SpongeBob SquarePants’ sexuality has long been debated among fans, so when Nickelodeon shared a tweet on Saturday celebrating the Pride Month, which included a photo of the anthropomorphic sea sponge, some people quickly took it as the character’s coming out.
“Celebrating #Pride with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies this month and every month,” reads the network tweet along with the images of SpongeBob, Korra from Avatar: The Legend of Korra, and Michael D. Cohen’s Schwoz Schwartz from Henry Danger.
Celebrating #Pride with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies this month and every month ?
(?: by @ramzymasri) pic.twitter.com/pENmTaQB0h— Nickelodeon (@Nickelodeon) June 13, 2020
Since Korra is bisexual and Cohen is transgender, SpongeBob’s appearance on the tweet has convinced many people that the Stephen Hillenburg-created character is gay. Though the network didn’t really specify whether SpongeBob was a member of the LGBTQ+ community or simply an ally, the phrase “SpongeBob Gay” became one of top trending topics on the social networking site, as people debated on it and shared supposed evidence of the character’s true sexuality.
Spongebob gay? I mean he literally had a baby with Patrick pic.twitter.com/RMLVUomVsL
— Cowboy Bebop (@hoe_vid_19) June 13, 2020
This is when I knew spongebob was gay pic.twitter.com/EeVU1Vk7K8
— HYH/YHWH (@7cardhand) June 14, 2020
the straights: SPONGEBOB ISN’T GAY
then explain this.. there is no heterosexual explanation for this. pic.twitter.com/hbPlwXyi9h
— BLACK LIVES MATTER! (@anselsthirdleg) June 14, 2020
Proof that SpongeBob isn't gay ?? pic.twitter.com/spv7FYYFUX
— Saad (@saadsurchii) June 14, 2020
Others folks, meanwhile, pointed out that SpongeBob was actually asexual, as stated by Hillenburg back in 2005 after some conservative groups claimed that SpongeBob’s relationship with his starfish best friend, Patrick, was promoting homosexuality. “We never intended them to be gay,” Hillenburg said of the Bikini Bottom duo. “I consider them to be almost asexual.”
But since asexuals are part of the LGBTQ+ community, SpongeBob is still a member of the community whether he’s gay or not.
spongebob is part of the lgbtq+because he is cannonically asexual not because he’s gay ppl need to get their facts right ?
— nesferatu (@dg_blakee) June 14, 2020
Have y'all ever even watched SpongeBob?? Dude can be gay And asexual calm yourselves.
See attached: pic.twitter.com/YcmwrEKrTm— fio (@stressfoo) June 14, 2020
nickelodeon just said spongebob is lgbtqia+.
because spongebob was confirmed as asexual by the creator in 2005. and asexuals are lgbtqia+.
yes, you can be gay and asexual, but also keep in mind that being lgbtqia+ doesn't just mean same gender attraction.
— ?autistic pan aroace?/ily kat? (@percybluefood) June 14, 2020
On the topic of Spongebob:
1. Nickelodeon said he was LGBT+, not gay. Aspecs are still LGBT+.
2. Even if they said he was gay, you can be homoromantic (gay) and asexual (ace)!
3. While sponges CAN reproduce asexually, they ARE sexual and often imtersex, so still LGBT+.— BritneyMorgan?fixthepolice (@BritneyMorgan91) June 14, 2020
Nickelodeon has yet to clarify SpongeBob’s inclusion in the much-talked-about tweet, but a lot of fans felt that changing the character’s sexuality following Hillenburg’s death would be a disrespect to the creator.
No one said Spongebob is gay. There is no quote. Nothing.
Here are the facts:
1. Stephen Hillenburg said Spongebob was Asexual in 2002.
2. Changing that after his death would be disrespectful to the creator.
3. Everyone reporting this is queerbaiting for clicks. https://t.co/u636YB3kI5
— StevieTV (@TheStevieTV) June 14, 2020