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'{{Infobox character | colour = | name = Stevonnie | series = [[Steven Universe]] | image =http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/steven-universe/images/e/eb/Stevonnie_day.png/revision/latest?cb=20151213155017 | caption = | first = "Alone Together" (2015) | last = | creator = [[Rebecca Sugar]] | voice = [[Amanda Joy Michalka]] | gender = [[Non-binary]] | nationality = American }}<ref /> '''Stevonnie''' ({{IPAc-en|s|t|ə|'|v|ɒ|n|iː}} {{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 the episode "Alone Together", Stevonnie does not appear frequently in the series. ==Character== One of the core concepts in ''Steven Universe'' is a process referred to as "fusion", in which two characters dance with one another in order to merge into one being that is physically larger and stronger. Though fusion is considered a sensitive and important action for two characters, it is described as "distinctly non-sexual."<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 fusion while dancing with his friend Connie. The two characters explicitly identify as male and female while separated, but the gender of Stevonnie is difficult to describe.<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> 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.com|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.com|Polygon]]|title=What a children's show can teach us about sex and healthy relationships|last=Velocci|first=Carli|date=2015-07-14}}</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.<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}} {{Steven Universe}} [[Category:Fictional characters introduced in 2015]] [[Category:Fictional androgynes]] [[Category:Fictional duos]] [[Category:LGBT characters in animation]] [[Category:Steven Universe]]'