Steven Universe Gays

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About

Steven Universe Gays, also known as Steven Universe Queers, is a slang term used to refer to a type of queer person, often used in a derogatory manner. The term comes from the Cartoon Network show Steven Universe, a cartoon that is often associated with the LGBTQ+ community. Discourse about the use of the term in a derogatory manner has existed since the start of the show in 2013 but grew in virality in August 2022, particularly on TikTok.

Origin

The pilot episode of Cartoon Network's Steven Universe, created by American animator and screenwriter Jessica Sugar, aired on May 21st, 2013. The show has received long-standing commendations from many for its healthy depiction of queer people and female role models, as well as pioneering queer representation on Cartoon Network. The show uses analogies such as "Fusion" to deliver messages about how emotional and romantic bonds can be formed, and how they can be both healthy and problematic.^[1] The show has also been accused by some of adopting pacifist-to-a-fault neoliberal ideas that encourage absolute forgiveness and "white savior" narratives.^[7]

On September 2nd, 2021, TikToker^[2] @cinnobite posted a video about how they would not date "Steven Universe gays," gathering over 260,000 plays and 65,000 likes in nearly a year (seen below). The post is the earliest known example of the term being used in such a context on TikTok.

Spread

The term continued seeing increased use on TikTok leading into August and September 2022. For example, on September 6th, 2022, TikToker^[3] @monstra2.0 posted a video with a text overlay that read, "when I complain about there not being any g @y girls in my town, and then my friends point out the steven universe girl who carries a ukulele around." The post gathered over 1.5 million views and 300,000 likes in two weeks (seen below).

On September 7th, TikToker^[4] @queefcafeteria stitched the aforementioned video, adding a text overlay that read, "if there was a Venn diagram between 'steven universe kweers' and the people doing this trend it would be a circle." The video gathered over 77,000 plays and 11,000 likes in two weeks (seen below).

On September 15th, 2022, Twitter^[5] user @ultralovedeluxe posted a video commenting on the use of the term "Steven Universe Gay" in a derogatory manner, gathering over 1,000 likes and 100 retweets in a week (seen below, left). Also on September 15th, Twitter^[6] user @deleteevelyn wrote a tweet distinguishing between Steven Universe Gays and "Quarantine Queers." This post gathered nearly 900 likes in a week (seen below, right).