.
In another scene, Velma's friend Daphne jokes, "I didn't know convicted felons were your type." Velma is flustered but eventually acknowledges her romantic interest: "What? … Please. Who has time for a type? We have our work cut out for us, and I am focused like a laser on … OK, who am I kidding? I'm crushing big-time, Daphne! What do I do? What do I say?"
In still another scene, Daphne encourages Velma to approach Diablo.
"Now's your chance to talk to her," Daphne says.
In the 2004 movie Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, Velma had a crush on a boy.
LGBT characters are increasingly becoming a staple of mainstream children's titles.
The popular children's animated series Peppa Pig introduced a lesbian couple this year. The episode, titled Families, depicted one of Peppa's friends named Penny Polar Bear showing the audience a photo of her family.
"I live with my mommy and my other mommy," Penny says. "One mommy is a doctor, and one mummy cooks spaghetti. I love spaghetti."
The PBS children's math shows Odd Squad this year included a same-sex couple when the characters attended the wedding of two women.
Also, this year, a new episode on Apple TV Plus featuring the Peanuts characters included a message about LGBT families. Marcie tells Peppermint Patty, "Some kids even have two moms." The special episode was titled Snoopy Presents: To Mom (And Dad), With Love.
Related:
Children's Show 'Peppa Pig' Introduces Lesbian Polar Bears into Plot
PBS Kids' 'Odd Squad' Features Same-Sex Wedding, with Agent Oswald Officiating
New 'Peanuts' Special Has LGBT Message: 'Some Kids Even Have 2 Moms'
Photo courtesy: Jay R./Unsplash
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
