"Queer headcanoning is a popular and well loved way to connect with characters, but is it a good thing to do?" --Reeghan Walsh, 7th Grade
For decades, people have been creating their own headcanons about their favorite characters from their favorite fandoms. Sometimes, one may feel a connection to a certain character, and want to build on what the character already has. They do this by creating a headcanon.
Urban Dictionary states that a headcanon is, “To note a particular belief which has not been used in the universe of whatever program or story they follow, but seems to make sense to that particular individual.”
One of the many headcanons that people often use is creating a queer role for a character. Whether that be transgender, gay, bisexual, aromantic, asexual, or other identities. Merriam-Webster says, “Fan lore encourages us to read deeply and analyze even the smallest detail of every character, and sometimes make up what we don’t know, all as a way to celebrate our love for the characters with other fans.”
Sometimes, fandoms will come together and agree on a headcanon. Thus accepting a particular thing about a certain character as canon (confirmed by the creator of the media as true), even if it is just a broadly accepted headcanon. “With Harry Potter, a lot of the reasons I love it are all the headcanons accepted as canon,” said MJ Deleo, a 7th grade Visual Art student at Oakland School for the Arts.
Urban Dictionary states that a headcanon is, “To note a particular belief which has not been used in the universe of whatever program or story they follow, but seems to make sense to that particular individual.”
One of the many headcanons that people often use is creating a queer role for a character. Whether that be transgender, gay, bisexual, aromantic, asexual, or other identities. Merriam-Webster says, “Fan lore encourages us to read deeply and analyze even the smallest detail of every character, and sometimes make up what we don’t know, all as a way to celebrate our love for the characters with other fans.”
Sometimes, fandoms will come together and agree on a headcanon. Thus accepting a particular thing about a certain character as canon (confirmed by the creator of the media as true), even if it is just a broadly accepted headcanon. “With Harry Potter, a lot of the reasons I love it are all the headcanons accepted as canon,” said MJ Deleo, a 7th grade Visual Art student at Oakland School for the Arts.
One headcanon that is widely agreed on is the relationship between Sirius Black and Remus Lupin in Harry Potter. Nearly all fans have agreed that the two had romantic involvement in their youth, and even into adulthood. Many agree that this is a well-done queer relationship headcanon; they have fleshed out memories and chemistry. They’re not just two people thrown together to create a gay relationship.
However, a queer headcanon might not depend on the material of the headcanon, but the person who headcanons it. One could headcanon a character as transgender for different reasons. On one hand, this person could be headcanoning this because the character has hinted at gender dysphoria, or displays other subtle hints; but on the other hand, one may be headcanoning this character as transgender because they are either a masculine female or a feminine male.
However, a queer headcanon might not depend on the material of the headcanon, but the person who headcanons it. One could headcanon a character as transgender for different reasons. On one hand, this person could be headcanoning this because the character has hinted at gender dysphoria, or displays other subtle hints; but on the other hand, one may be headcanoning this character as transgender because they are either a masculine female or a feminine male.
There are obvious issues with this. For one, anyone can be as “feminine” or “masculine” as they desire. Gender is a spectrum, and the societal constructs of feminine and masculine are blurred more and more each day. But when a female character is strong and enjoys sports, that does not automatically mean she is transgender (whether that be male to female, or she decides to transition after the story ends, ie. female to male). This same problem can be used with a man that isn’t the strongest or enjoys wearing skirts and dresses. The Ethics of Headcanon, a blog post, goes more in-depth into transgender headcanoning, and how to do it ethically.
In Encanto, many people had a problem with the amount of queer headcanoning the fandom was doing. This type of excessive queer headcanoning led to harmful stereotypes being inflicted onto queer identities. A character that fell victim to harmful transgender stereotyping was Luisa. The middle child, and Mirabel’s older sister, was often headcanoned as transgender. While some people have had good reasons, it was most likely because she was strong, and had a muscular build.
Another example is Isabela, the oldest sister of Mirabel’s immediate family. People would headcanon Isabela as lesbian merely because she rejected Mariano, the man she was supposed to marry. Just because she isn’t interested in one man, doesn’t mean she is lesbian. While there is a possibility that she is, and if someone just feels connected to her and wants to headcanon that, that’s alright, but they should ask themselves, why am I headcanoning this character as queer? Could I do this with another character for a better reason?
