‘Lou Baby’: The Children’s Cartoon for Trans Youth Visibility
Lou Baby is an independent animator and pop singer who created a self-titled children’s cartoon starring a trans child modelled after herself and based on her journey with transness. With a pastel aesthetic and cute stubby limbs, Lou Baby could easily be mistaken as a product of any major children’s film and television production house.
The musical cartoon series was aimed at increasing the representation and visibility of trans youth, a demographic within an already marginalized identity that feels the brunt of being dismissed and stigmatized. This is bolstered by the fact that a national survey by the Trevor Project found that 71 percent of trans and non-binary youth have experienced discrimination based on their gender identity. This is why Lou Baby is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Gender Equality.
Inclusive representation in children’s media has been the subject of much public scrutiny in recent years. One example is the racist backlash Disney faced when they decided that their live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid would feature a Black woman lead. Critics quickly pointed out that the film should have stayed true to its Danish roots and cast a white woman to lead. However, the entertainment behemoth responded that The Little Mermaid is a work of fiction with no specific racial denominators, leaving it open to contemporary interpretation.
Despite questions around visual interpretations, inclusive representation in children’s media remains imperative, as it helps people from both the represented marginalized groups and those outside of it. For the children represented, stories can help them build better self-image, validate their experiences and give them a better sense of belonging in their immediate surroundings. For children who do not identify with the represented groups, the media helps them develop empathy and challenge any bigotry they may encounter in their daily lives.
The fact that Lou Baby is a character based on the first-hand experiences of a trans creator means that she will be able to convey a representation of trans youth with authenticity. The American LGBTQ+ education non-profit, GLSEN, found that while trans representation in media has improved worldwide in terms of numbers, authentic trans characters that do not perpetuate stereotypes are still hard to come by. Further, the organization has also found that in Hollywood itself, the number of trans characters depicted in media is actually in decline. Hence, it is important to have initiatives such as Lou Baby.
Lou Baby is more than just a charming children’s cartoon—it is a bold step toward increasing the visibility and representation of trans youth in the media. The series offers a genuine narrative inspired by the creator's experiences, empowering trans children and fostering empathy among their peers. Lou Baby is an antidote to the scarcity of genuine trans representation in popular media. Its inclusive storytelling emphasizes the vital role of diverse media in shaping a more empathetic and equitable world.
Find out more about Lou Baby and other initiatives by Lou Baby on her Instagram @loubabyland or YouTube @loubabyland.