Is anyone else glad that there's little to no romance/shipping in the TMNT franchise? - Page 4

Loudo · 02-06-2013, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

I remember Greg Weisman wanted Lexington to be gay in Gargoyles. Makes no sense as previous episodes showed him drooling over female Gargoyles.

I guess you're not familiar with bisexuality.

*CyberCubed* · 02-06-2013, 05:01 PM

I usually dislike it when writers take a straight character in a show or story (who has had relationships in the show) and then have them gay as the show progresses.

A good example would be Willow on Buffy the vampire slayer. Her becoming a lesbian just kinda went flat. Not to mention her love interest Tara is killed and replaced with a really terrible character.

Type 97 Chi-ha · 02-06-2013, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loudo

Why shouldn't there be a gay turtle? I can understand if you tell me "I don't care about the romance, I just want to watch the Turtles fight". But if a turtle can be straight, he can be gay.
And why should having a gay turtle make the others feel uncomfortable? Let me rephrase that. Why do you think that is a legitimate response? If some of the turtles feel uncomfortable having a gay brother, that's their problem to overcome (and it could potentially make an interesting story to tell).
And, you know, you don't have to fit a gay stereotype to be gay. Raphael can be gay without changing one bit of his personality or musical tastes.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying there should be a gay turtle, but there is no reason why there shouldn't be one. Especially in the continuities where the turtles show some form of sexuality.
If Archie Raph can have a girlfriend and Nick Don be a creepy stalker, then I don't see why we can't have a Archie/Nick gay turtle.

If we want to get facetious, why couldn't there be a soft-shelled Turtle in the group? Seriously, the only motive I could think of for having any of the characters being gay would be pandering. "Look, we've got a token homosexual!" Yes, there was Franklin in the Peanuts comic strip, but he was never anything other than a token African-American. The TMNT series never struck me as being about romance, and if it were it would make some sense.

*pannoni1* · 02-06-2013, 06:07 PM

TMNT is an action/adventure franchise with a side of comedy, in which any romance can be played out. But romance is the deepest way to build characters since it clearly expresses their caring toward others, and is why so many characters have such rabid fanbases. Romance works best when developed over seasons, not episodes since unlike action which requires quick thoughts, romance is a process that needs time to develop. That's why the April/Casey relationship worked so beautifully in the 4kids series, through gradual meeting and development. Michelangelo/Kala, Leonardo/Lotus, and Raphael/Mona Lisa all seemed radiant in terms of building a relationship it was just that there was never a chance to build them due to the demands of other adventures since there's always a case that needs to be solved.

*Coola Yagami* · 02-06-2013, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pannoni1

TMNT is an action/adventure franchise with a side of comedy, in which any romance can be played out. But romance is the deepest way to build characters since it clearly expresses their caring toward others, and is why so many characters have such rabid fanbases. Romance works best when developed over seasons, not episodes since unlike action which requires quick thoughts, romance is a process that needs time to develop. That's why the April/Casey relationship worked so beautifully in the 4kids series, through gradual meeting and development. Michelangelo/Kala, Leonardo/Lotus, and Raphael/Mona Lisa all seemed radiant in terms of building a relationship it was just that there was never a chance to build them due to the demands of other adventures since there's always a case that needs to be solved.

Also due to status quo. Raph and Ninjara had their relationship develop because she actually got toe move in and become a '5th Turtle' so to speak for over 10 or so issues, but if it was a cartoon, Ninjara would be a guest character and their romance wouldn't be shown as much.

April and Casey had romance since they weren't the main characters, whatever they do is plot B or even C to the main focus on the Turtles kicking ass and taking names.

and also.... LOL @ at people not understanding that boys and girls are different as kids are having confusing times as they grow up to identify themselves due to peer pressure and society. They must have forgotten their own childhood. Since day one the outside world around you tells you as a boy you gotta be tough, manly etc, and as a girl you have to pretty, girly etc. But what if you're a wimpy guy? Or a tomboy girl built like a brick house? They have no control of how they were born and are ridiculed by their peers for being different. Yes, you can ask 'well why can't a boy watch a girl show if it's well written?' I doubt that boy can use the 'well-written' excuse when society mocks him for watching such a show. Likewise for girls calling said girl 'weird' or whatever cause she chooses to watch Gi Joe over Jem. We forget, as adults or teenagers, we have the right to watch whatever the hell we want and not a damn what anybody says or thinks of us. As children though, the outside world, peer pressure and society as a whole, has a huge impact on how we're supposed to think and act.

