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Here's What We Know About Indya Moore's Nonbinary "Steven Universe" Character

Category is: Cartoon Network realness!

Pose breakout star Indya Moore has got the range.

Earlier this week, the nonbinary model, actor, and activist's latest gig was confirmed: Moore is voicing Shep, an ostensibly nonbinary character, on Cartoon Network's hit series Steven Universe. We say "ostensibly" because Cartoon Network has yet to confirm Shep's gender identity, although other characters refer to Shep with gender-neutral pronouns and terms. (Spoiler alert: Shep is introduced in a recent episode of Steven Universe: Future as the partner of Sadie, a character fans of the franchise know well.)

Moore's Steven Universe debut, first reported by Out, marks one of many times the Emmy- and GLAAD Media Award-winning franchise has spotlighted LGBTQ characters and storylines.

The kid-friendly show was created by nonbinary artist and animator Rebecca Sugar in 2013. Since then, it's gone on to feature queer characters galore—including Ruby and Sapphire, a lesbian couple who got engaged in a groundbreaking proposal scene from a 2018 episode of Steven Universe's The Heart of the Crystal Gems story arc.

Over the years, Sugar has enlisted LGBTQ talent to voice Steven Universe characters, too, including RuPaul's Drag Race alum Jinkx Monsoon, who voiced Emerald, a villain, in a 2018 arc of the series.

Steven Universe isn't the only animated children's series to prioritize queer inclusion. Last year, nonbinary author and activist Jacob Tobia made their voice-acting debut as Double Trouble, a nonbinary character from Season 2 of Netflix’s She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.

Congrats to Moore! We can't wait to see what's in store for Moore, and Shep, in 2020.

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