Discussing connoted viability in a series that is praised for LGBTQ+ representation
Raine Whispers from voice actor Avi Roque's Twitter (@ok_roque)
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The Owl House is an animated series about a quirky but socially-isolated human girl (Luz Noceda, voiced by Sarah-Nicole Robles) who accidentally ends up in the Demon Realm, a fantasy land populated by witches and demons, and ruled by the mysterious Emperor Belos. The show follows Luz as she embraces her dream of living in a fantasy land and being looked after by the rebellious Eda “The Owl Lady” Clawthorne (Wendie Malick) and the confident and adorable King (Alex Hirsch) in the titular Owl House. The show, and its creator Dana Terrace, has been praised for its representation of LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent identities.
One such representation is the non-binary character Raine Whispers (voiced by Avi Roque, and Blu del Barrio (the latter voices the young version in flashbacks)). They are the first non-binary character portrayed in a Disney product. Raine features in a supporting role in nine episodes from their introduction in the episode “Eda’s Requiem” (S2:E7) to the most recent episode “For the Future” (S3:E2). In the show, they are the head witch of the bard coven, overlooked by the antagonist Emperor Belos, and are part of rebel groups against the emperor’s plans. They are also the ex of one of the main characters, Eda Clawthorne. Portrayed as an independent, cunning, and determined person, Raine is a complex and interesting character who is not defined by their identity. But is this lack of definition a positive or a negative for the wider representation?
Overall, the show has excelled in its representation of LGBTQIA+ characters. The creator, Dana Terrace, has pushed the boundaries of what Disney deems acceptable, especially considering the company’s stance on supporting the 2022 “Don’t Say Gay” bill which banned discussing LGBT identities to children in schools in Florida. Most notably in The Owl House, the main character, 14-year-old Luz Noceda, comes out as bisexual and starts a lesbian relationship with another main character, including an on-screen kiss.
The non-binary representation has been somewhat positive. Raine is voiced by two non-binary actors, Avi Roque, and Blu del Barrio, giving credibility and support to such actors. The show does not stereotype the character in any way, with Raine being treated like any other supporting character and with all other characters using the preferred they/them pronouns. Their inclusion also does not feel forced, as the cast is already diverse in LGBTQIA+ characters but does not strive for every identity to be portrayed.
However, the show does not address Raine’s identity in the series, which leaves the representation feeling flattened. When they are introduced, all characters are shown to automatically use they/them pronouns, but the reason why these pronouns are used, nor the term “non-binary” is ever mentioned. Raine as a character is, therefore, not affected by their identity, which creates an idyllic representation implying that there are no struggles to identifying this way. This leaves this identity aspect to be featured only in promotional media such as interviews and articles discussing the character’s inclusion. Despite this allowing the character to be seen as normal, in the context of the show itself, this does negate from the awareness.
Of course, the show is aimed at kids, set in a fantasy setting, and does not focus on Raine as a main character, all reasons to suggest that a simplified and instantly accepting depiction is to be expected. In fact, in terms of its portrayal of other LGBTQIA+ characters, they are also idyllic. For example, Luz being bisexual does not create backlash from her friends or family, and this is a positive as it shows kids that this is normal and not something that should be shamed. But the difference is that the bisexual aspects are named and shown, Raine being non-binary is not. Aside from an ambiguous appearance and the use of they/them pronouns, it can become very easy to just assume the character is a boy or a girl. This is similar to the other non-binary character in the show, Masha (voiced by Grey DeLisle), who appears in the episode “Thanks to Them” (S3:E1). Aside from having “they/them” on a name badge and the non-binary flag colours on their fingernails, the show does not address this further. This means in both cases it’s unlikely the target audience will understand or research these small details and instead fit the character into pre-existing views.
In conclusion, The Owl House should be praised for its representation and being a thoroughly enjoyable show for many ages, and the inclusion of a non-binary character in an important role is an excellent step. Undoubtedly, featuring the character and discussing the identity in interviews is a difficult step given Disney’s rules, and the inclusion has made more people informed on non-binary as an identity, similar to other LGBTQ+ or neurodivergent issues. However, for Raine and their identity, this inclusion is nothing more than just one step, and just a scene briefly describing why Raine Whispers has those pronouns and mentioning the word “non-binary” could have made this an excellent portrayal as it would further spark discussion and research with a clear idea, whilst maintaining the fact that Raine is still a normal person who is not purely defined by their identity. Unfortunately, there is not even a whisper, it is just silence.
Rating
· Avoiding Stereotypes – 1 Star
· Avoiding Tokenism – 1 Star
· Avoiding Queerbaiting – ½ star
· Too Idealistic or Too Cynical – 0 stars
· External Effects – ½ star
Overall: 3 Stars
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