IcyKali · 02-06-2013, 08:55 PM

My two cents: plenty of boys secretly watched shows like the Powerpuff Girls regardless (fun fact: I'm a big PPG fan! It was originally made for an older audience). It's not that children can't sympathize with characters that are the opposite sex from them, it's just that culture gives them confusing signals, and producers (and peers, and parents, etc.) might not understand what's really important when thinking of a target audience. Remember that there are plenty of bogus psychological studies out there.

As far as I can tell (note: I haven't read the comics, so keep that in mind), none of the turtles have been "confirmed" straight. They've had a few crushes, but I don't think any of them are explicitly can't be attracted to the same sex. Even if they have been, things like that are fluid--if somebody who thought they were a vegan accidentally eats some meat and likes it, what does that make them (not a perfect example, but still)? There's some food for thought (no pun intended). If you're writing a fanfiction or something, you can do whatever you want with that. It could make an interesting story, although because of the whole "mutants" thing they've had plenty of stories about acceptance already.

As for shipping... I think plenty of people here ship, they just don't mention it much because they don't get the sense that people here are focused on that kind of thing. I ship, but I don't share because I'm sure members here wouldn't care for it.

*CyberCubed* · 02-06-2013, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IcyKali

As far as I can tell (note: I haven't read the comics, so keep that in mind), none of the turtles have been "confirmed" straight. They've had a few crushes, but I don't think any of them are explicitly can't be attracted to the same sex. Even if they have been, things like that are fluid--if somebody who thought they were a vegan accidentally eats some meat and likes it, what does that make them (not a perfect example, but still)?

These are all of the turtles crushes off the top of my head:

Leonardo: Lotus Blossom (OT), Karai, (4kids and Nick), Radical (Mirage)

Raphael: Mona Lisa (OT), Ninjara (Archie), 4kids (maybe Joy?)

Michaelangelo: Kala the Neutrino and Buffy Shellhammer (OT), Sara from Savage Dragon (Image), the Regenta (Mirage). April (Movies 1 and 2)

Donatello: Alien chick (Mirage and 4kids), April (Nick).

There's no reason to think otherwise when they've never been portrayed as such.

*Coola Yagami* · 02-06-2013, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

These are all of the turtles crushes off the top of my head:

Leonardo: Lotus Blossom (OT), Karai, (4kids and Nick), Radical (Mirage)

Raphael: Mona Lisa (OT), Ninjara (Archie), 4kids (maybe Joy?)

Michaelangelo: Kala the Neutrino and Buffy Shellhammer (OT), Sara from Savage Dragon (Image), the Regenta (Mirage). April (Movies 1 and 2)

Donatello: Alien chick (Mirage and 4kids), April (Nick).

There's no reason to think otherwise when they've never been portrayed as such.

Kiiiinda consider Leo/Radical and Mike/Regenta as more than just crushes since they got to do the nasty. I think it was implied that future Raph was sleeping with another foxchick, most likely to try to make up for losing Ninjara during his youth.

Pterobat · 02-06-2013, 09:15 PM

Honestly, nobody's saying there aren't social pressures for boys to watch only "boy's" things. I'm just saying that this can't be used to justify (not just explain) the lack of female characters in the TMNT franchise.

People say it's okay for a girl to watch boy's things, but not for a boy to watch girl's things, and likewise, that girls can identify with male characters, but boys can't identify with female characters. That is messed up.

It's also messed up to suggest one of the Turtles being gay would lead to Turtlecest, because, yeah--no.

Type 97 Chi-ha · 02-06-2013, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pterobat

It's also messed up to suggest one of the Turtles being gay would lead to Turtlecest, because, yeah--no.

Then where would a gay Turtle go for gratification? I don't think most gay humans would want to do the nasty with a Turtle.

Vegeta · 02-06-2013, 10:55 PM

All I see are pictures of donatello and april together, in love, or having sex on tumblr. So.....I guess there is plenty o' shipping.

