Here's Why Fans Of SpongeBob SquarePants Think He Is Gay After Nickelodeon's Pride Month Post

In celebration of Pride Month, Nickelodeon recently tweeted photos of characters known to belong with the LGBTQ+ community. However, the inclusion of one particular cartoon character in the post left fans shocked ⁠— SpongeBob SquarePants.

SpongeBob is known for his positive outlook and cheerful personality, making him one of the most beloved characters in the channel. However, Nickelodeon may have recently dropped a major bomb about everyone’s favorite yellow sponge, the New York Post reported.

“Celebrating #Pride with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies this month and every month,” Nickelodeon wrote in a post with photos of “Henry Danger” transgender star Michael D. Cohen and Korra, a bisexual, from “The Legend of Korra.”

SpongeBob’s photo in rainbow-themed art joined those of the two characters, leaving fans wondering if this was Nickelodeon’s confirmation that the nautical creature was gay. Many supporters had long been suspecting that the lovable and porous creature is not really straight. Some of the viewers cited as evidence the 2002 episode titled “Rock-a-Bye Bivalve,” where he and Patrick become parents to a scallop.

Despite the surprising revelation, fans were in a celebratory mood for the just out character. It didn’t take too long before supporters of SpongeBob and Nickelodeon expressed their joy and excitement on social media.

“Announcing Spongebob being gay then turning comments off cause it ain’t no debate. Nickelodeon SNAPPED,” @Drebae wrote, alluding to the official account’s move to turn off the comments section on its original post.

“Oh, queer icon Spongebob Squarepants? Yes, we stan!!!!!” @Kalhan said.

There have been long-running rumors that SpongeBob is gay. It came to a point that fan art has him partnered with his grumpy neighbor, Squidward Tentacles. But in 2005, its creator, Stephen Hillenburg, shot down claims that his character is gay, although he claimed that SpongeBob is still a member of the LGBTQ+ community for being asexual.

“We never intended them to be gay. I consider them to be almost asexual. We’re just trying to be funny and this has got nothing to do with the show,” Hillenburg said, People reported.

At the time, Hillenburg, who died in 2018 due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), was responding to Christian activists’ claims that SpongeBob and Patrick were fostering a homosexual lifestyle.