Another problem with queer headcanoning is that it can take away from more important meanings. “The thing with Encanto, I think that a lot of people were having, was when everyone was headcanoning all the characters as queer,” Deleo suggested. “It takes away from the main message of the movie. If it’s about their heritage, you should focus on that main message of the story, rather than focusing on your headcanons for your own thing.”
Not only did these queer headcanons take away from the important message of the movie, but they also made being queer seem like it was necessary to the characters. While any type of headcanoning isn’t truly necessary, really pushing queer roles onto characters can become too much. While being queer can be an important part of their identity, it is not the only thing they think about. Fans headcanoning the Encanto characters as queer pretty much solely focused on their queerness, and had more disregard for other parts of their personalities.
But queer headcanoning is not all bad. When done correctly, queer headcanoning can allow for fans to have deeper connections to their favorite characters. “It makes me feel like I have some representation in movies,” Hana Geckeler, a 7th grader in Vocal Music at Oakland School for the Arts said.
Headcanoning can help fix plot holes and add more to the story. “I think the best parts of books are left unsaid,” Geckeler offered.
Fandoms can build stronger communities off of the headcanons they create. Queer headcanoning can enable queer fans to feel safer within their fandom, and be more open about themselves.
Headcanoning in general can make a fan experience more fun, whether it be queer or otherwise. There are more positives to headcanoning than there are negatives, and when done right, queer headcanoning can be a great way for a fan to express themself. However, until one is sure of how to ethically headcanon queer roles onto characters, it is probably best to steer clear of this type of headcanoning. But, if queer headcanoning helps you deal with your own emotions or queer identity, go for it! The main thing to remember when doing any kind of headcanoning is to be respectful and thoughtful of the characters, writers, and all members of the fandom.
Another example is Isabela, the oldest sister of Mirabel’s immediate family. People would headcanon Isabela as lesbian merely because she rejected Mariano, the man she was supposed to marry. Just because she isn’t interested in one man, doesn’t mean she is lesbian. While there is a possibility that she is, and if someone just feels connected to her and wants to headcanon that, that’s alright, but they should ask themselves, why am I headcanoning this character as queer? Could I do this with another character for a better reason?
Another problem with queer headcanoning is that it can take away from more important meanings. “The thing with Encanto, I think that a lot of people were having, was when everyone was headcanoning all the characters as queer,” Deleo suggested. “It takes away from the main message of the movie. If it’s about their heritage, you should focus on that main message of the story, rather than focusing on your headcanons for your own thing.”
Not only did these queer headcanons take away from the important message of the movie, but they also made being queer seem like it was necessary to the characters. While any type of headcanoning isn’t truly necessary, really pushing queer roles onto characters can become too much. While being queer can be an important part of their identity, it is not the only thing they think about. Fans headcanoning the Encanto characters as queer pretty much solely focused on their queerness, and had more disregard for other parts of their personalities.
But queer headcanoning is not all bad. When done correctly, queer headcanoning can allow for fans to have deeper connections to their favorite characters. “It makes me feel like I have some representation in movies,” Hana Geckeler, a 7th grader in Vocal Music at Oakland School for the Arts said.
Headcanoning can help fix plot holes and add more to the story. “I think the best parts of books are left unsaid,” Geckeler offered.
Fandoms can build stronger communities off of the headcanons they create. Queer headcanoning can enable queer fans to feel safer within their fandom, and be more open about themselves.
Headcanoning in general can make a fan experience more fun, whether it be queer or otherwise. There are more positives to headcanoning than there are negatives, and when done right, queer headcanoning can be a great way for a fan to express themself. However, until one is sure of how to ethically headcanon queer roles onto characters, it is probably best to steer clear of this type of headcanoning. But, if queer headcanoning helps you deal with your own emotions or queer identity, go for it! The main thing to remember when doing any kind of headcanoning is to be respectful and thoughtful of the characters, writers, and all members of the fandom.