*CyberCubed* · 02-06-2013, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegeta

All I see are pictures of donatello and april together, in love, or having sex on tumblr. So.....I guess there is plenty o' shipping.

I'm almost scared to ask this, but where are you seeing this stuff?

When I view TMNT things on tumblr I just see people making animated gifs of funny scenes from the episodes.

Shredded · 02-06-2013, 11:59 PM

I think the fear of turtle-cest comes from all the fan-work that genuinely pairs the turtle up with each other all the time.

It's out there, we all know it's out there. Is it messed up? sure it is! Why does it happen?

I guess the thing is that these turtles are sort of unique as an action team in that sense that, they are not just comrades in war, they are family, and they all love each other. Genuinly love each other behind all the rivalry, fights and other problems.

What people seem to miss though, is that they love each other as close family and brothers.. because they are close family and brothers!

For some reason, some people out there have difficultly handle any relationship where two characters genuinly love each other without being sexually attracted to each other.

Question should be obvious. why? why can't two persons love each other as close brothers without being sexually obligated?
Leave Frodo and Sam alone wont you, they have it very hard as it is.. And kirk and Spock.. and rainbow dash and applejack.. and raphael and Leonardo.. and Bilbo and Thorin oakenshield.. and Merry and Pippin.. and Sherlock Holmes and Watson <-oldest shipping couple ever right there.

What all these characters have in common I just mentioned is that.

Yes! they do love each other! Kirk and Spock clearly loves each other, Holmes and Watson clearly loves each other in most incarnation. Frodo and Sam loves each other, the turtles all loves each other, there is no shame in that.

How-ever, at no point in their entire own franchise has any-one of these expressed any sexual desire in each other.
They have expressed desire for emotional support, mere company from the other part, and expressed deep sadness when the other one is hurt, forming a deep love connection that easily could have been romantic, but isn't.

Does this mean any of these characters in a weak moment could fall into the arms of the other one in love?
... I don't know! maybe. And honestly I don't care, they love each other, and their sexual preferances just never were important to the story they were a part of, the only aspect that was, was the fact that they did love each other.

What makes the turtles more messed up though, is that they are brothers.. and brothers just don't do that to each other.

Raphael loves his brothers dearly, and he puts up a tough "I don't take crap." facade, but he'll do any-thing to protect them regardless. That's why we love him, that's why people keep shipping him (even though in this scenario, yes it's wrong!).. His sexual preferance . really doesn't matter at all in this connection.

If some-one feel like they can connect better to Raph if he had a secret crush on Casey jones we knew nothing about, then fine, what's the problem?

Vivi · 02-07-2013, 12:10 AM

If you mean obsessing about it on these forums, then yes. But otherwise it. is. everywhere.

*DonatelloFan* · 02-07-2013, 12:49 AM

This is the first time I've heard the term 'shipping'. I'm guessing it's a different way of saying 'relationship', I don't know. That term doesn't make sense at all.

Loudo · 02-07-2013, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Type 97 Chi-ha

If we want to get facetious, why couldn't there be a soft-shelled Turtle in the group?

I can think of no reason, can you? We've had the turtles turned into cyborgs, turtles without tail and carapace, turtles blinded...
Anyway, I don't see your point. In theory, anything can be done. Then when you write the story, you choose some elements and discard others. You can't tell me "If we had a gay turtle, then we would have to have a differently abled turtle too".
To repeat myself, I'm not saying there is to be a gay turtle. But excluding that for the reasons given in this topic is stupid, and frankly quite homophobic.

Quote:

Seriously, the only motive I could think of for having any of the characters being gay would be pandering. "Look, we've got a token homosexual!"

So, all the straight characters are there so you can have a token heterosexual? No, they're there because heterosexuality exists and so can be represented in fiction. The same applies for homosexuality. Just because it's less common, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Leonardo: Lotus Blossom (OT), Karai, (4kids and Nick), Radical (Mirage)

Raphael: Mona Lisa (OT), Ninjara (Archie), 4kids (maybe Joy?)

Michaelangelo: Kala the Neutrino and Buffy Shellhammer (OT), Sara from Savage Dragon (Image), the Regenta (Mirage). April (Movies 1 and 2)

Donatello: Alien chick (Mirage and 4kids), April (Nick).

