The Rainbow Project, a non-profit organisation launched in 2024, made it its mission to put together an archive focused on documenting LGBTQ+ representation in children’s film and TV. The archive features audio and video content, as well as accounts from creators and producers detailing their journey to produce their queer media. 

The archive hopes to serve as “a guiding resource for any LGBTQ+ storyteller fighting to get their stories made, offering both practical insight and a sense of solidarity”. 

It currently features submissions from creators such as Shea Fontana, showrunner for Monster High, and writer Lindz Amer, who worked on Strawberry Shortcake and wrote the first non-binary character in Paw Patrol. Producer Scott Kreamer is also featured in the archive, having worked on Jurassic World: Chaos Theory. 

In a statement shared with Variety, Kristi Reed, co-founder of The Rainbow Project, emphasised that “our mission is to safeguard visibility, belonging, and truth in the stories that shape kids’ lives. No child should ever have their story erased.”

They note that, “since the beginning of [last] year with this current [US] administration, we have witnessed a pullback on queer stories and characters on television and streaming services”. They state that, “rather than retreat, we need to push forward and remind the industry not to be scared of great LGBTQ+ storytelling”. The new archive, coupled with the organisation’s other initiatives, is a way of celebrating this queer storytelling. 

The Rainbow Project advocacy organisation began in 2024 with its first project, the annual Velma Awards, which celebrate positive LGBTQ+ representation in children’s film and TV. Programmes like Hearstopper, Steven Universe, and Primos were awarded in the 2024 inaugural awards. 

Their media archive comes as GLAAD recently released its Where We Are On TV report, noting an increase in LGBTQ+ representation on screen from last year, but still far below the record for 2021-2022. The report also marked that “Over 200 (41%) LGBTQ+ characters counted this year will not be returning due to series cancellations, endings, or limited series format”. 

With these disheartening figures, archives like The Rainbow Project remain crucial platforms in preserving and uplifting queer storytelling, as well as a way of advocating for further representation on screen, particularly when it comes to LGBTQ+ children’s film and TV. 

For some examples of animated queer stories, check out our list of recommendations.