Steven Universe Gays
Added about a year ago by sakshi • Updated 7 months ago by Zach
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| About • Origin • Spread • Various Examples • Search Interest • External References • |
Type: Catchphrase Cliché Pop Culture Reference Slang Viral Debate
Tags: steven universe gays steven universe queers tumblr gays lgbtq gay lesbian teen gen z neopronouns internet slang catchphrases viral debates steven universe memes steven universe tiktok
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.
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7003392604238925061
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).
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/6994891156064636165
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).
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7140725551844658475
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).
Various Examples
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7145971766530297134
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7144112682898033963
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7107984782423870763
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7143368373609467179
Search Interest
Unavailable.
External References
[1] IndieWire – Steven Universe Queer Representation
[2] TikTok – @cinnobite
[4] TikTok – @queefcafeteria
[5] Twitter – @ultralovedeluxe
[6] Twitter – @deleteevelyn
[7] TikTok – @blackbirdblackberry
Comments ( 1 )
I have a theory that the rapid culture changes caused by 9/11 and the Obama years have not only reverted back to a normal pace, but have actively gotten slower than normal. I'm not sure whether you could call it "cultural fatigue," or a "social refractory period," or what, but with very few exceptions, I don't think you're seeing that much in the way of grand revolutions.
The most that we can say is that things have moved around or been retooled. Twitter may be awful, but that's because it got all of Tumblr's refugees. The stuff I've heard by 100 Gecs largely recombines a bunch of the stuff that was prevalent in earlier music (autotune, pop-punk vocals, electronica influences). Surreal memes, "Gen Z Humor," etc, are all repackaged stuff from "Special Meme Fresh" and ironic takes on older memes. Stuff around the fringes may change at a more rapid rate, but we're still in an era where you can see Wojaks and Pepes abounding.
We've gone through one of the more baffling presidencies in human history, a global pandemic, the diminishing of Facebook in the youth's eye, and the rise of TikTok. Yet, I think that if we went back in time by 8 years or so to tell people the news of future culture, I don't think they would be all too surprised. Compare that to if somebody in 2008 went back in time to 2000 and explained the cultural changes that the world underwent.
TL;DR: Holy fuck, I am continually amazed that people still are this affected by Steven Universe.
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