Half of these are only in some fans' head...

Quote:

There's no reason to think otherwise when they've never been portrayed as such.

Let me clear two points.

First, the turtles' sexuality has never been an important part of their characters. It's not something the writers have chosen to develop, with only a few exceptions. Everything else was either a one issue story or wasn't really very prominent.
So, if one author chooses to focus on this aspect, they can develop it in any way they want, because while it's true that the turtles have never been portrayed as gay, they haven't for the most part been portrayed as straight either. It's all a new field to explore.

Second point. You seem to assume that if a character has shown to like a girl, then he is straight. In real life, things don't work like that:

First of all, you can find new things about your sexuality in any moment of your life. It's not something written in stone. It's full of gay guys out there who have had relationships with girls in the past, even involving sex. Even married people can find out to be gay at one point of their lives.
This is especially true when you're a teenager (since we're talking about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). Sexuality is still something to discover when you are so young. I have considered myself straight until I was 18. So the turtles can have crushes on all the girls you want. That doesn't mean they can't be gay.
Just like gay people exist, bi people exist as well. Sexuality isn't black or white. You can like and fall in love with girls and still like and fall in love with boys. One guy I know has recently married a boy, yet if you doubt his bisexuality he gets pissed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Type 97 Chi-ha

Then where would a gay Turtle go for gratification? I don't think most gay humans would want to do the nasty with a Turtle.

Again, if turtles x girls is fine (and we have seen it: Leo and Radical, Don and April) why the hell must turtles x boys be an alien concept?
And if the turtles can have relationships with female monsters (Mikey and Sara, Raph and Ninjara), why can't they have them with male monsters?

Type 97 Chi-ha · 02-07-2013, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loudo

So, all the straight characters are there so you can have a token heterosexual? No, they're there because heterosexuality exists and so can be represented in fiction. The same applies for homosexuality. Just because it's less common, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Female turtles exist too. Yet as I mentioned before, Eastman and Laird deliberately chose to have the Turtles be all male. Of course, you can have a gay Turtle. You can have April O'Neil be a transsexual if you like. But you haven't made the case there's any reason to do so other than pandering.

*Original TMNT Cartoon Fan* · 02-07-2013, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

I think of the other fandoms I'm in all they talk about is their ridiculous "shipping wars" where they actually fight with each other over which character should be paired with which character.

How serious do the fans take these "fights"?

*Candy Kappa* · 02-07-2013, 05:53 AM

One turtle should be Bisexual, the second should be Homosexual, the third should be Transexual the fourth shall be Female.

and to symbolic "race" diversity the turtles shall be 1 Box Turtle, 1 Red Eared Slider, 1 Yellow Belly Slider and the last a Diamond back.

I'm sure that will make everyone happy.

Shredded · 02-07-2013, 06:16 AM

... this threat seems to have turned into more of a discussion of principle than the actual show.

We were talking about "Fan shipping." right? What people like to do in their own spare time and how they like to make their own fan interpretation of the turtles.

Not what should happen in the show, movies or comics.

We have actual cannon stuff, and we got fandomn stuff, allright.

Fandomn stuff can base things off the cannon stuff, and the people making that can do what ever the hell they like. They can make Raphael fall in love with another dude and it's no problem. Let them!

If some-thing like the Nick show ever decided to do that... well you can count me stunned!

Not sure what I would think about that, but you gotta admit, it would be a twist. Because right now I am pretty sure that it will never ever happen
And I am sure most other people have the same mind-set, it's not even an issue, cause it wont happen.
Considering that around 30' percent of the world population have alternative sexual preferances, should we introduce characters with different sexual preferences just to have them present?
I don't know.. mostly we don't deal with sexuality at all in this show, only when it matters to the plot.
For all we know Stockman in any incanartion could be gay cause he never had any love interests. Personally I like to think he is married to his work like so many other mad scientists out there, and Michelangelo is married to Pizza.
But it honestly doesn't matter to the plot, and when it doesn't matter to the plot, we do not specify.

Turtles are not about the romances, the romances are at the very most, b-plots to the action A-plots.
Cause the show is about the action and adventure, not romance, relationships nor sexualities. We got other shows for that!

