Queer Coding; What is it?

What does queer mean? What is queer coding? To put it simply it is the use of gay stereotypes in order to potentially bring in queer representation without having to explicitly write queer people into movies and tv series.

A Quick Explanation of The Hays Code

A set of guidelines was established in 1930 and was referred to as the “Hays Code”. These guidelines remained in effect until 1968 and had a large impact on how LGBT characters were portrayed in media.

The Hays Code was created as a way to strictly prohibit what could be seen as sexual perversion in films and other forms of media. This included without explicitly stating “homosexuality”. Because of this, filmmakers who wanted to portray lgbtq characters had to do so in a subtle manner, without acknowledging their sexuality. This is how queer coding first started, by showcasing lgbtq characters through negative stereotypes, exaggerated mannerisms, and a lack of interest for marriage or romance.

Today, the Hays Code is relegated to history – at least in technicality. In truth, many writers still engage in this practice when they want to hide, gays, lesbians, and other queer folks in their stories.

Characteristics of Queer Coding

When it comes to queer coding there are a few set characteristics that coincide with stereotypes that someone might associate with being queer. These traits can appear to be subtle in some cases, and crude in others. Examples of queer coding can even be different based on gender, and gender identity

Examples of Queer Coding Characteristics in Male or Male Aligned Characters

• Flamboyant Traits

  Have you ever encountered a character on a TV show or movie who moved with confidence and style? It’s as if every thing they do is intended to grab attention. This is often used to communicate with the audience that a character is likely gay.

• Effeminate Fashions

  A male character who is meant to be seen as something other than straight will often be shown wearing fashions that could be considered effeminate. Their hair may be longer length than what is considered to be normal. They may have the appearance of makeup such as eye shadow, lipstick, or blush on their face. Their choice of clothing might also point to more girlish traits. Such as long coats or cloaks that cinch around the waist, giving the appearance of a dress or skirt. Knee-high boots with heels, with tight pants, or stockings may also be paired with an outfit like this. They might also be seen wearing accessories such as bows, ribbons, hair pieces, and more.

• Flashy or Dramatic

  Flashy or dramatic dress, mannerisms, and behaviors are often given to characters that writers want to be gay – without coming out and saying so. These characters may have over the top reactions or seem to stir up drama in every scene. This coding can be great fun. Unfortunately, it can also have the impact of equating queerness with messiness or attention seeking.

• Posture

  When it comes to stereotypes sometimes all it takes is a look at the way a person holds themself to determine if they are straight or queer-coded. In pieces of art in which a character is posed the characters who are intended to be subtly queer may have more of a dramatic pose, or a pose of higher interest. They may have their hands on their hip with their chest puffed out, accentuating a more womanly form.

Examples of Queer Coding Traits in Female or Female Aligned Characters

• Disinterest in Men

  Ever heard of the Bechdel Test? It’s a test of female representation in the media, specifically movies and TV shows. To pass, the production must meet three criteria.

  • Have two named women characters

  • The two characters must interact

  • The two must talk about something other than men

  Very few shows pass this test. When they do, people often assume that at least one of the characters is lesbian. Why? The lack of focus on men is often perceived by audience members to symbolize queerness.

• Lack of interest in traditionally feminine things

  Lesbians are often perceived as being uninterested in anything girlish. So, one of the quickest ways to queer code a woman character is to ensure she’s not interested in anything stereotypically girly or feminine.

• Lumberjack sense of fashion

  The plaid wearing lesbian is a popular stereotype. So much so that it’s often written into a script to imply homosexuality.

• Having Masculine Traits or Interests

  Is there a woman character in a film or tv show who loves to shoot guns, ride motorcycles, or fix cars? Can she hold her own in a fight or down a shot of whiskey without choking on it? There’s at least a chance that this is a coded lesbian.

The Queer Coding of Villains

Queer coding villains is a practice that has been in place for nearly a century, and is still practiced today. In some cases, the use of queer coding was used to place gay characters in media without breaking the rules of the hays code. However, in most cases queer coding was explicitly saved for villainous characters in order to make younger audiences view queer people as being potentially bad or evil based on negative perceptions of a fictional character.

