Simpsons gay characters: Who is LGBT in The Simpsons?

The Simpsons' Mr Burns and gay Waylon Smithers

Hit TV show The Simpsons has been entertaining viewers since 1989, and throughout the years they have had several LGBT characters.

You may be surprised how many Simpsons gay characters have appeared throughout the 30 seasons so far, not to mention the video games and movie.

We have listed the various LGBT characters in The Simpsons, from those openly gay, lesbian and bi, to those who may be in the closet.

Openly gay Simpsons characters

These Simpsons characters are openly gay, as revealed in the TV show.

Waylon Smithers, Jr.

Smithers is the most obvious Simpsons gay character.

After 27 seasons, Smithers finally came out while singing a ballad about his unrequited love for Mr. Burns.

Gay Simpsons photo Smithers and Mr Burns kiss

The Simpsons gay character Smithers leaning in to kiss Mr. Burns. (Photo by 20th Century Fox)

He is now openly gay and Marge even calls him her “gay best friend.” But some people felt the storyline served the show more than the LGBT+ community.

Dewey Largo

Largo, Lisa’s music teacher, revealed himself as gay when he ran off with his soulmate – also called Dewey – a man he met at Moe’s Tavern.

John

John is a rather camp nostalgia store owner who befriends the Simpson family, going into their home and complimenting their interior design.

Roscoe

Roscoe is the gay manager of the Ajax Steel Mill. All of his employees are also gay, and during breaks, they transform the mill to a gay nightclub.

Grady, Julio and Thad

Much like in real life, The Simpsons has some romantic drama. Grady and Julio were originally introduced as a couple but in a later episode, Julio is married to Simpsons character Thad.

Of course, that’s not it. Soon after, Julio and Grady got back together.

Openly lesbian Simpsons characters

These Simpsons characters are openly lesbian.

Patty Bouvier

Marge’s sister Patty was previously closeted. She was on a float in the gay parade chanting “We’re gay! We’re glad! But don’t tell Mom and Dad!”

Lesbian Simpsons photo Patty and girlfriend

Lesbian Simpsons character Patty Bouvier and lover. (Photo by 20th Century Fox)

Patty came out to everyone, including her sister Marge, in Season 16 when she almost married Veronica.

Verity Heathbar

Verity left her husband Charles for lesbian character Patty Bouvier. They said they were brought together due to a mutual hatred for Homer Simpson.

Miss Viola

A lesbian Simpsons character who lives in a country house outside of Springfield with her wife, who was mistaken for her husband in one episode.

Is Lisa Simpson lesbian?

Many people have speculated with Lisa Simpson is a lesbian. In episodes and the movie, she shows a liking for boys, but people still think she may be yet to come out or even realise herself.

The Simpsons family

In one episode, it shows Lisa Simpson’s future. She had relationships with three girls (two overlapping), but she eventually goes on to marry Milhouse, suggesting she’s bisexual.

However, these relationships may not be the Simpsons’ reality, so perhaps the timeline is false.

Bisexual Simpsons characters

Other Simpsons characters are shown to be bisexual.

The Cool Moms

Excluding Marge, The Cool Moms are four mothers who are married with kids. These ladies kiss each other during their meetings whenever Marge is away.

Candace

Homer’s ex-girlfriend Candace hinted that she was bisexual when she told Homer that she’d dated more girls than he had.

Nigel

Nigel is a billionaire who went to school with Mr Burns, and he meets Smithers through him.

While unhappily married to a woman, Nigel kisses Smithers.

Transgender Simpsons characters

Not only are there gay, lesbian and bi representation, The Simpsons also has transgender characters.

Clara Hosenfrauen

This trans woman was formerly Roy Molloy.

Brunella Pommelhorst

A gym teacher at Springfield Elementary School, Brunella took a leave of absence to have gender reassignment surgery. She said that she would return as Mr Pommelhorst, the new shop teacher.

However, she was later seen in the show looking the same.

Stanlerina

Stanlerina is a trans woman and her cousin is Helen Lovejoy, who may also be an LGBT character—potentially trans herself, as well as bisexual.


Possible LGBT Simpsons characters

Lenny and Carl

Although it’s never been officially confirmed, numerous episodes have hinted that these two best friends are attracted to each other.

Sea Captain

In the mobile game The Simpsons: Tapped Out, the Sea Captain implied that he is homosexual.

He jests that Ned Flanders is homosexual due to his decorating tips, to which Flanders says he’s not.

In response, the Sea Captain says, “Neither am I, wink-wink. Now let’s get to decorating, Girlfriend.”

Todd Flanders and Rod Flanders

In an episode set in the future, the boys are gay and Bart knows but doesn’t out them, to Ned Flanders’ delight. This isn’t definite though due to the nature of the episode.

Santa’s Little Helper

Santa’s Little Helper could be portrayed as bisexual as he’s seen panting excitedly at the Springfield gay pride parade after a member of the Gay Dog Alliance winked at him.

In other episodes, it’s known that he mates with female dogs, She’s The Fastest and Rosa Barks.

Helen Lovejoy

In one episode, a visiting character called the Parson tells Helen’s husband Reverend Timothy Lovejoy that he “remember[s] when [Helen Lovejoy] was Helen Schwartzbaum. In fact, I remember when she was Harold Schwartzbaum.”

Helen also says, “Is that a woman’s voice I hear? Send her in,” when she was in the bedroom awaiting her husband.

Ralph Wiggum

In The Simpsons Movie, Bart Simpson is seen naked riding his skateboard. When he passes Ralph, the boy smiles and says “I like men now!” implying he could be gay or bi.