And sadly, America aren't as far as Britten, whom constantly stuff gays into the background of their Doctor who episodes.. just because they can.
John Watson has a lesbian sister now, why? ... just because.

02-06-2013, 06:07 PM	#64
pannoni1 Foot Elite Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: USA Posts: 3,447	TMNT is an action/adventure franchise with a side of comedy, in which any romance can be played out. But romance is the deepest way to build characters since it clearly expresses their caring toward others, and is why so many characters have such rabid fanbases. Romance works best when developed over seasons, not episodes since unlike action which requires quick thoughts, romance is a process that needs time to develop. That's why the April/Casey relationship worked so beautifully in the 4kids series, through gradual meeting and development. Michelangelo/Kala, Leonardo/Lotus, and Raphael/Mona Lisa all seemed radiant in terms of building a relationship it was just that there was never a chance to build them due to the demands of other adventures since there's always a case that needs to be solved. __________________ http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/sho...d.php?t=37065- MY WANT LIST TMNT FAN CLUB LINK: http://sot.ag/gCjK/ 30 years of Turtle Power!

02-06-2013, 09:15 PM	#69
Pterobat Hench Mutant Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 380	Honestly, nobody's saying there aren't social pressures for boys to watch only "boy's" things. I'm just saying that this can't be used to justify (not just explain) the lack of female characters in the TMNT franchise. People say it's okay for a girl to watch boy's things, but not for a boy to watch girl's things, and likewise, that girls can identify with male characters, but boys can't identify with female characters. That is messed up. It's also messed up to suggest one of the Turtles being gay would lead to Turtlecest, because, yeah--no. __________________ "No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality; even larks and katydids are supposed, by some, to dream"--Shirley Jackson http://pterobat.tumblr.com

02-06-2013, 10:55 PM	#71
Vegeta Hench Mutant Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 398	All I see are pictures of donatello and april together, in love, or having sex on tumblr. So.....I guess there is plenty o' shipping. __________________

02-06-2013, 11:59 PM	#73
Shredded Foot Soldier Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 228	I think the fear of turtle-cest comes from all the fan-work that genuinely pairs the turtle up with each other all the time. It's out there, we all know it's out there. Is it messed up? sure it is! Why does it happen? I guess the thing is that these turtles are sort of unique as an action team in that sense that, they are not just comrades in war, they are family, and they all love each other. Genuinly love each other behind all the rivalry, fights and other problems. What people seem to miss though, is that they love each other as close family and brothers.. because they are close family and brothers! For some reason, some people out there have difficultly handle any relationship where two characters genuinly love each other without being sexually attracted to each other. Question should be obvious. why? why can't two persons love each other as close brothers without being sexually obligated? Leave Frodo and Sam alone wont you, they have it very hard as it is.. And kirk and Spock.. and rainbow dash and applejack.. and raphael and Leonardo.. and Bilbo and Thorin oakenshield.. and Merry and Pippin.. and Sherlock Holmes and Watson <-oldest shipping couple ever right there. What all these characters have in common I just mentioned is that. Yes! they do love each other! Kirk and Spock clearly loves each other, Holmes and Watson clearly loves each other in most incarnation. Frodo and Sam loves each other, the turtles all loves each other, there is no shame in that. How-ever, at no point in their entire own franchise has any-one of these expressed any sexual desire in each other. They have expressed desire for emotional support, mere company from the other part, and expressed deep sadness when the other one is hurt, forming a deep love connection that easily could have been romantic, but isn't. Does this mean any of these characters in a weak moment could fall into the arms of the other one in love? ... I don't know! maybe. And honestly I don't care, they love each other, and their sexual preferances just never were important to the story they were a part of, the only aspect that was, was the fact that they did love each other. What makes the turtles more messed up though, is that they are brothers.. and brothers just don't do that to each other. Raphael loves his brothers dearly, and he puts up a tough "I don't take crap." facade, but he'll do any-thing to protect them regardless. That's why we love him, that's why people keep shipping him (even though in this scenario, yes it's wrong!).. His sexual preferance . really doesn't matter at all in this connection. If some-one feel like they can connect better to Raph if he had a secret crush on Casey jones we knew nothing about, then fine, what's the problem? Last edited by Shredded; 02-07-2013 at 12:27 AM.

