On Saturday, Nickelodeon suggested on Twitter that SpongeBob Squarepants is part of the LGBTQIA community.
In its post, Nickelodeon said that it was celebrating Pride month with the LGBTQ+ community and included a picture of SpongeBob and Avatar Korra from “The Legend of Korra.”
Although we are less surprised than SpongeBob probably thought we would be, the announcement was largely met with celebration. Many pointed out that out favorite sponge’s sexuality was hardly a secret.
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
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
wait is spongebob a bikini bottom
— chris melberger (@chrismelberger) June 14, 2020
Others, however, have pointed out that SpongeBob has always been asexual, not gay, which would still make him part of the LGBTQIA+ community. In fact, in 2005, the late creator of SpongeBob Stephen Hillenburg told People that the character was asexual, not gay.
spongebob is asexual biromantic, thank you for coming to my tedtalk. pic.twitter.com/3K5wJDdBE4
— (@banditovee) June 13, 2020
Spongebob Squarepants is an asexual!!
Spread it like wildfire, everyone!! Don’t erase his asexuality!! pic.twitter.com/hEe4z3w8py
— J ️ ᵇˡᵐ, #MoralesGang (@Realm_of_Light) June 13, 2020
But Nickelodeon did not include the “A” for asexual in LGBTQ+, which might mean that a.) they need someone more queer writing their Tweets or b.) SpongeBob might actually be gay! Either way, we love our little genderqueer childhood icon regardless of who he chooses to love.
