Rebecca Sugar, creator of ‘Steven Universe,’ has claimed they encountered resistance from Cartoon Network when trying to include queer characters in the show. In particular, they claim the network initially objected to Ruby and Sapphire being portrayed as a romantic couple, telling Sugar that the relationship couldn’t be written as romantic. “As expected, we got the note that these characters cannot be in a romantic relationship,” Sugar recalled. “I said, ‘They are, they sing a song about it, they’re in love, the song has already been recorded; we can’t take it out.’ And it also was just right, it’s what the story was about.” Cartoon Network ultimately allowed the characters to appear in the episode, which aired in March 2015. But, Sugar claimed that “from then on, every episode with Ruby and Sapphire was a big uphill battle, but it was one I was willing to fight.” Cartoon Network has been contacted for comment. #StevenUniverse #RebeccaSugar #animation #LGBTQIA #CartoonNetwork