02-07-2013, 12:49 AM	#75
DonatelloFan "The Pixel Dad" Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,764	This is the first time I've heard the term 'shipping'. I'm guessing it's a different way of saying 'relationship', I don't know. That term doesn't make sense at all. __________________ My Pixel Paintings: On this forum On Facebook Samples:

02-06-2013, 05:01 PM	#62
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,761	I usually dislike it when writers take a straight character in a show or story (who has had relationships in the show) and then have them gay as the show progresses. A good example would be Willow on Buffy the vampire slayer. Her becoming a lesbian just kinda went flat. Not to mention her love interest Tara is killed and replaced with a really terrible character.

02-06-2013, 08:55 PM	#66
IcyKali Thug Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 73	My two cents: plenty of boys secretly watched shows like the Powerpuff Girls regardless (fun fact: I'm a big PPG fan! It was originally made for an older audience). It's not that children can't sympathize with characters that are the opposite sex from them, it's just that culture gives them confusing signals, and producers (and peers, and parents, etc.) might not understand what's really important when thinking of a target audience. Remember that there are plenty of bogus psychological studies out there. As far as I can tell (note: I haven't read the comics, so keep that in mind), none of the turtles have been "confirmed" straight. They've had a few crushes, but I don't think any of them are explicitly can't be attracted to the same sex. Even if they have been, things like that are fluid--if somebody who thought they were a vegan accidentally eats some meat and likes it, what does that make them (not a perfect example, but still)? There's some food for thought (no pun intended). If you're writing a fanfiction or something, you can do whatever you want with that. It could make an interesting story, although because of the whole "mutants" thing they've had plenty of stories about acceptance already. As for shipping... I think plenty of people here ship, they just don't mention it much because they don't get the sense that people here are focused on that kind of thing. I ship, but I don't share because I'm sure members here wouldn't care for it.

02-07-2013, 12:10 AM	#74
Vivi Mad Scientist Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ninja HQ, Moon Posts: 1,076	If you mean obsessing about it on these forums, then yes. But otherwise it. is. everywhere.

02-07-2013, 05:53 AM	#79
Candy Kappa The Agenda of Existing Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vikingland Posts: 14,596	One turtle should be Bisexual, the second should be Homosexual, the third should be Transexual the fourth shall be Female. and to symbolic "race" diversity the turtles shall be 1 Box Turtle, 1 Red Eared Slider, 1 Yellow Belly Slider and the last a Diamond back. I'm sure that will make everyone happy. __________________ devianArt Instagram Youtube Tumblr Art Blog Patreon

02-07-2013, 06:16 AM	#80
Shredded Foot Soldier Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 228	... this threat seems to have turned into more of a discussion of principle than the actual show. We were talking about "Fan shipping." right? What people like to do in their own spare time and how they like to make their own fan interpretation of the turtles. Not what should happen in the show, movies or comics. We have actual cannon stuff, and we got fandomn stuff, allright. Fandomn stuff can base things off the cannon stuff, and the people making that can do what ever the hell they like. They can make Raphael fall in love with another dude and it's no problem. Let them! If some-thing like the Nick show ever decided to do that... well you can count me stunned! Not sure what I would think about that, but you gotta admit, it would be a twist. Because right now I am pretty sure that it will never ever happen And I am sure most other people have the same mind-set, it's not even an issue, cause it wont happen. Considering that around 30' percent of the world population have alternative sexual preferances, should we introduce characters with different sexual preferences just to have them present? I don't know.. mostly we don't deal with sexuality at all in this show, only when it matters to the plot. For all we know Stockman in any incanartion could be gay cause he never had any love interests. Personally I like to think he is married to his work like so many other mad scientists out there, and Michelangelo is married to Pizza. But it honestly doesn't matter to the plot, and when it doesn't matter to the plot, we do not specify. Turtles are not about the romances, the romances are at the very most, b-plots to the action A-plots. Cause the show is about the action and adventure, not romance, relationships nor sexualities. We got other shows for that! And sadly, America aren't as far as Britten, whom constantly stuff gays into the background of their Doctor who episodes.. just because they can. John Watson has a lesbian sister now, why? ... just because.