TMNT 2003 embodies what it feels like to be quietly queer because it isn't physically or socially safe to be loud-and-proud (very reminiscent of early 2000's American culture), and therefore focuses on the acceptance and community of a small, found family that remains distinctly "other" throughout the series.
ROTTMNT embodies screaming queer joy from the rooftops (more reminiscent of late 2010's American culture). It acknowledges that while being queer still makes one "other," there's also an entire Hidden City worth of people who are also distinctly "other" in both similar and entirely different ways! ROTTMNT is about loud, flamboyant self-love and growth.
Each iteration is an allegory for queer experience, influenced by the sociocultural norms of its time. Both are equally important aspects of queer identity and history. In this essay, I will...