Ursula (The Little Mermaid)

Ursula’s design was inspired by the drag queen “Divine” and is seen as a queer icon by both men and women. She possesses a flamboyant personality, a strong distaste for romance, and uses her niece’s interest in human beings as a way to gain power.

HIM (Power Puff Girls)

Him’s real name was never actually revealed across the entire run of the series. However he was described as a creature so horrifically evil that you could only refer to him as “Him”. Him is a character that seems to portray everything that could be seen as negative about gay men. His high pitched voice, the bright reds and pinks, the tutu, the stilettos, and of course that flamboyant charisma he possessed. Him was also quite literally a play on the devil when it came to his design.

Cruella Deville (101 Dalmatians)

Is Cruella lesbian, or meant to be taken that way? Many fans believe so, especially the Glenn Close version of the character. No, nothing is implied about her sex life. Instead, we see a character who is loud and brash. She also bristles against the expectations that society has for women to settle down and have babies.

Jesse and James (Pokémon)

It didn’t take viewers long to become aware that both Jesse and James were queer coded. The villainous pair each exhibit traits that basically scream queerness.

Let’s start with James. He is extraordinarily talented, effeminate, and a bit delicate. In contrast, Jesse has more traditionally male-aligned traits. She’s not necessarily butch. Still, her clothing is much more understated than James’. She also has a much more no-nonsense approach.

Scar (The Lion King)

Scar is written as a flamboyant character, that’s evident through his voice and movements. He’s also petty and dramatic. This has led to criticism that he is nothing more than a cheap, gay stereotype.

Voldemort (Harry Potter)

Sometimes, queer coding is done to enhance the negative impact of a villain. By making a character gay or transgender, for example, a writer can play on the stereotypes that audiences buy into. Sometimes, queer coding is also a way for a writer to communicate their own bigotry, personal agenda, or both. In the case of the character of Voldemort, the author appears to be using both tactics.

The theory is that Voldemort is a transgender coded villain. To put a finer point on it, the character is specifically meant to show a villain who transforms from a man to a monster. He goes from being described as handsome through a process of transition where he becomes uglier and uglier. The final result is someone who is physically repulsive and morally bankrupt.

Norman Bates (Psycho)

In Psycho, by Alfred Hitchcock, Norman Bates frequently dresses as a woman. He’s also got major mommy issues. Both are plot devices that are used to tell audiences that a person is trans, gay, or perhaps both. When combined with a character who engages in violence or antisocial behavior, this becomes a way to use negative stereotypes to get audiences to buy into a character’s evilness.

More Examples of Queer Coded Characters

Queer coding is not explicitly limited to villainous roles, in some instances there are characters who are absolutely on the heroes side who are very much part of queer coding.

Li Shang (Mulan)

In the story of Mulan, people often see Li Shang as a slightly more well-developed version of the ever-present prince. But, on closer examination, the character could be coded bisexual. Consider this. Li Shang isn’t just personally attracted to the feminine version of Mulan. He’s quite invested in Ping too. Given that context, it’s at least possible that Li Shang is meant to be interpreted as bisexual.

Betty and Howard Deville (Rugrats 1993-2005)

This couple didn’t feel like a couple. But rather two queer friends who got together and realized that while they might not have worked well as a romantic couple they did enjoy each others company and the benefits of being married.

Betty Deville, although she is an openly lesbian woman in the reboot series she did have a husband in the original series. Betty Deville was muscular, feminist, and a very progressive person. She had a strong distaste for cooking and cleaning, and often allowed her husband to take on the tasks that were set aside for the traditional housewife.

Howard, although he was quite forgettable in comparison to Betty, held the opposite energy. He showcased a few stereotypes such as an interest and ability to do stereotypically woman-aligned tasks. A lack of strength, a higher pitch of voice than the other adults on the show. Betty and Howard Deville might have been married, but they were both definitely coded to be homosexual in their own ways.

