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'{{Infobox character | colour = pink | name = Stevonnie | series = [[Steven Universe]] | image = Stevonnie page image.png | caption = | first = "Alone Together" (2015) | last = | creator = [[Rebecca Sugar]] | voice = [[Amanda Joy Michalka]] | gender = [[tumblr-faggot]] | nationality = }} '''Stevonnie''' ({{IPAc-en|s|t|ᵻ|ˈ|v|ɒ|n|i}} {{Respell|stə|VON|ee}}) is a fictional character from the 2013 [[animated series]] ''[[Steven Universe]]'', created by [[Rebecca Sugar]]. A "fusion" of the protagonist [[Steven Universe (character)|Steven Universe]] and his friend [[Connie Maheswaran]], Stevonnie is portrayed as an [[androgynous]] teenager, attractive to both men and women. First introduced in episode "Alone Together", Stevonnie only appears occasionally in the series. ==Character== One of the core concepts in ''Steven Universe'' is a process referred to as "fusion", in which two characters fuck and merge into a disgusting being who is physically larger and stronger. Though fusion is considered a sensitive and important action for two characters, it is described as "overtly sexual sexual in nature."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fusion.net/story/252111/cartoon-network-steven-universe-queer/|website=''[[Fusion.net]]''|title=Cartoon Network UK is editing out the queer magic of 'Steven Universe'|last=Pulliam-Moore|first=Charles|date=2016-01-06}}</ref> The episode "Alone Together" focuses on protagonist Steven's first experience with fornication while "dancing" with his friend Connie. The two characters explicitly are male and female while separated, but the Stevonnie is presented as some form of hermaphrodite.<ref name=Towleroad>{{cite web|url=http://www.towleroad.com/2015/05/steven-universe-creator-rebecca-sugar-opens-up-about-creating-stevonnie/|website=[[Towleroad.com]]|title='Steven Universe' Creator Opens Up About Creating Gender-Fused Character, Stevonnie|last=Pulliam-Moore|first=Charles|date=2015-03-20}}</ref> Regardless, Stevonnie is usually considered a unique character, as is the case with other fusions in the show.<ref name=Pink>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/07/17/comment-lots-of-childrens-programmes-already-have-lgbt-characters/|publisher=''[[Pink News]]''|title=Comment: Lots of children’s programmes already have LGBT characters|last=Payton|first=Naith|date=2015-07-17}}</ref> [[File:Amanda Joy (AJ) Michalka - September 2007.jpg|thumb|left|Stevonnie is voiced by actress and musician [[AJ Michalka]].]] (((Rebecca Sugar))), the creator of ''Steven Universe'', referred to an inquiry on Stevonnie's gender—whether Stevonnie is [[agender]], [[bigender]], or something else—by stating that "Stevonnie is an experience! The living relationship between Steven and Connie." Sugar described Stevonnie as a complex and specific metaphor, that becomes relatable as it takes shape in the form of a unique character. Besides challenging [[gender norms]], Stevonnie serves as a metaphor for "terrifying firsts in a first relationship," the feeling of hitting [[puberty]], and [[objectification]].<ref name=Towleroad /><ref name=io9>{{cite web|url=http://io9.gizmodo.com/steven-universe-guidebook-spills-the-secrets-of-the-cry-1704470546|publisher=''[[io9]]''|title=''Steven Universe Guidebook'' Spills The Secrets Of The Crystal Gems|last=Woerner|first=Meredith|date=2015-05-14}}</ref> In a March 2017 [[Steven Universe comics|comic]] (written by [[Melanie Gillman]] and drawn by Katy Farina and Whitney Cogar), Stevonnie goes with supporting character Kiki Pizza to her [[school prom]]. Similar to what happened in "Alone Together", Stevonnie found themselves having an [[anxiety attack]] during the dance, followed by Steven and Connie discussing whether they are lying to Kiki about their identity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicsalliance.com/stevonnie-steven-universe/|work=[[Comics Alliance]]|title=Good Thing: Learning With Stevonnie In The ‘Steven Universe’ Comic|last=Schenkel|first=Katie|date=2017-03-24}}</ref> Stevonnie is commonly referred to using [[gender neutral pronouns]] (such as the [[Singular they|singular ''they'']]), and both male and female characters seem to be [[Physical attractiveness|physically attracted]] to Stevonnie.<ref name=Pink /><ref name=Metro>{{cite web|url=http://www.metro.us/entertainment/four-cartoons-that-are-leading-the-way-in-lgbt-visibility/zsJogi---ekjB9tKntGMWg/|publisher=''[[Metro New York]]''|title=Four cartoons that are leading the way in LGBT visibility|last=Ewart|first=Asia|date=2015-06-10}}</ref> ==Impact== Meredith Woerner of ''[[io9]]'' described Stevonnie as a "big game changer character" for ''Steven Universe'', who got a strong reaction from fans of the series.<ref name=io9 /> Writing for ''[[Towleroad.com]]'', Charles Pulliam-Moore stated that Stevonnie deepened the way that watchers understood some of ''Steven Universe''{{'}}s core characters.<ref name=Towleroad /> ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' editor Carli Velocci commented that Stevonnie is a positive metaphor for [[consent]], in an entirely non-sexual context.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/14/8961119/what-a-childrens-show-can-teach-us-about-sex-and-healthy-relationships|publisher=''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|title=What a children's show can teach us about sex and healthy relationships|last=Velocci|first=Carli|date=2015-07-14}}</ref> Vrai Kaiser of ''[[The Mary Sue]]'' said of the character that "there are few things more refreshing than seeing children's media acknowledge that feeling negative emotions is a part of life. Taking a tack not dissimilar to ''[[Inside Out (2015 film)|Inside Out]]'', the show uses visual metaphor to deal with complex, intangible emotions."<ref>http://www.themarysue.com/steven-universe-recap-mindful-education/</ref> Animated series airing on television networks [[Cartoon Network]] and [[Nickelodeon]] have shown a greater amount of [[LGBT]] visibility since 2010, with shows such as ''[[The Legend of Korra]]'' and ''[[Adventure Time]]'' including [[same-sex relationships]]. ''Steven Universe'' has a significant amount of LGBT representation as well, featuring multiple feminine characters that show romantic attraction directed to each other. As a [[genderqueer]] character, Stevonnie follows this same movement, and has encouraged people to be more open about their gender.<ref name=Metro /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autostraddle.com/steven-universe-and-the-importance-of-all-ages-queer-representation-281482/|publisher=''[[Autostraddle]]''|title="Steven Universe" and the Importance of All-Ages Queer Representation|author=Mey|date=2015-03-13}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== *{{IMDb character|0507466|Steven Universe}} {{Steven Universe}} [[Category:Fictional characters introduced in 2015]] [[Category:Fictional androgynes]] [[Category:Fictional duos]] [[Category:LGBT characters in animation]] [[Category:Steven Universe]]'