Bow (Marcus Scribner) is one of the main characters in the popular animated series,She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, and some fans have adopted their own theories on his true identity. An adaptation of the 1985 TV showShe-Ra: Princess of Power,She-Ra and the Princesses of Powerfollows Adora, an orphan who discovers a magical sword that transforms her into the legendary hero, “She-Ra”. The original show was a female-focused response to theHe-Manseries;the new show explores feminist and LGBTQ+ themes and characters.
She-Ra Showrunner’s Statement On The “Is Bow Trans?” Fan Theory
ND Steveson Appreciates The Theory But Says It Isn’t Canon
There isa popular fan theory floating around that suggests Bow may be a trans character. It would make him only the second canonically trans character, after Jewelstar, a trans man and the oldest of the Star Sisters. The theory stems from Bow occasionally displaying feminine-coded traits, though on the flip side, Bow could be a cis male who is unconcerned with traditional rules and views on masculinity. Showrunner Nate “ND” Stevenson has expressed delight at the fan theory (viaDigital Spy),
“It’s a fan theory that I’m very, very fond of. I think that if anyone – especially trans people – can see themselves in Bow, it’s incredible. And I’m very, very happy to be able to bring a masculine character who redefines masculinity in just a very positive, aspirational way.”
However, he is quick to confirm that Bow is not trans, saying,
“I will say, it is something I’m a little hesitant to canonise, because, honestly, I would have cast a trans actor if that was something I wanted to [do].”
Stevenson is very deliberate with representation inShe-Raand seems to take great care in making sure the entire spectrum of gender and sexuality is appropriately represented. Allowing fan theories to begin dictating the show could lead to some unwieldy, and possibly harmful, depictions.
Nate Stevenson Claps Back At The “She-Ra Is Too Queer” Criticism
Stevenson Says There Is Plenty Of Room For Queer Characters On TV
As a show leading the charge for LGBTQ+ representation,She-Rahas naturally seen backlash from a certain section of the internet. Anonymous internet users have often hurled insults and criticisms at the show for being “too queer,” but Stevenson has taken these barbs in stride (viaDigital Spy),
“Cartoon characters have a long history of crushes, first loves, or a matching partner who looks just like them (but with a bow), but if you have two queer characters blush or hold hands or kiss it’s somehow inappropriate. It doesn’t make any sense and it doesn’t hold up.”
He goes on to explain that queer relationships in children’s shows are important to depict,
“Give young queer kids hope and inspiration that maybe their lives could turn out okay, that there’s a future for them as bright as everyone else’s. It helps kids who aren’t queer develop empathy and understanding for people who might not be exactly like them. It’s more than just normalising, it’s an attempt to create a better world.”
For many commenters who post the criticism thatShe-Rais “too queer”, any bit of LGBTQ+ representation would probably be defined as “too queer”. For those who think they are making a real point about the show’s priorities, they should probably watch the show more attentively (if they watch it at all).She-Rais not constantly smacking its audience over the head with LGBTQ+ themes. It’s an award-winning story with characters who just so happen to be queer. If that’s a problem for someone, then their issues are likely to go deeper thanShe-Rabeing “too queer”.
Stevenson’s Harry Potter Comments Explained
J.K. Rowling Has Frequently Made Later Additions To Harry Potter
Another reason Stevenson does not want to retcon Bow into being a trans character is that he doesn’t want to pull a “J.K. Rowling”,
“If I wanted that character to be very canonically trans, I think that would have been a really cool thing to do. It’s just something I want to be a little cautious around, because I don’t want to be adding to things after the fact – you know, pulling a JK Rowling, essentially.”
Stevenson is referring toJ.K. Rowling’s frequent adding and retconningof events in theHarry Potteruniverse over the years, such as announcing that Dumbledore is gay years after the stories ended or that Crookshanks is a half-magic cat.Rowling has often found herself at the center of a cultural firestorm because of her comments on the LGBTQ+ community, particularly the trans community. Characters like Bow and series likeShe-Raare opportunities to show the correct way to depict queer characters in media.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Cast
She-Ra and the Princess of Power is an animated fantasy series created for Netflix, which follows the adventures of princess Adora, who battles an evil army trying to consume the world. Adora is a young teen who has the power to transform into a legendary warrior known as She-ra and stands against the evil Hordak, who seeks to control the entirety of Etheria. The show also shares the spotlight with Catra, a girl who establishes herself as a high-ranking official in Hordak’s army and tries to contrast their war against the rebellion’s efforts.