Megara (Hercules)

Tough-talking, sarcastic Megara has been through it when it comes to relationships. That much is clear, but many viewers don’t believe her relationships have been solely with men. There are definitely some hints that she’s bisexual, and that she’s been done wrong by both genders. Of course, as Disney plays coy about these matters, no word of confirmation of this from the producers.

Bugs Bunny (Looney Tunes)

Throughout the entire existence of the Looney Tunes Universe bugs bunny has displayed a lot of queer behaviors that while they were used in a comedic sense never actively vilified the existence of those people. In fact a large portion of the idea for Bugs Bunny was actively inspired by trans people as even the creator Chuck Jones was reported to state that he always imagined his “Wascally Wabbit” as being trans.

Wendy Corduroy (Gravity Falls)

Wendy is seen as being one of the guys, and while she does have a couple of boyfriends and male romantic interests the idea of her being entirely straight just doesn’t sit well. We don’t think she’s entirely lesbian, but she definitely gives the vibe of being bisexual. She dresses in flannels, and jeans, a fit that is almost always stereotypical for female lesbian roles. She has masculine mannerisms such as belching, being lazy, and being generally rude. There are even times in which it simply feels like she is just one of the guys.

Mr. Ratburn (Arthur)

Nigel Ratburn never felt like he was straight. This man enjoyed showcasing his artistic side, his talent for dance, his burning passion for knowledge. There had always been speculation on what sexuality he did identify with. Some claiming he was asexual, some claiming he had to be bi, and some claiming he was obviously gay. His sexuality was finally revealed with the premiere of his wedding in which he married a chocolatier named Patrick. During the episode the kids believe that it is Patty who Mr. Ratburn is going to marry, who is revealed near the end of the episode to be Nigel’s sister and wedding planner. Patty is also incredibly queer-coded.

Queer Coding Vs. Queer Baiting

The words queer baiting and queer coding are sometimes used to mean the same things. In truth, they represent two different concepts.

Let’s start with queer baiting. This is a manipulative tactic used to attract queer audiences by attempting to convince them that representation exists where it really does not. For example, a certain fiction writer creates a character who is described and developed as cis-hetero. Later, they claim the character was really queer coded when it becomes clear that a segment of fans wants this to be true.

What’s the problem with queer baiting? The answer is complex. First, it promises queer audiences a character or relationship that is meaningful to them, but never delivers. It’s a way to draw in a certain audience without giving them anything meaningful. Ultimately, there is no LGBTQIA+ character and no queer relationship.

Queer Coding in The Present – Good And Bad

Queer coding isn’t completely good or bad. It all depends on the context in which the act of queer coding is used.

A look at the examples of bad queer coding

• Voldemort from Harry Potter is stated to be heavily trans queer coded. He is shown as being this horrific being that nobody even dares to say the name of in fear of being cursed. JK Rowling has very strongly stated her negative stance on transgender people multiple times throughout her career. However it is quite a strange stance to have considering the fact that one of the biggest messages people take from her stories is the fact that people shouldn’t be forced to be confined to one potential.

• Norman bates is another negative example of queer coding. Good old Norm is weird, mentally ill, and has mommy issues. He’s also violent towards women. While it isn’t always negative to have villains that are queer-coded, it certainly is when the characters as written to further stereotypes from media and history.

• The queer BFF is often a joke of a character who exists for no other reason than to validate a main character, or to be a target for cheap, punching-down humor. This character is almost always dumb, gossipy, bitchy, and over-sexed.

There’s also the fact that the queer community deserves better. Queerness should be represented in films through complex, well-composed roles who are given something meaningful to do within the stories they are part of. Queer coding in film and TV is pandering to homophobic and transphobic audiences who believe they shouldn’t be exposed to characters whose identity doesn’t align with theirs.

When Queer Coding is Good

It’s understandable why film and television writers used queer-coding in the past. They simply didn’t have a choice. And, many did it in ways that offered up genuinely good representation of gay and gender nonconforming characters considering the limitations they were dealing with. That’s an admirable thing.

Time For Queer-Coding to be Put to Bed

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community deserve representation in media. They deserve compelling characters and interesting storylines, not characters who might be a little queer if you read between the lines. It’s well past time to turn the page on this.