These queer–coded fantasy characters snatched our imaginations and young hearts!
10 queer-coded fantasy characters from our childhoods
Time was that finding out and proud characters in TV and movies was rare indeed. In their palace there were queer-coded characters, typically villains but not always, that gave young LGBTQ+ folks the opportunity to relate to who they were seeing on screen.
These depictions tended to be in genre storytelling, like horror and sci-fi, and of course animation, but also the fantasy genre is rife with characters who were coded oh-so-queerly.
After all, there is a reason were so excited for the new Masters of the Universe film, it’s not just because Nicholas Galitizine is entering his twunk era (though it doesn’t hurt) as Prince Adam, it’s becauseHe-man and the Masters of the Universe like many of the other fantasy programs and movies we watched in our youth were unbelievably gay in retrospect.
Whether it was serving up high camp, femme realness, or simply leather-bound muscles, these characters were near and dear to our young queer hearts.
Hawkman in ‘Flash Gordon’
Hawkman in ‘Flash Gordon’
Universal Pictures
Flash Gordon may be the queerest and kinkiest “family-friendly” film ever made. From the Queen soundtrack to the “bore worms” torture scene, and every inch of the costumes in this film, this movie screams gay, in the best and most camp way possible. While we could really name any character here as having queer root potential, we have to give the honor to Hawkman, the fighting, shouting, leather daddy, bear of our fantasies.
Princess Aura in ‘Flash Gordon’
Princess Aura in ‘Flash Gordon’
Universal Pictures
And if you’re a Sapphic of a certain age with a taste for high femme kink, Princess Aura is probably at least partly to blame. While she spends the film pining for Flash and eventually falling in love with Prince Barin, we know a bisexual diva when we see one.
Jareth the Goblin King in ‘Labyrinth’
Jareth the Goblin King in ‘Labyrinth’
Tri-Star Pictures
David Bowie in those skin-tight pants and codpiece awoke a generation of bisexuals. Sure he was kind of a creep with the whole baby-stealing and the teen-seducing thing (cringe), but regardless of how problematic he is now, Jareth will forever remind us of the babe. What babe? Him.
Princess Mombi in ‘Return to Oz’
Princess Mombi in ‘Return to Oz’
Disney
Speaking of queer-coded villains, Princess Mombi and her harem of lady heads in Return to Oz, was both terrifying and alluring. You just know she made them kiss at night.
Lord Humungus in ‘Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior’
Lord Humungus in ‘Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior’
Warner Bros.
While we won’t be racing out to watch this movie again, due to the Mel Gibson being a terrible human being of it all, for baby ‘80s gays Lord Humungus was a leather daddy awakening moment. I mean, come on just look at him.
Red Sonja in ‘Red Sonja’
Red Sonja in ‘Red Sonja’
MGM
The camp factor alone in Red Sonja makes it queer fave worthy, but in addition to all that leather and swordplay was the statuesque Brigitte Nielsen as the titular Red Sonja. This powerful warrior vowed never to sleep with a man (who couldn’t defeat her in battle but let’s just hand-wave that detail away) after being bestowed with powers by a goddess. Gay.
Xena and Gabrielle in ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’
Xena and Gabrielle in ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’
Universal Television
What made Xena such a potent queer awakening moment? Well, there was the Lucy Lawless factor, of course. But she was also incredibly powerful with Sapphic swagger for days. Add to that her forever-yearning “friendship” with Gabrielle and it was pitch-perfect for baby lesbians everywhere.
Lady Amalthea aka The Last Unicorn in ‘The Last Unicorn’
Lady Amalthea aka The Last Unicorn in ‘The Last Unicorn’
Rankin/Bass Productions
Unicorns are lesbian AF. ‘Nuff said? Ok fine, she also had zero time for the boys and just wanted to run, be free, and be fabulous. Lesbian-coded.
Adora aka She-Ra in ;She-Ra: Princess of Power’
Adora aka She-Ra in ;She-Ra: Princess of Power’
Funimation
While the 2018 series remake by Nate Stevenson brought all the subtext to the fore, She-Ra was always queer. She was strong, beautiful, could rock a boot like no one’s business, and rode a rainbow pegasus.
